Ozen.fm, a global audio monetization network and curated podcast marketplace, today announced a strategic partnership with NumberEight, a leader in ID-less audience intelligence, to deliver more scalable and effective podcast targeting across its global ecosystem. 

Through this partnership, Ozen.fm will integrate NumberEight’s AI-powered audience intelligence into its platform, enabling advertisers to access more precise audience segments built from contextual signals and demographic modeling, without relying on personal identifiers. 

Ozen.fm connects podcasters, advertisers, and listeners through a scalable, multilingual platform spanning thousands of podcasts across dozens of countries and languages, offering brand-safe, contextually targeted inventory at a global scale.

By incorporating NumberEight’s technology, Ozen.fm enhances its ability to deliver smarter, data-driven podcast campaigns, turning content and audience signals into scalable, actionable audience segments. NumberEight’s AI combines contextual analysis, demographic modeling and privacy-safe data signals to help advertisers reach relevant podcast audiences without relying on personal identifiers in over 100 languages. 

“This partnership is about unlocking the next level of intelligence in audio,” said Rodrigo Tigre, Co-Founder and President of Ozen.fm. “We’ve built a platform focused on global scale, curation, and monetization. With NumberEight, we’re adding a smarter layer of audience intelligence that helps advertisers to connect with listeners more meaningfully and more effectively than ever before.”

NumberEight’s technology brings a new level of precision to audio advertising by analyzing contextual signals and demographic patterns to create scalable audience segments, enabling brands to deliver more relevant messaging to the right listeners.

“Audio has long lacked scalable, privacy-compliant targeting,” said Emma Raz, Commercial Director at NumberEight. “By partnering with Ozen.fm, we’re bringing our audience intelligence to a truly global, multilingual marketplace, helping advertisers reach the right listeners with confidence, while empowering publishers to increase the value of their inventory.”

As podcasting continues to expand across borders and formats, this partnership gives brands a more advanced way to activate scalable podcast audiences, combining contextual relevance with audience intelligence built specifically for the medium.  

Together, Ozen.fm and NumberEight are setting a new standard for how audio campaigns are planned, targeted, and optimized, delivering smarter outcomes for advertisers and stronger monetization opportunities for creators worldwide.

Flightpath, the industry’s leading inventory management solution and predictive analytics platform for on-demand media, today announced the upcoming launch of Revenue Optimizer, a managed traffic service designed to help publishers maximize revenue, improve campaign delivery, and create greater operational flexibility across podcast and digital audio inventory.

Flightpath CEO Sean Howard will officially unveil Revenue Optimizer during a live session at The Podcast Show London on Wednesday, May 20th at 2:00 PM on the Brand Stage.

Built on Flightpath’s predictive forecasting technology and one-year future inventory projections, Revenue Optimizer enables publishers to increase revenue, deliver on sales promises, and transcend the limitations of traditional DAI platforms. 

“We realized that our predictive campaign performance and flight simulator products opened the door to solving a much larger problem for Ops teams: holistic campaign management,” shares Laurie Belleau, CRO of Flightpath. “The initial test of Revenue Optimizer generated an 8% lift in revenue performance tied directly to optimization improvements.”

The solution leverages Flightpath’s forecasting engine and Flight Simulator capabilities to identify and execute the best optimization path across interconnected campaigns and platforms.

When a campaign underperforms, ad operations teams often have limited options available to improve delivery without negatively impacting other campaigns. Adjusting one parameter, such as priority, can create a domino effect across an entire portfolio. Revenue Optimizer evaluates the full cascade of those impacts in real time and predicts future performance to optimize accordingly.

Based on a holistic approach to campaign management, Revenue Optimizer analyzes all managed orders together to determine and execute the best possible solution across interconnected inventory, placements, and delivery systems. Teams maintain operational control over which campaigns and flights are actively managed by the optimizer, while also gaining access to recommendation engines that surface revenue opportunities and improvement scenarios for unmanaged flights.

Key capabilities include:

• Managed traffic optimization across delivery platforms
• Holistic portfolio-level campaign analysis
• Operational flexibility and managed traffic controls
• Recommendation engines for unmanaged flights
• Optimization of future inventory availability
• Support for Spotify’s evolving yield infrastructure for Megaphone publishers

In addition to maximizing revenue and sell-through, Revenue Optimizer helps publishers organize placements to preserve future inventory availability, identify opportunities on inventory-constrained shows, and create operational efficiencies across teams and platforms.

For inquiries about Flightpath, contact laurie@flightpath.fm.

With nearly 10 million Australians tuning into podcasts every month, the appetite for audio content has never been stronger. Now, one of the country’s acclaimed podcast producers is channeling a decade of industry experience into a brand-new facility purpose-built for creators who are ready to be heard. Talent Studios, a full-service, state-of-the-art podcast studio has officially opened its doors in Five Dock, in Sydney’s Inner West.

Talent Studios is the vision of Pariya Taherzadeh, a globally recognised executive podcast producer whose credits span Australia's most trusted broadcasters and streamers, including Netflix, ABC, SBS, and more. A refugee-turned-global -award-winner in both local and international circles, Taherzadeh has spent the better part of a decade shaping the sound of Australian audio and identifying a persistent gap in what studios were able to offer.

“In my past decade of working in the industry and producing audio, the studios were still missing a lot to satisfy not just my needs as a producer but also my clients. So I wanted to bring that well-equipped, versatile and cosy studio to life.” says Pariya Taherzadeh the founder of Talent Studios. (Pic: Amir Dabbaghian)

Talent Studios is fully wheelchair accessible, welcoming every creator through its doors. Committed to making professional podcast production available to all, the studio offers flexible pricing options to suit every budget, including subsidised rates for students, not-for-profits, and startups. 

The space also features a custom-built, noiseless air conditioning system designed specifically for the studio, ensuring a comfortable recording environment. 

For those driving in, dedicated parking including one with EV charging outlets is available on-site.

The space is designed to serve creators at every stage of the podcasting journey. From initial concept through to final delivery, the studio offers a comprehensive suite of services including consultations, scriptwriting, production, and post-production. For established creators and production teams who prefer to work independently, Talent Studios is also available for dry hire, giving access to a world-class recording environment without the full-service package. 

The result is an end-to-end creative environment that takes the complexity out of content creation, making podcasting "the easiest task in a creator's life," as Taherzadeh describes it.

The launch comes at a pivotal moment for Australian audio as podcasting continues to disrupt traditional media consumption patterns, with the local market among the fastest-growing in the world. Yet despite soaring listener numbers, many Australian creators have struggled to access the kind of professional infrastructure that matches the ambition of their content. Talent Studios aims to change that.

Bookings will open to public on Wednesday 20th of May: https://talentstudios.com.au 

For audio plays from across the BBC including BBC Sport, BBC News, BBC Bitesize and visualised podcasts on iPlayer, there was an average weekly audience of 5.8 million, peaking at a record 7.2 million during the week of The Traitors: Uncloaked finale (w/c 19th January), an increase of a million plays on the previous quarter’s peak.

Beyond BBC platforms, our podcasts and on demand radio programmes were downloaded 231 million times on third-party platforms last quarter. Audiences continued to discover our programmes on socials with a total of 1.1 billion social video views of BBC audio content between January and March, up 21% compared with the same period last year.

Between January and March, there were 265 million plays of on demand radio and podcast content, alongside 1.5 million plays of music mixes on BBC Sounds. Additionally, there were 11 million signed-in accounts across the quarter.

Mohit Bakaya, Controller of BBC Radio 4 and Director of BBC Speech Audio, said DRAFT QUOTE: “This has been another exceptional quarter for our speech audio output, with audiences continuing to seek out distinctive storytelling and shared cultural moments. From the enduring popularity of The Archers in its 75th anniversary year, to the continued strength of In Our Time and the immersive storytelling of Uncanny, it’s clear that our programmes remain at the heart of how audiences connect with BBC audio.   It’s especially encouraging to see how these titles are finding new and younger listeners alongside their loyal audiences, whether on BBC Sounds, via third party platforms or in visualised form. It speaks to the timeless appeal of great speech content, rooted in creativity, originality and trust, and our ongoing commitment to championing the very best storytelling from across the UK.”

