Dispatches

Dispatches (1987- )

RunningDocumentary show

Dispatches is the British TV current affairs documentary series on Channel 4, first transmitted in 1987. The programme covers issues about British society, politics, health,religion, international current affairs and the environment, and often features a mole inside organisations under journalistic investigation.

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Scheduleevery Monday

Last Episode

Will My Summer Holiday Be Cancelled?
Year 2026Episode 560 min

Will My Summer Holiday Be Cancelled?

Kate Quilton investigates the uncertainty over summer holidays, ever since the Iran War sent jet fuel prices soaring and caused thousands of flights to be cancelled. She finds out whether foreign holidays are now out of the question or if the opposite is true, with bargains to be had. She also explores whether holidaying in the UK could be a smarter alternative.

Jun 5, 2026

Next Episode

Hunting the Debt Predators
Year 2026Episode 660 min

Hunting the Debt Predators

With the cost of living leaving many people struggling to stay afloat, Dispatches meets the everyday people pushed into exploitative and dangerous situations. Last year, almost two million people in Britain turned to illegal money lenders for help. And some are resorting to taking out unregulated loans offered on social media. Reporter Ellie Flynn goes undercover to meet the men exploiting cash-strapped and vulnerable people, uncovering sexual predators who prey on women who are struggling to make ends meet and organised criminals recruiting unknowing victims. She also hears from the people forced into tough choices to pay the bills - from a nurse who has become a 'full-service escort' to a police officer who is postponing thoughts of retirement to work two jobs.

Jun 12, 2026

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
2026-06-05Will My Summer Holiday Be Cancelled?Jun 5, 2026
2026-05-29Hunting Britain's FugitivesMay 29, 2026
2026-04-02Click to Kill: The AI War MachineApr 2, 2026
2026-03-27Keir Starmer: Where Did It All Go Wrong?Mar 27, 2026
2026-01-22Palestine Action: The Truth Behind the Ban: DispatchesJan 22, 2026
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

When did Dispatches premiere?

Dispatches premiered on October 26, 1987.

Who produced the show?

The show was produced by Channel Four Television.

What was the genre of Dispatches?

Dispatches was a current affairs program that focused on investigative journalism.

How often would Dispatches air?

Dispatches aired on a weekly basis.

Who were some of the notable journalists who worked on Dispatches?

John Pilger, Paul Foot, and David Leigh were some of the notable journalists who worked on Dispatches.

What was the most controversial episode of Dispatches?

The most controversial episode of Dispatches was 'The Garden Centre Murders' which investigated the brutal murders of two women in a garden center in Southampton.

How long was each episode of Dispatches?

Each episode of Dispatches was typically 30 minutes in length.

What was the format of each episode of Dispatches?

Each episode of Dispatches featured typically one in-depth investigation into a specific topic or current affairs event.

What was the name of the theme music used in Dispatches?

The name of the theme music used in Dispatches was 'Hard News' by Bill Johnstone.

What was the most viewed episode of Dispatches?

There is no publicly available information on what the most viewed episode of Dispatches was.

What was the main criticism of Dispatches?

The main criticism of Dispatches was its bias towards left-wing politics.

How many journalists worked on each episode of Dispatches?

The number of journalists who worked on each episode of Dispatches varies depending on the subject matter and length of the investigation.

Was Dispatches ever nominated for any awards?

Yes, Dispatches was nominated for several awards including BAFTAs and the Royal Television Society Awards.

What was the most awarded episode of Dispatches?

There is no publicly available information on what the most awarded episode of Dispatches was.

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