BBC Sounds joins Spotify’s Megaphone and unveils new Audio Lab talentNew podcast commissions and returning hits at The Podcast ShowAs listening habits continue to change and audiences are increasingly listening to the BBC’s audio content on-demand, BBC Sounds continues to evolve as we explore a range of successful tactics to grow the platform and connecting people to the music, radio and podcasts they love, anytime, anywhereOFFICIAL PRESS RELEASENEWS PROVIDED BY BBC Sounds BBC Sounds continues to champion the growing UK podcast sector as it joins Spotify’s Megaphone, an industry leading podcast publishing and monetisation platform. With Megaphone’s technology, we will be able to dynamically recommend relevant content to audiences on other podcast platforms in the UK, helping listeners discover more brilliant audio they’ll love from across the BBC, wherever they listen. Thanks to this new approach, we will transform the way we highlight BBC programmes on other podcast platforms, demonstrating our commitment to the growing podcast listenership in the UK. Podcasting icon Jon Ronson announces the return of the phenomenally popular and acclaimed BBC Radio 4 podcast Things Fell Apart for a second series in 2024, and the long awaited Chapter Four of George The Poet’s groundbreaking Peabody Award winning Have You Have You Heard George’s Podcast? launches this autumn. Plus details of a raft of exciting new commissions from across the BBC networks are also revealed including The Good, The Bad and The Wealthy with Zing Tsjeng and Simon Jack, The Gatekeepers with Jamie Bartlett, Danny Robins’ Haunting History, Child with India Rakusen and more. Following an ARIA Gold award for Best New Podcast forged from the inaugural Audio Lab accelerator programme, BBC Sounds is thrilled to announce our five new creators for 2023 and for the first time, two independent production teams – Mags Creative and Three Arrows Media – who will partner with us and help turn the creators’ ideas into a series of brilliant new podcasts for the platform. As listening habits continue to change and audiences are increasingly listening to the BBC’s audio content on-demand, BBC Sounds continues to evolve as we explore a range of successful tactics to grow the platform and connecting people to the music, radio and podcasts they love, anytime, anywhere. Jonathan Wall, Director BBC Sounds says: “We are delighted that our partnership with Megaphone by Spotify will transform the way we can signpost new and returning BBC podcasts. And Audio Lab is a new talent scheme the whole of BBC radio are proud of. We look forward to showcasing all this and more at the 2023 Podcast Show.” Mohit Bakaya, Director Speech Audio and Controller BBC Radio 4 and 4extra says: “Today we’re announcing a raft of exciting new titles which showcase the brilliant journalism, storytelling and talent you’d expect from the BBC. I’m delighted that those master podcasters, Jon Ronson and George the Poet, will each be returning to conjure up new tales, set in lush soundscapes, for your listening pleasure. I am also really pleased to announce the launch of Child – a major new project telling the story of child development, from conception onwards, presented by the brilliant India Rakusen – the brains behind the groundbreaking 28-ish Days Later.” BBC Sounds Audio Lab Following ARIA Gold award win by Tommy Dixon for Colouring In Britain for Best New Podcast, BBC Sounds names a new group of creators being fast-tracked to transform their ideas into world class podcasts with Audio Lab at The Podcast Show. Chosen from hundreds of applicants, five fresh talents will be immersed in a unique accelerator programme backed by a comprehensive package of practical and professional training while embedded with one of Audio Lab’s five production partners located across the UK. After a competitive tender process, two independent producers join BBC Scotland Production in Glasgow, BBC Long Form Audio in Salford and BBC Audio Pop & Speech podcasts in London to lead on development and production for each creator. Founded by sisters Hannah and Faith Russell in 2018, Mags Creative now boasts a team of 20 and produces critically acclaimed lifestyle; climate and branded audio. Manchester based indie Three Arrows Media was co-founded in 2015 by BAFTA-winning executive Jon Hancock and creates video and audio content for multiple platforms in Children’s, Education and Factual. From exploring collective ownership, to the impact of the Stanlow Oil Refinery and the West African talking drum instrument, BBC sounds Audio Lab returns with unheard experiences and untold stories from a range of diverse new voices. Khaliq Meer, Commissioning Executive, Audio Lab says: “This time last year I said I couldn’t wait to hear what our first year Creators would do and they didn’t disappoint one bit. For Tommy Dixon to go on and win the ARIA Gold award for Best New Podcast at the UK’s biggest audio awards is a fantastic endorsement of his vision and the creative innovation of Colouring in Britain. Huge congratulations to Tommy and all our first-year trailblazers. I’m also thrilled we’re back with a new Audio Lab programme doing even more to amplify and nurture new grassroots talent. Plus, we’re working with more BBC teams across the UK as well as awarding first-time BBC podcast production commissions to two indies so we can support more growth and stronger collaboration in the audio sector. I’m super excited about what’s to come!” BBC Sounds Audio Lab year two creators:May Robson (BBC Scotland Productions) George Powell (Long Form Audio, BBC News - Salford) Taqwa Sadiq (BBC Audio Speech & Music Podcasts – London) Hometown Boring? (w/t) spotlights towns and cities considered unattractive or branded “rubbish” and “boring”. Is that really true and will delving into their recent histories reveal something different? It's time to hear if Luton and Hull deserve to be held in as much esteem as London and Edinburgh. Seun Matiluko (Three Arrows Media – Salford) New podcast commissionsFrom a landmark documentary about the development of a child, to the conspiracy theories about Avril Lavigne, a range of distinctive new podcasts will be announced at the Podcast Show today. With more people than ever listening to podcasts, the format is opening up new approaches to journalism and narrative storytelling, bringing the BBC’s unparalleled investigations and brilliant new voices to a wider audience. Child The Good the Bad and the Wealthy (w/t) Haunted History The Gatekeepers Go Figure (w/t) Who Killed Avril Lavigne? Call Jonathan Pie
Source BBC Sounds
May 25, 2023 4:00am ET by Pressparty |