Jonathan Wall, Director, BBC Sounds said: “BBC Sounds has had a brilliant start to 2026. It’s great to see audiences coming in record numbers, and also finding our content through podcasts and socials off platform. I’m pleased to see younger listeners enjoying new titles like Game’s Gone: The Steve Bracknell Podcast and Audio Lab’s MF Doom: Long Island to Leeds, which show the value of backing fresh ideas and distinctive new voices. It’s also great to see some of our Tour de Force famous shows like The Archers, Desert Island Discs and In Our Time, in fine form.”

In its 75th anniversary year, The Archers continued to prove its enduring appeal. A gripping ‘whodunnit’ storyline kept listeners on the edge of their seat and making it the most popular on demand radio programme overall and the second most listened to among under 35s, behind long time favourite, Elis James and John Robins.

With new presenter Misha Glenny, In Our Time continued to be one of the most popular on demand radio programmes on BBC Sounds, for all adults and for listeners under‑35 listeners. Desert Island Discs and Radio 1 Breakfast with Greg James also performed strongly with both broad and younger audiences.

During another intense news cycle, Newscast was the most listened to podcast of the quarter for all adults and for under 35 year olds, and Americast ranked as the second most popular podcast among all adults.

Following another exceptional series, The Traitors: Uncloaked retained its faithful audience by placing in the top ten podcasts for adults of all ages on BBC Sounds, as well as helping drive younger listeners to the platform as the second most popular podcast for under 35 year olds.

Following the New Year’s Day recreation of its first-ever episode with members of the cast playing their ancestors, The Archers Podcast secured a place in the top ten for listeners of all ages.

Greg James captured younger listeners’ hearts on his Longest Ride for Comic Relief, helping Radio 1’s All Day Breakfast with Greg James pick up highest proportion of under 35 year olds. As we secured the streaming rights to ‘the biggest football match in Sunday League history’ between the Royal Oak and Nags Head, Game’s Gone: The Steve Bracknell Podcast was also among the top ten podcasts with the highest proportion of younger listeners, followed by one of the acclaimed new podcasts from this year’s BBC Sounds Audio Lab cohort, MF Doom: Long Island to Leeds.

The Sleeping Forecast was the most listened to BBC Music Mix in Q1, followed by Radio 1’s Dance Anthems and Mindful Mix.

Podcast acquisitions performed well last quarter, led once more by Sherlock Holmes Short Stories. A Short History Of... ranked second and The Rest Is History was third.

The Global News Podcast was the most downloaded programme globally on third party platforms, followed by 6 Minute English and Newscast.

Podstock analyzed thousands of episodes which were released in video on both Spotify and YouTube for an apples to apples comparison. The results were strikingly consistent- in 95% of episodes, Spotify audiences spent more time with content than viewers on YouTube for the same episode. This demonstrates that on average a Spotify stream is a stronger signal of audience engagement than a YouTube view- and likely more valuable to advertisers.

While time spent is an important metric for determining how well a show reaches its core audience, it can be misleading when focusing on discovery and reaching new audiences. According to Podstock, as episodes are surfaced to new audiences, the average time spent per stream/view tends to decrease because new listeners are more likely to sample content before deciding whether to continue, which lowers average time spent as total reach increases.

This dynamic helps explain the 5% of episodes where YouTube outperformed Spotify on time spent. In many of these cases, episodes experienced significant discovery spikes on Spotify, driving stream counts well above a show’s typical baseline. That influx of new listeners lowered average time spent per stream as overall streams increased.

“Today, Spotify streams are a more valuable indicator of fandom and advertiser value than YouTube views,” said Michael Paretzky, CEO of Podstock. “But that’s only half the story. Time spent is incredibly valuable for understanding engagement with your core audience, but it often moves in the opposite direction when you’re investing in growth. The best podcast companies of the future will be able to seamlessly operate across multiple metrics in order to serve existing fans, expand to new audiences, and drive performance for advertisers.”

According to Podstock, the takeaway is not that one platform or metric is inherently more valuable, but that performance depends on context and goals. It’s important that creators and publishers investing in discoverability expect time spent to fluctuate and to interpret it alongside reach and distribution metrics.

“We’re increasingly focused on metrics like average view duration and time spent to understand the quality of engagement across platforms,” said Andy Hodgson, CFO at Goalhanger. “Looking at time spent relative to total deliveries or content length gives us a much clearer view of how audiences are actually consuming our shows. Being able to track and compare those metrics through Podstock is critical for how we evaluate performance and make decisions about growth.”

As podcasting continues to expand across platforms and formats, the need for consistent cross-platform measurement is becoming more important. In today’s fragmented media landscape, time spent is emerging as a more meaningful indicator of value than reach alone.

To learn more about Podstock’s analytics suite email hello@podstock.io.

Methodology

Podstock’s findings are based on an anonymized analysis of thousands of full-length video podcast episodes published on both Spotify and YouTube within the same release window. The analysis compares Spotify minutes per stream against YouTube minutes per view over the first 30 days after release, limited to episodes that had completed a full 30-day measurement window on both platforms. Each matched episode was treated as one observation, and results were reviewed using both median and mean values to reduce the risk that large shows, viral spikes, or other outliers drove the overall finding. Episode matching was powered by Podstock’s content association engine, which maps the same underlying podcast episode across platforms, and analyzed through Podstock’s cross-platform analytics suite.

Sony Digital Imaging will exhibit at The Podcast Show for the first time on 20-21 May 2026 at the Business Design Centre in London, showcasing its integrated set of broadcast-grade production tools for video podcasters and content creators of all sizes.  

Visitors to Stand C11 will experience the breadth of Sony’s broadcast ecosystem - spanning 4K cinematic cameras, broadcast-grade audio, intelligent workflow software and professional displays - that is transforming the way leading podcasters and studios capture, manage and distribute professional-quality content.  

Sony’s Digital Imaging team will also host two "Ask the Expert" sessions during the show – The Tech Behind Successful Video Podcasts – bringing together the creators behind ADHD Chatter, Laughing Around and Vaudeville to share their experiences of how technology has shaped the growth and quality of their shows. The sessions take place at the Ask The Expert Venue on Wednesday 20 May, 10:50am – 11:30am and Thursday 21 May, 13:40pm – 14:20pm. 

Sony Digital Imaging's debut at the show reflects burgeoning demand for professional content production – and the technology behind it – from independent creators, corporate communications teams and dedicated podcast studios across Europe. With audiences expecting every show to have the look and feel of a major production, and short-form clips on social media now the primary gateway to long-form engagement, it has become imperative to capture audiences with standout, video-led content across every format and every platform. 

Under the theme of Capture & Connect, Sony will showcase: 

• Cinema Line cameras, including the FX30, FX2, FX3, FX6 and FR7;  
• A comprehensive range of G Master lenses 
• Professional audio equipment including the C-80 microphone 
• BRAVIA Professional Displays as a studio backdrop, reference monitors and to show live multi-camera feeds
• Workflow software and apps for end-to-end production efficiency 

Mike Williams, Head of Business Development Engineering, Sony Europe, comments: “Sony sits at the intersection of broadcast, cinematography and pro AV, and we are proud to bring our combined heritage to the podcasting and content creation markets. Creators are only just beginning to recognise how professional production can dramatically transform their storytelling and their brand, and the current strength of demand is exactly why we've made The Podcast Show a priority. 

“Our range of Cinema Line cameras, including the FR7 – the flagship Pan-Tilt-Zoom – the FX series and even the BURANO and VENICE, which are renowned for their rich, filmic images they bring to the big screen, are now finding a natural home in podcast studios across Europe. Crucially, it is the growing sophistication of our software that ties everything together – from the Monitor & Control app to Ci Media Cloud and our SDK toolset – allowing lean teams to operate with the efficiency of a broadcast crew at a fraction of the cost. This is the key to eliminating the friction between creative vision and technical execution.” 

Sony's Software Development Kit (SDK) allows production teams to automate camera control, define preset lighting and audio profiles, and build fully customised workflows. The Monitor and Control app extends this further, giving operators remote oversight of multiple cameras from a tablet, while Ci Media Cloud ensures that editing, review and asset management happen seamlessly within a shared environment, regardless of where teams are based. 

At the show, Sony’s team of specialists will be on hand to answer technical questions, provide live demonstrations and share insight into how broadcast-grade solutions can be made accessible for any production scale.  

Sony Digital Imaging has a fast-growing customer base of podcasters, studios, broadcasters and independent content creators using its technology ecosystem to elevate their productions. These include Vaudeville, the London-based audio and video production studio whose customers include Netflix, Amazon, Disney, BBC and Channel 4; and OMR / Podstars in Hamburg, one of Germany's leading media and marketing brands. 

About Sony Corporation 

Sony Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation and is responsible for the Entertainment, Technology & Services (ET&S) business. With the mission to "create the future of entertainment through the power of technology together with creators,” we aim to continue to deliver Kando* to people around the world.

Kando is a Japanese word that roughly translates to the sense of awe and emotion you feel when experiencing something beautiful and amazing for the first time.

Little Dot Studios, the social media agency, digital media network and multi-platform production company, has announced the addition of a new in-house podcast and video recording studio at its London headquarters. The facility will initially centralise production for History Hit, the podcast, SVOD and content platform network founded by Dan Snow, as it scales its visualised podcast output and multi-platform distribution strategy, and provide a dedicated space for future formats and original productions.

This studio will bring All3Media-owned Little Dot Studios and History Hit’s talent, production and post-production workflows together within a single, integrated environment, facilitating an increase in overall content output. As podcast consumption increasingly shifts towards video and multi-platform distribution, the space has been designed to support both video-first productions and the adaptation of audio podcasts into visual formats.

Designed with scale and flexibility in mind, the studio features a multi-camera setup, interchangeable backdrops and adaptable lighting to support a range of formats and creative approaches. It also incorporates integrated monitor systems to enable collaboration between in-person guests and remote contributors, all operated via a dedicated control room equipped for live production and technical direction. The studio is fully networked with on-site edit suites and the wider Little Dot Studios production infrastructure, supporting efficient delivery across FAST, SVOD and social channels.

History Hit currently produces eight always-on podcast brands with a combined output of 16 episodes per week. In 2025, the network delivered more than 800 episodes across its slate, primarily in audio format. By the end of 2026, History Hit is on track to surpass 1,000 episodes annually, all produced in full video, significantly expanding premium cross-platform inventory opportunities for advertising partners. Existing flagship shows including After Dark, Dan Snow’s History Hit and The Ancients are already produced in video and will transition into the new studio.

The network has also received industry recognition, winning Silver for Network of the Year at the British Podcast Awards in 2023 and 2025, while Betwixt the Sheets won the Listener’s Choice Award in 2025.

Steve Lanham, Head of Podcasts at History Hit, said: “As podcasts expand across video and new platforms, we’re able to reach new audiences while continuing to serve our core listeners. This new studio allows us to bring our teams and talent together in one space, giving us greater creative control while maintaining the quality our audience expects.”

Alex Hryniewicz, Managing Director, Network Social Platforms at Little Dot Studios, said: “This investment reflects the continued growth of History Hit and the wider shift towards video-led content. By building this capability in-house, we’re not only supporting high-volume podcast production, but also creating a flexible, scalable space to develop more video-led content across Little Dot Studios and its subsidiaries, History Hit and WING.”

The new facility is now complete and will enable Little Dot Studios to further expand their visual podcast production while continuing to experiment with new formats and storytelling approaches.

"We wanted to create a space where we could actually help people solve the 'boring' parts of podcasting—the manual deals and spreadsheets that stop you from growing," says Matty Staudt. "This isn't a sales pitch; it’s a huddle. We're providing the tools and education for free because when creators and networks understand how to build proper infrastructure, the entire industry wins."

KEY DISCUSSION TOPICS:

• Strategic alignment: Moving from "manual deals" to high-impact partnerships.
• Creating real ROI: Delivering results that keep advertisers coming back.
• Infrastructure over audience: Why power of voice matters more than just number of downloads.

Registration: This event is FREE to attend. Register here

The board brings together experienced leaders from across podcast production, business development, finance, education, media, and professional services to help guide the organization’s continued growth and long-term impact.

The inaugural Board brings together experienced leaders from across the industry, including Traci DeForge, President and Co-Founder; Jenn Trepeck, Vice President and Co-Founder; Allison Booker; David Hoffman; and Steve Stewart.

Founded in 2024, the Podcast Professionals Association is a dedicated industry organization for podcast service professionals, focused on education, connection, advocacy, professional standards, and business development. Since its launch, PPA has grown to more than 70 vetted members, reflecting a high standard of experience and industry commitment, and hosted more than 24 member events focused on professional and industry development.

The Association has established strategic partnerships with organizations, including Shure, Podnews, HARO, and Featured. PPA has participated in leading industry events, including: Podcast Movement, Podfest, Empowered Podcasting Conference, and Podcasting Hall of Fame.

Additionally, the association has launched new member benefits, including Health insurance, Ancillary health, and Financial benefits, all of which are designed specifically to support independent professionals and small businesses in the podcast industry.

“This board represents an important milestone for the Podcast Professionals Association,” said Traci DeForge, Co-Founder and President of PPA. “From the beginning, our goal has been to create a professional home for the people and companies powering the podcast industry. As the industry continues to mature, podcast service professionals need access to community, education, trusted resources, and business support. This board gives us the leadership structure to expand that mission with intention.”

About the Podcast Professionals Association

The Podcast Professionals Association is a trade association for individuals and businesses working in and around the podcast industry. Its members include podcast producers, editors, marketers, consultants, agencies, service providers, technology companies, and other professionals who contribute to the creation, growth, monetization, and sustainability of podcasts.

PPA provides members with educational programming, networking opportunities, business resources, professional development, strategic partnerships, and access to benefits designed to support podcast professionals at every stage of business growth.

The Association was founded to help raise the standard of professionalism across the podcast industry while creating a collaborative community where podcast professionals can learn, connect, and grow.

Inaugural Board of Directors

This leadership team brings together a diverse range of expertise in production, business growth, and financial oversight to champion the interests of podcast professionals globally.

Traci DeForge, President and Co-Founder

Traci DeForge is the Founder and CEO of Produce Your Podcast, a full-service podcast production and marketing agency helping business owners, brands, and thought leaders use podcasting as a strategic business growth channel. A longtime podcast industry leader, speaker, and entrepreneur, DeForge co-founded the Podcast Professionals Association to create a professional organization dedicated to the people and businesses building the podcast industry.

Jennifer Trepeck, Vice President and Co-Founder

Jennifer Trepeck serves as Vice President and Co-Founder of the Podcast Professionals Association. A distinguished podcast consultant and host of "Salad with a Side of Fries," Trepeck has been instrumental in helping podcasters grow their audiences and monetize their content effectively. As a founding leader of the organization, she has played an instrumental role in shaping PPA’s mission, member experience, and early growth. Her work supports the Association’s commitment to education, collaboration, and the professional advancement of the podcast industry.

Allison Booker, Board Member

Allison Booker is an audit manager and Director of Professional Staff at a public accounting firm in Tucson, Arizona, where she oversees audit and tax professionals. She is also a Certified Fraud Examiner through the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners and brings more than 15 years of experience in audit, compliance, and nonprofit financial oversight. Booker also helped co-found the Southern Arizona chapter of the ACFE and has extensive audit experience with 501(c)(6) membership organizations, including chambers of commerce and other business associations.

David Hoffman, Board Member

David is the Founder and Principal of CitizenRacecar, which produces branded podcast series for large nonprofit organizations and NGOs, government agencies, and forward-looking corporations and brands. Their unique education program, Afterschool Podcasting, has taught audio storytelling to children in hundreds of schools from New York to California. Hoffman brings more than 15 years of leadership in production companies and a strong commitment to elevating long-form audio and professional standards across the podcast industry, adding a strategic perspective and a clear focus on advancing podcasting as a mature and respected media category.

Steve Stewart, Board Member

Steve is the Podcast Editor for some of the biggest indie personal finance podcasts like the Stacking Benjamins Show, Afford Anything, and the MilMo Show. He also created the Podcast Editors Club, now with over 9,000 members, and co-founded the Podcast Editor Academy, which helps individuals build their own podcast services business, positioning him as a key voice for independent editors and service providers.

“PPA’s first year has proven there is a real need for a professional association dedicated specifically to this industry,” said DeForge. “The podcast ecosystem is made up of highly skilled professionals who are often building businesses, supporting clients, navigating rapid industry change, and creating the infrastructure behind successful shows. PPA exists to support those professionals and help the industry grow in a more connected, sustainable, and credible way.”

With its inaugural board in place, PPA will continue expanding member programming, strategic partnerships, professional development opportunities, and resources designed to help podcast professionals build stronger businesses and contribute to the continued growth of the industry.

The Podcast Academy (TPA), the leading professional organization dedicated to the podcasting community, announced today this year’s recipients of its international honors. The Rest Is History from Goalhanger will receive the International Governor’s Award, recognizing a podcast based or set outside of the United States for their compelling and long term influence on the industry, while Wisecrack from Tenderfoot TV & iHeartPodcasts will receive the International Impact Award, recognizing a podcast or individual based or set outside of the United States whose recent work has had a significant, positive impact on the global podcasting landscape.

The awards will be accepted on May 20th at The Podcast Show London by Senior Producer Callum Hill and Producers Tabby Syrett and Aaliyah Akude of The Rest Is History and the host of Wisecrack, Jodi Tovay, alongside the subject of the series, Edd Hedges. The awards will be presented by TPA Executive Director Ami Thakkar and a member of TPA Board of Governors, Arielle Nissenblatt with a special guest appearance by BBC World Service and BBC Radio 4 Reporter, Krupa Padhy.

TPA’s Awards for Excellence in Audio, popularly known as The Ambies, celebrates outstanding achievement in audio and elevates awareness and status of podcasts as a unique and personal medium for entertainment, information, storytelling, and expression.

“The Rest Is History and Wisecrack are two shows that remind you why people fall in love with podcasts in the first place,” said Christy Mirabal, chairperson of TPA. “One makes history feel alive and genuinely fun to listen to, and the other takes on dark subject matter with humor, care, and a real point of view. Both have built global audiences by having distinct voices and backing that up with real craft. We’re thrilled to recognize their impact.”

The Rest Is History, co-hosted by historians Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook, is the world’s most popular history podcast and was named Apple Podcasts’ Podcast of the Year in 2025. Known for its engaging, deeply researched storytelling, the show has brought history to a global audience, redefining how the genre can inform and entertain at scale.

Tom Holland is an award-winning historian, translator, and broadcaster. His most recent book, Pax, explores the height of the Roman Empire, and he has translated classical works for Penguin Classics. He is co-presenter of The Rest Is History and has written and presented numerous television documentaries. He serves as a trustee of both the British Library and the British Museum and holds several honorary academic and cultural positions.

Dominic Sandbrook is one of Britain’s most prominent historians and broadcasters and co-presenter of The Rest Is History. A Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, he is the bestselling author of multiple acclaimed histories and has written and presented numerous BBC documentaries. He is also a longtime newspaper columnist and co-host of Goalhanger’s The Book Club.

Wisecrack, hosted by Jodi Tovay and based on the comedy set and firsthand experience of British comic Edd Hedges, has emerged as a truly international success, with the majority of its audience based outside of the United States. Blending comedy and true crime, the podcast explores deeper themes of mental health and systemic failures within the UK’s criminal justice and healthcare systems. The show has received widespread acclaim, including being named “Best Podcast of 2025” by The Guardian and one of the “Best Shows of 2025” by Apple Podcasts across multiple global markets.

Jodi Tovay is a five-time Ambie and iHeart Award–winning producer and host of Wisecrack. She is also a four-time Emmy®-nominated and Telly Award–winning producer with over two decades of experience in documentary storytelling. Based in Atlanta, she serves as a Principal at Starwipe Productions and Rainbow Heads Productions.

Edd Hedges is a UK-based stand-up comedian who gained recognition after winning the “So You Think You’re Funny?” competition at the Edinburgh Fringe at age 19. His storytelling inspired the creation of Wisecrack, for which he earned an Ambie for Best Scriptwriting - Nonfiction. He has performed internationally and continues to build a reputation for his distinctive narrative style.

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL GOVERNOR’S AWARD

Chosen by the Podcast Academy’s Board of Governors the International Governor’s Award was introduced in 2025 as an extension of the Awards for Excellence in Audio, better known as The Ambies. This honor recognizes an individual or podcast based or set outside of the United States for their compelling and long-term influence on the industry. The inaugural recipient of the International Governor’s Award was Steven Bartlett, creator and host of The Diary of a CEO, the second-biggest interview podcast in the world and the fastest-growing podcast globally.

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL IMPACT AWARD

Introduced in 2025 alongside the International Governor's Award, the International Impact Award continues the legacy of honoring impactful shows which the Ambies, the Awards for Excellence in Audio, has been doing since 2020. Recipient of the inaugural International Impact award was industry veteran and Podnews editor, James Cridland. Chosen by the Podcast Academy’s Board of Governors, this honor recognizes an individual or podcast based or set outside of the United States. This particular award identifies recent work that has had a significant positive impact on the global podcast community.

Swerve TV, a leading operator of free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels, today announced the launch of The Prof G Channel, a new streaming destination built around the voice and perspective of popular podcaster Scott Galloway. The channel will debut May 5 on The Roku Channel, Prime Video, Plex, Zeam and Fawesome, with more platforms to be announced soon.

A best-selling author (Notes on Being a Man, The Algebra of Wealth, The Four), New York University professor of marketing, entrepreneur, and popular podcaster with over 8 million monthly listeners, Galloway is also the recent recipient of the 2026 Webby Award for his No Mercy / No Malice newsletter.

The Prof G Channel brings together Galloway’s signature mix of sharp analysis, candid commentary, and cultural insight in a 24/7 streaming format. The channel features a curated lineup of his most popular podcasts, including The Prof G Pod, covering business, tech and career advice; Pivot, which Galloway co-hosts with journalist and TV personality Kara Swisher; Raging Moderates with co-host and political strategist Jessica Tarlov; and Prof G Markets with business writer and analyst Ed Elson. In addition, the channel will include original segments and thematic programming across business, technology, and society.

“Scott has built one of the most trusted and compelling voices in business media,” said Steve Shannon, CEO of Swerve TV. “With the launch of The Prof G Channel, Swerve TV is aligning the company’s growth with the proliferation of podcasting and the increasing demand by streaming platforms for this content. Our first foray into podcast-themed channels is a dedicated, always-on destination that extends the reach of one of the most-popular podcasters’ to the FAST environment.”

"Most media companies are consolidating, premium-izing, and praying their subscriber numbers hold. At Prof G Media, we're expanding distribution, and the most undervalued real estate in media right now is free, said Scott Galloway. “There's a reason why the industry is finally paying attention to FAST — it's about meeting viewers where they are. The Prof G Channel is us deciding that if we have something worth saying, we should make it as easy as possible for people to hear it. No friction. Maximum reach. That's the whole game."

An entrepreneur and investor in many businesses, Scott Galloway recently invested in Swerve TV’s Series A financing round. The funds have accelerated Swerve TV’s expansion beyond its flagship sports products (Swerve Combat and Swerve Sports) into personality-driven programming, leveraging its expertise in live content. The Prof G Channel is designed to appeal to a highly engaged audience interested in business, markets, technology, and cultural trends—making it an attractive environment for premium advertisers.

Sheepscot Creative today announces the May 11 launch of Work-Shaped Life, a new podcast hosted by company founder Dave Weich that examines one of the defining questions of our time: how do you build a satisfying career when both you and the world around you never stop changing? The series debuts with three full episodes featuring a forensic archeologist, a political theorist, and an executive recruiter, available on all major podcast platforms.

Work-Shaped Life arrives in a moment of widespread career disorientation. AI is reshaping entire industries, the job market has turned brutal for many, and the educational system has not kept pace. The old map (study something, become that thing, build a life around it) has quietly stopped working for most people. Even those on steadier paths face the same ongoing recalibration; what felt like the right fit at 22 looks different at 35, and different again after that.

The podcast tagline frames it plainly: a show about what making a living makes of our lives. Each episode features an extended conversation with someone whose career has been shaped by curiosity, circumstance, and constant refinement. Some guests have a clear throughline. Some are still finding it. What connects them is the trying and self-awareness that comes from doing the work of figuring it out.

This isn't a self-help podcast, but it can be helpful. Each conversation explores the same fundamental question and reveals a different pattern, angle, and hard-won insight. The interviews are full of takeaways worth holding onto. Weich and his team will surface standout moments through ongoing social posts, pushing forward the lines and ideas that stuck with him the most across each conversation.

Weich shares: “My obsession with work goes back to discovering Ecclesiastes in the liner notes of a John Mellencamp album. ‘So I saw that there is nothing better for men than that they should be happy in their work.’ I had that quote taped to the side of my computer all through college, before I had any clue what I wanted to do. Many years later, I’m still thinking about how our jobs, over a lifetime, expose us to so much of what we come to know of the world.”

Daylight today announced the acquisition of Podcast Review, the preeminent digital destination for podcast criticism and discovery, from founder Jack Conway. The acquisition marks a new chapter for the publication, which serves a dedicated audience of over half a million annual visitors and thousands of weekly newsletter subscribers.

Elevating Podcast Discovery

While 47% of Americans now listen to podcasts weekly, discovery remains the primary challenge for both creators and audiences. Podcast Review was founded to fill this gap, moving beyond basic charts to provide human-curated recommendations and thoughtful analysis. With Daylight, the mission continues — helping fans discover their next favorite show through editorial rigor while expanding opportunities for creators and brands.

A Trusted Voice for Fans

The acquisition arrives as Podcast Review celebrates nearly a decade as a top presence in podcast discovery. The site holds top-tier rankings (positions 1-3) for high-intent search terms including "Best History Podcasts," "Best Philosophy Podcasts," "Best Science Podcasts," and more. The weekly newsletter, delivered every Tuesday, maintains an industry-leading open rate.

"Everyone can be a podcast listener; they just haven't discovered their show yet," says Alice Florence Orr, Managing Editor of Podcast Review. "The site has always been focused on its main audience: the listener. Working with Daylight means we can be more ambitious. Looking ahead, we will commission more writers, publish even more reviews, and write thoughtful, character-driven profiles. In short, we are supporting the entire industry's growth".

“Podcast Review was built to treat podcasts with the seriousness they deserve. In Daylight, the site has found a team that shares that same vision. I’m grateful to Steve Wilson, whose work I’ve long admired since his time leading editorial at Apple Podcasts, for giving Podcast Review such a strong new home,” said Jack Conway, Podcast Review’s founder and former Editor. “And I’m grateful to the many writers who turned Podcast Review into a trusted voice — none more so than Alice, who has been with the site from the start and who I’m thrilled to see lead Podcast Review into this exciting next chapter.”

“Podcasting is bigger than it has ever been, with more listeners, more viewers, and more extraordinary shows, and yet editorial is so fractured across audio, video, and platform algorithms that much of the industry is left asking, 'where are the hits?'" said Steve Wilson, Chief Strategy Officer at Daylight. "Podcast Review has spent years answering that question with the editorial seriousness this medium deserves. Daylight's role is to invest in what Jack and Alice built and extend it on behalf of the entire industry: the creators, networks, and platforms I've spent my career collaborating with, and the listeners we're all trying to reach.”

New Opportunities for Creators and Brands

With the relaunch, Podcast Review is expanding its ways for the industry to engage:

1. Editorial Partnerships: Creators are encouraged to pitch new shows or seasons for in-depth reviews and profiles. Podcast Review’s lists provide a clear compass for fans to discover new shows. We have ambitious editorial aspirations; let’s work together to delight fans and discover new audiences.
2. Sponsorships & Advertising: Podcast fans are deeply engaged. Podcast Review concentrates them at the moment of intent, when they're deciding what to listen to next. Site-wide advertising and newsletter sponsorships place brands beside prestige editorial written for power-listeners and read by industry decision-makers. For partners looking beyond standard placements, Podcast Review collaborates on custom campaigns that earn attention rather than interrupt it.

TLDR? Check out our deck.

Designed for independent creators and small-to-medium podcast teams, PodBoost brings together a suite of simple, data-driven tools that turn a podcast RSS feed and download data into clear recommendations. The platform includes free tools such as an RSS Checker, a Growth Engine for personalised audience growth tips, and an “Are You Sponsor Ready?” assessment to help creators understand whether their show is ready to pitch to brands.

Premium tools have also been developed to help podcasters go deeper, including analytics for uploaded download data, AI-powered sponsor matching, social media click tracking, campaign management, competitor analysis and a cross-promo marketplace for trailer swaps between similar shows.

PodBoost was created by Podshape, the Australian podcast company behind a growing network of true crime, sport, lifestyle and entertainment podcasts.

“Most podcasters are working incredibly hard, but they often do not have access to the same data, sales tools or growth strategy that larger networks have,” said Jay Walkerden, Co-Founder of Podshape. “PodBoost is about giving those creators a simple place to start. Check your feed, find the gaps, understand your audience, see whether you are sponsor-ready and get clear, practical steps to grow.”

The platform has been built with a freemium model, allowing creators to start with no-cost tools before moving into more advanced premium features as their show grows. The aim is to remove guesswork from podcast growth and give creators a clearer path from launching a show to building audience, proving value and attracting sponsors.

“There is no shortage of advice telling podcasters to just post more clips or keep going. What creators really need is a smarter way to understand what is happening with their show and what to do next. PodBoost is built to make that easier.”

PodFest Cairo 2026 wrapped a remarkable afternoon at The American University in Cairo, delivering one of its most ambitious and wide-ranging programs in the event’s seven-year history.

Organized by AUC Professor of Practice Kim Fox, the seventh edition drew strong attendance and proved once again that Cairo’s podcasting community is very much alive and growing.

The afternoon opened with a lively panel, "Your Voice, Your Rules: Podcasting on Your Own Terms," in which Egyptian podcasters shared candid reflections on finding their voice, staying authentic and navigating an increasingly crowded media landscape. It was a fitting way to set the tone for a day of programming that centered on creators at every turn.

A standout moment came from Enterprise Egypt, whose fireside chat on AI and audio gave attendees an inside look at the production of Morning Drive, their AI-powered podcast. The session was equal parts practical and eye-opening, and sparked some of the liveliest conversations of the day.

The video podcasting panel, "Picture This: Voices and Video in the Middle East," examined the merits and challenges of a format reshaping how regional audiences consume content. The discussion was sharp and timely, and clearly resonated with a room full of creators wrestling with the same questions like monetization.

Perhaps the biggest announcement of the day came from TPP and GDM, who revealed a new partnership that includes a mega-project featuring multiple recording studios, co-working space and a suite of resources designed to support the next generation of Arab creators.

The afternoon closed with its most powerful moment: the global debut of The ECCO’s Pan-Arab cohort of audio stories, hosted by award-winning journalist, documentarian and storyteller Jasmin Bauomy, in partnership with Goethe Institut Amman. Eight international pieces premiered, some in English, some in Arabic and some in both, representing voices from across the Arab world. It was a genuinely moving close to a full afternoon of programming, and a reminder of the power of audio storytelling. All eight audio pieces are available to stream on The ECCO’s website.

You can watch the full event on Facebook, and read the full agenda.

After five years of building community for BIPOC Podcast Creators, co-founders Tangia R. Al-awaji Estrada and Maribel Quezada Smith announced today they are closing BIPOC Podcast Creators, citing founder capacity and the structural challenges of sustaining community-driven work in the current content creator landscape.

The organization, founded in 2021, grew to serve more than 2,100 BIPOC podcast creators across the United States and internationally; partnered with major industry organizations, including NPR, Simplecast, The Podcast Academy, Edison Research, Libsyn, Copyright Alliance, and Podcast Movement; and hosted sold-out events across the United States, London, and Riyadh.

"We built something we're incredibly proud of," said Al-awaji Estrada, who also runs Audacious Strategies, a PR and brand agency. "But the reality is that running a community well requires sustained time and energy that we no longer have. We both have young children, growing businesses, and limited capacity. Rather than let BIPOC Podcast Creators slowly fade, we chose to close it intentionally."

The decision comes after the founders explored multiple transition options, including discussions with potential buyers about an acquisition, but were unable to find the right fit to ensure the community's continued success.

The Industry Challenge

The closure highlights broader questions about sustainability for community-driven creator initiatives. Despite strong partnerships, years of consistent programming, and an engaged membership base, the founders found that the labor required to run a community organization well exceeded what traditional revenue models could support.

"This story is not unique to us, most creator communities have struggled because so many of the people who once supported them through corporate partnerships have either been laid off or were directed to shrink their investments," said Quezada Smith, founder and executive producer at Diferente Creative. "The industry benefits enormously from communities like ours, but the infrastructure to sustain them long-term requires arduous work and significant financial investment. And frankly, it's not enough to ask our creators to pay to make up this difference."

The organization maintained a 100% sell-out rate across paid events and built partnerships with some of podcasting's most respected organizations, demonstrating both demand and impact within the industry.

The Work Continues

While BIPOC Podcast Creators is closing, both founders emphasized their continued commitment to supporting BIPOC creators and pushing the industry toward more equitable systems.

"Closing this chapter doesn't mean this work is done," said Al-awaji Estrada. "The podcasting industry still has a long way to go in creating sustainable pathways for independent creators and community-driven initiatives, especially those serving underrepresented voices. We'll continue pushing for those changes, just in different forms through our individual work."

Both Al-awaji Estrada and Quezada Smith will continue supporting podcasters and mission-driven organizations through their companies and Substacks, and remain committed to advocating for systemic change in how the industry supports diverse creators.

What's Next

BIPOC Podcast Creators will wind down operations through May 2026. The Discord community will remain active through May 31st. Al-awaji Estrada and Quezada Smith will co-write a final reflection on the lessons learned and the future of community-building in podcasting. The website will remain accessible in archive mode.

"The infrastructure is closing, but we are confident that the community our creators built with each other will continue," said Quezada Smith. "We’re proud of having built BIPOC Podcast Creators to play a role in this industry’s boom, and we’re walking away feeling grateful for the relationships it helped us forge."

About BIPOC Podcast Creators

Founded in 2021, BIPOC Podcast Creators was a global community dedicated to connecting BIPOC podcast creators through education, networking, and partnership opportunities. The organization served more than 2,100 email subscribers, maintained an active Discord community, hosted in-person and virtual events for hundreds of additional creators across multiple cities internationally. Key partnerships included NPR, Simplecast, The Podcast Academy, Edison Research, Libsyn, Copyright Alliance, and Podcast Movement.

About the Founders

Tangia R. Al-awaji Estrada is the founder of Audacious Strategies, a boutique PR and brand agency specializing in helping mission-driven women founders and nonprofits stop being the best-kept secret in their space. She brings 15+ years of experience in PR, brand messaging, nonprofit work, and media relations.

Maribel Quezada Smith is the founder & executive producer at Diferente Creative, an award-winning bilingual media and digital content production powerhouse dedicated to crafting professional-grade audio and video that shine on both traditional and digital platforms.

Attitude, the UK’s only nationally distributed gay print magazine and one of the world’s most influential LGBTQ+ media brands, today unveils a major brand evolution across print and audio – marking a new phase of premium positioning, audience growth and platform expansion.

The May/June 2026 issue (Issue 370) introduces a comprehensive redesign of the print product, alongside the launch of a flagship podcast franchise, Attitude Presents: Out with Suzi Ruffell.

A PREMIUM PRINT PRODUCT FOR A LOYAL, HIGH-VALUE FANDOM

First published back in 1994, Attitude remains the only gay magazine available in print in the UK, with a circulation of 36,777 and a readership of 144,900 (+7.4% YoY).

The redesign elevates the magazine’s physical and editorial proposition, introducing:

• A new premium format (226mm x 290mm) with enhanced production values, combining gloss and matt paper stock
• New editorial sections spanning Home, Tech, Gaming, Food and Drink and an expanded Travel and Theatre offering
• New columnists including agony aunt, celebrated performer and cosmic empath Myra DuBois.

The refreshed product offering reflects evolving audience expectations for premium, curated media experiences, whilst maintaining Attitude’s long-standing authority within LGBTQ+ culture.

Audience loyalty remains a defining strength, with 54% of readers engaging with the brand for four years or more, alongside a highly engaged digital fandom.

SUSTAINED DIGITAL GROWTH ACROSS GLOBAL AUDIENCES

Attitude continues to scale its digital footprint, delivering strong year-on-year growth across channels.

The redesign elevates the magazine’s physical and editorial proposition, introducing:

• Annual unique users increased by 32.5% (4.24m vs. 3.20m)
• Annual page views grew by 25.7% (6.81m vs. 5.42m) despite AI-influenced web traffic decimation across the industry
• Monthly unique users (March YoY) increased by 45%
• Monthly page views (March YoY) increased by 33%

This growth is driven by a global audience mix, with:

• 41% USA
• 40.9% UK
• 18.1% Rest of World (covering Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia)

Attitude’s digital-first magazine, Attitude Uncut (launched November 2025), has further propelled reach via Apple News+, now delivering:

• 133,652 monthly active users
• 76,368 subscribers
• A total monthly reach exceeding 2.1m

EXPANDING INTO AUDIO: A FLAGSHIP PODCAST FRANCHISE

As part of its platform expansion, Attitude launches Attitude Presents: Out with Suzi Ruffell - a reimagined award-winning podcast now positioned as a core brand franchise.

The new series, launched 1 May 2026, features:

• Filmed episodes for the first time, available on the Attitude magazine YouTube channel
• Weekly Friday releases across all major podcast platforms
• A high-profile guest lineup including Tia Kofi, Bradley Riches, Phil Dunning, Peter Tatchell, Farrel Hegarty and Dan Gillespie Sells

Across nine series, the podcast has already achieved over one million downloads and earned critical recognition from The Times, The Guardian and The i Paper.

The move into filmed podcast reflects Attitude’s strategy to extend its editorial voice into new formats, deepen audience engagement, and create scalable commercial opportunities across video, social and branded content.

EDITORIAL HIGHLIGHT: KIERON MOORE COVER FEATURE

The May/June issue is fronted by Boots actor Kieron Moore, who discusses his role in the forthcoming Blue Film, alongside themes such as straight privilege and the importance of being an LGBTQ+ ally, continuing Attitude’s legacy of culturally resonant and provocative editorial.

CLIFF JOANNOU, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF, ATTITUDE: “This redesign marks a significant evolution for Attitude - not just in how we look, but in how we are serving our audience across platforms. As the only national UK gay magazine still in print we’re investing in a new premium format, as well as expanding on digital reach through our recently launched digital first magazine Attitude Uncut, and building out formats such as podcasting.

“Along with affirming our commitment to being the leading brand in LGBTQ+ media, our three live events - the Attitude 101 every February, the Attitude Pride Awards on 3rd July, and the Attitude Awards on 7th October - continue to be the premium tentpole moments of the queer British calendar. As the mediascape continues to evolve, Attitude continues to lead the conversation around LGBTQ+ culture globally.”

SUZI RUFFELL ON THE PODCAST LAUNCH: “I’m so excited to share these conversations. I have been blown away by the stories and insight the guests share. I hope the audience enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed making it”.

Syrup Sound, a boutique audio post-production house specializing in podcast sound design and mixing, today announced its public launch, stepping out formally after several years of working with leading brands and production companies in the podcast space.

Founded by Gaëtan Harris, a sound designer with over 15 years of experience in audio post production, Syrup Sound works with production companies and podcasters to develop the sonic identities of their shows and series. From audio restoration to editing, sound design to final mix, Syrup Sound is more than just a technical service, but a creative partner highly invested in the story and the listener.

Harris previously served as a senior sound designer at Pacific Content, one of Canada's foremost branded podcast studios, where he worked with clients including Ford, Dell Technologies, and Meta. Syrup Sound has continued that tradition of high-calibre work, recently completing the fifth season of Exile (Antica Productions, Leo Baeck Institute), a documentary series telling the true stories of influential Jewish figures fleeing Nazi persecution during World War Two, and the sixth season of Tell Me What Happened (OnStar, Campbell Ewald), a richly sound-designed series about ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances and the strangers who save them.

“In an industry increasingly dominated by a shift to video, Syrup Sound exists for the shows that understand what audio does best,” said Harris. “There’s nothing quite like a story told well in sound, and that’s what Syrup is here to make.”

Syrup Sound is available for projects globally and is currently accepting new clients and ongoing partners. Harris will be attending The Podcast Show in May 2026.

For more information, visit syrupsound.com or contact gaetan@syrupsound.com.

VeePod, a real-time video podcasting system, has launched a customisable 3D graphics capability, which enables production companies to embed dynamic, monetisable sponsor integrations directly into video podcast content.

The new feature introduces in-scene branding and real-time product placements within a virtual podcast set, which can be switched, updated, or removed instantly during production.

Integrations can form part of the set’s ‘furniture’, for example, a football featuring a sponsor logo sitting on a shelf behind guests, which can be replaced with a different branded object, such as a rugby ball, depending on the conversation or featured guest.

VeePod’s updated studio system will be presented for the first time at The Podcast Show (May 20th-21st, London) by The Dean Street Podcast Studio, which will showcase its high-end studio facilities located in the heart of Soho.

Designed for production teams who want to scale high quality video podcasts efficiently without the complexity and cost of premium studio setups, VeePod blends real-time virtual production technology with smart automation tools, whilst preserving the authentic, unscripted feel that audiences love.

“The challenge for premium podcast titles now is how to integrate sponsors in a way that doesn’t break the flow of the content or damage the integrity of the show,” explains Rob Chandler, founder of The Dean Street Podcast Studio. “Blending sponsorships into the world of the show itself is going to be the future of podcast monetisation, and VeePod now enables a new layer of integration that works for both sides without a trade-off.”

To book a demo or make an appointment to meet the Dean Street Podcast Studio team at The Podcast Show please visit https://www.thedeanstreetpodcast.studio/ or email hello@thedeanstreetpodcast.studio

Beginning today, May 7, the improvised Hollywood roundtable podcast will release all-new episodes under the Big Money Players network with upcoming guests including Anna Konkle, Chanse McCrary, Ashby, and Tim Baltz.

“Artists on Artists on Artists on Artists” (AOAOAOA), the improvised comedy podcast featuring chaotic, pretentious, and hilariously unfiltered conversations between fictional Hollywood personalities, joins iHeartMedia and Will Ferrell’s Big Money Players network (BMP) today. 

Hosted by Kylie Brakeman, Jeremy Culhane, Angela Giarratana and Patrick McDonald, the show was born out of a creative partnership that began on an Upright Citizens Brigade sketch team in 2019. The group launched the podcast during the pandemic as a way to keep creating together, building a following around its fully improvised format and ensemble dynamic. Since then, AOAOAOA has released more than 220 episodes.

“We are so excited for AOAOAOA to join the BMP family. This is a huge win for annoying people everywhere,” said Kylie, Jeremy, Angela and Patrick.

See the full lineup of Big Money Player podcasts HERE.

Today, Rebel Audio, the Nashville based AI-powered podcasting platform, announces Mike “Big Mike” Majlak has joined the company as Chief Creator in Residence and partner. The Impaulsive co-host and entrepreneur is stepping in as both a cultural force and hands-on operator across content development, product growth and brand strategy. Positioned as “the Canva of podcasting,” the AI-powered platform simplifies how podcasts are created, produced, and scaled.

With the podcast industry projected to be worth $114B by 2030, Majlak joins Rebel Audio at a pivotal time. A seasoned marketer and entrepreneur, he brings a track record of building momentum and shaping narratives that resonate at scale. As co-host of Impaulsive, he has helped redefine what a podcast can be, turning it into a global media property that blends entertainment, distribution and brand integration. This move marks a full-circle moment, returning to his roots in media while stepping into ownership of a new frontier. At Rebel Audio, he will apply that experience to help creators not only launch podcasts, but build enduring platforms around them.

“Podcasting has been a huge part of my life for the past eight years, building one of the first creator-led podcasts from the ground up,” said Mike Majlak. “I’ve been in front of the camera for 500+ episodes, building real audience growth, connecting with real brands and now it’s time to go behind the scenes and work with creators on how to turn content into a real business. Rebel Audio is the tool I wish I had to work smarter and faster and now the technology is here to help the next generation of talent.”

As Chief Creator-in-Residence, Majlak will serve as an ambassador for Rebel Audio, appearing at major cultural moments including CMA Fest, Comic-Con, and key events across sports, media and pop culture. He will drive awareness of the platform, support content development, and connect directly with creators in the field. With experience in audience growth and viral distribution, his role reinforces Rebel Audio’s focus on helping creators own their voice and build their own platforms.

“Mike understands what it takes to break through in today’s attention economy, positioning him to be this generation's Howard Stern,” said Rebel Audio Founder and CEO Jared Gutstadt. “We’re entering a new era of social audio, where top creators are stepping into ownership and executive roles across emerging platforms, blending influence with entrepreneurship. Mike is a sharp and curious marketing genius with an unmatched network across media, sports, and politics. His involvement with Rebel Audio reflects our commitment to putting power back in the hands of the creators driving the ecosystem.”

The company’s strategic investor network includes Julie Gauthier, Benjamin Lurie, Jonathan Schulman, Launch Tennessee, Market Square Ventures, and Mark Burnett (Shark Tank, The Voice) as an advisor. 

Rebel Audio arrives today; join the waitlist for early access - www.rebelaudio.ai. Watch the explainer video HERE.

• A new report from the Reuters Institute shows the rapidly changing nature of news podcasts, with publishers pivoting to video as a response to audience demand and new platform features.
• The report, based on a mixture of audience research and interviews with media managers, suggests this is an uneven shift, with some publishers creating multi-modal versions of all their shows and others converting only chat formats to video and keeping narrative shows as audio-only productions.
• Qualitative research shows that video podcasting audiences mostly overlap with audio ones, suggesting the same people access them in different contexts. But video is also reaching new audiences with different expectations, and this creates dilemmas for publishers in terms of distribution and monetisation.
• While big titles (New York Times, The Economist and Die Zeit) are launching audio-only subscriptions, podcast-focused companies such as Chora Media and Goalhanger are adopting a flywheel approach, making money with events, merchandise, and bonus content to overcome resistance to pay.

These are some of the findings from The Changing shape and new economics of news podcasting, a report authored by Nic Newman, published by the Reuters Institute.

The report provides a valuable snapshot at a momentous time for the news industry, with audio podcasts are being transformed into video ones, personality-driven chat shows squeezing out more traditional narrative series, and business models changing, with some shows going behind paywalls. It explores how audiences feel about these changes and how publishers are responding to them.

The report draws on qualitative audience research conducted in the US, the UK and Norway. It is also based on interviews with leading news publishers such as the New York Times, the Guardian, The Economist, Schibsted, Bonnier and Die Zeit, as well as podcast-first companies Goalhanger and Chora Media. You can get a free copy of the report here.

Here are the key findings:

1. Production is shifting towards conversational podcasts

Publishers are producing fewer documentary-style series and more conversational shows, especially in the US. The narrative boom that began with Serial in 2014 led to a wave of investment in podcast studios. But monetisation proved weaker than expected, and platforms such as Spotify, which had partly funded the boom, cut back and production has largely shifted into cheaper conversational podcasts. Podcasts have also become more reactive to major news events, with companies releasing emergency episodes to fulfil audience demand.

New platform features are accelerating these changes. Spotify, YouTube, Netflix and others see podcasts as an opportunity to grow their business and have invested in new content. Discovery mechanisms have been supercharged and platforms such as Apple and Spotify now also offer different routes to monetisation, including subscriptions. But that’s not the whole story. Podcast-only start-ups such as Podimo and Podme have become a key feature of some European markets, stimulating the market for paid content, while some publishers have invested in their own apps.

2. Platforms are fuelling the pivot to video

These platform changes are accelerating the shift towards conversational and video-first podcasts. Spotify pioneered video podcasts in 2020 for a few limited shows, partly as a defensive move against YouTube. By 2024 there were over 250,000 video podcasts on its platform and half of the top 20 shows, including the Joe Rogan Experience and Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy, are now available in video. In February 2026 Apple announced it would be supporting video formats for the first time, allowing users to switch seamlessly between audio and video. Platforms see podcasts as a cheap way of driving usage through connected televisions, enabling them to compete meaningfully with streaming services such as Netflix.

Nic Newman, Senior Research Associate and author of the report, said:

“Video is no longer an optional extra for podcasting – it’s becoming central to how shows are discovered, distributed, and monetised. But that doesn’t mean audio disappears; it means publishers have to think much more carefully about what each format is for.”

3. This shift to video is also fuelled by audience demand

Younger audiences are used to watching online video and prefer to consume podcasts through the screen. These generations have grown up with networks such as YouTube and TikTok, and many say they prefer to take in information this way. But context matters too. At home, many people who already use YouTube heavily or have access to connected televisions tend to default to video, but they also consume audio while driving, exercising or cooking.

Most of the respondents we surveyed are more attracted to video for non-news-related podcasts such as comedy, fashion, or entertainment. This chimes with the experience of UK podcast-first company Goalhanger. Around 10-15% of YouTube consumption of The Rest is Politics, a show with a strong audio heritage, is in video. This contrasts with The Rest is Science, which reaches 60–70% and is presented by Michael Stevens, a creator who cut his teeth on YouTube.

4. Publishers are embracing video (with some caution)

Video is reshaping discovery, production, and editorial strategies in news podcasting. Even though the economics and audience behaviours differ across markets, publishers are embracing video for three reasons: as a tool to reach entirely new audiences on video-led platforms; as a way to build loyalty and deepen the parasocial relationship between hosts and their audience; and as a way to tap into growing video advertising budgets and show their content on connected TV sets.

The report provides a deep dive into the podcast strategies of a dozen of major publishers in Europe and the US. Some worry about the extra costs involved and think video could distort (or even destroy) the artisanal craft of audio podcasting. The shift to video is also forcing organisational change inside newsrooms. Audio teams, video teams, and social media teams used to operate separately. Now video podcasts are blurring these boundaries as a show can generate multiple outputs: a full podcast episode, a video version, short clips for social media, and written articles. This requires new workflows, new skills, and new structures.

5. Publishers are thinking beyond advertising

Most of the respondents we surveyed say they are reluctant to pay for podcasts. They don’t see the point in doing so, with so many free options available, even though they value news podcasts highly. Several respondents said they would simply switch to another podcast if their favourite show introduced a paywall. At the same time, audiences are more open to indirect forms of monetisation, such as donations or paying to attend live shows.

While advertising remains central, podcasting is moving towards hybrid business models. Podcast-first companies such as Italy’s Chora Media and UK’s Goalhanger are the best examples of this approach, with monetisation coming from advertising, live events, merchandise, and membership programmes. Goalhanger, for example, hires popular hosts in key verticals, and to build ‘fandoms’ around them. For these newer entrants, a podcast is only one expression of a wider ‘show’ built around talent and community, with revenues flowing from multiple streams.

Our methodology

The report is based on three different sources: semi-structured interviews with six experts and sixteen media managers from Europe and the US conducted in March 2026; a project of qualitative research conducted in February 2025 in the US, the UK and Norway; and survey data from the 2025 Reuters Institute’s Digital News Report.

The qualitative project, conducted by the market research company Differentology, aimed to understand the nature and context of podcast consumption, and the motivations for use, in three countries with high and mature levels of usage that have also seen significant experimentation around business models. We designed the research to uncover insights around the three key themes of this report: the growing role of personalities, the greater prevalence of video, and public attitudes towards payment and subscription. We ran a 50-person online community of regular news podcast users (20 in the US, 18 in the UK, and 12 in Norway) where we set various tasks. We followed this with mini-groups drawn from a subset of these users to further explore issues in greater depth.

The report includes quantitative data from the Digital News Report, an annual online survey of news use conducted by YouGov. Details of the methodology for this survey can be found here.

Contact and more information

For more information, interview requests or a copy of the report, please contact Eduardo Suárez at eduardo.suarez@politics.ox.ac.uk or Matthew Leake at matthew.leake@politics.ox.ac.uk.

About the author

Nic Newman is Senior Research Associate at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, where was lead author of the annual Digital News Report between 2012 and 2025. He is also a consultant on digital media, working actively with news companies on product, audience, and business strategies. He has produced a media and journalism predictions report for almost twenty years. This is the tenth to be published by the Reuters Institute. Nic was a founding member of the BBC News website, leading international coverage as World Editor (1997-2001). As Head of Product Development (2001-10) he led digital teams, developing websites, mobile, and interactive TV applications for all BBC Journalism sites.

About the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism

The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism is dedicated to exploring the future of journalism worldwide. The Institute receives core funding from the Thomson Reuters Foundation and is based in the Department of Politics and International Relations at the University of Oxford. It was launched in November 2006 and developed from the Reuters Journalist Fellowship Programme, established at Oxford four decades ago. In addition to the fellowship programme for mid-career journalists from around the world, the Institute hosts leadership development programmes and research projects focused on the future of journalism. See https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/

Funding acknowledgement

This piece of research was supported by Google as part of its Global News Initiative.

Today, OnlyFans CEO Keily Blair has launched three OnlyFans community pages dedicated to Sports, Comedy and Podcasts.

Unveiled at the Online Marketing Rockstars (OMR) Festival in Hamburg, the new community pages onlyfans.com/sports, onlyfans.com/comedy and onlyfans.com/podcasts will highlight the creators in these fields and showcase the content they are creating on the platform. 

Spotlighting sport on OnlyFans

Over 285 of professional athletes are already using the platform to connect with fans, sharing exclusive behind-the-scenes content, from training to competing. 

Creators on the platform include French tennis star Chloe Paquet; Portuguese big wave surfer Tony Laureano; Swiss motorcycle racer Robin Mulhauser; British professional long-distance triathlete Steph Clutterbuck; Czech professional water sports athlete Paula Novotna; Brazilian-American mixed martial artist Cris Cyborg; American professional cliff diver Ellie Smart.

Olympians are also finding success on the platform, including Olympic Alpine Skiing Athlete Joan Verdú, German bobsledder Lisa Buckwitz and Belgian long-track and inline speed skater Bart Swings.

OnlyFans also hosts the popular series ‘Rise & Grind’ on OFTV, which follows athletes at the big sporting moments in their careers. 

A home for comedy creators

Comedy is one of the fastest-growing categories on OnlyFans, with performers using the platform to test material in front of a strictly 18+ adult audience without unnecessary censorship.

The new comedy page celebrates creators who are redefining the genre online including American comedians Claire Sundbye and Molly Brenner, alongside stand-up comedian and television personality Jessimae Peluso.

OnlyFans also supports comedians through its OFTV comedy series LMAOF, which airs exclusively on the platform and showcases emerging comedy talent; each episode features a new city and new comedians. 

Rising influence of podcasters

Podcasting is another rapidly expanding space on OnlyFans, with popular creators increasingly using the platform to offer exclusive episodes to expand their profile outside of their core subscriber page.

The new podcast-focused pages will give further exposure to hosts and creators including the comedy podcast Tiger Mom with Jiaoying Summers, dating, sex, and relationships podcast Boyfriend Material with Harry Jowsey and mind-shift podcast Billion Dollar Barbie.

Keily Blair, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at OnlyFans said:

“OnlyFans has always celebrated creators from every genre, who want to connect with a global audience of fans in a space designed for adults. 

The creator economy continues to evolve as audiences want more engagement with the people they follow. These new dedicated community pages are designed to celebrate the incredible range of talent on our platform, while helping creators grow their followings and unlock new revenue opportunities.”

The launch of the new pages reflects the continued diversification of content available on OnlyFans.

The Golden Lobes - the comedy podcast awards hosted by Cheerful Earful, the world's funniest podcast festival - held its 2026 ceremony last night at the Clapham Grand, celebrating the best, funniest, and most gloriously chaotic corners of comedy podcasting.

Across 17 awards, the night honoured everything from gloriously off-topic tangents and bloopers to sharp scripted writing, electric live shows, behind-the-scenes heroes, and earworm theme tunes - with a level playing field for indie creators and household names alike.

The headline award, the Big Ears for Funniest Podcast of the Year (supported by Rusty Quill), went to Crowley Time with me, Tom Crowley, beating off stiff competition from nominees including Birthday Girls House Party, Pappy's Flatshare, and The Romesh Ranganathan Show.

The Lobes Legend Award - a lifetime-ish achievement honour for a show that has shaped the comedy podcast scene - was presented to Wolf & Owl with Romesh Ranganathan and Tom Davis, recognised for five years of unformatted, unprepared, and consistently brilliant broadcasting.

The Listener's Lobe, the only award decided entirely by the public, went to BudPod with Glenn Moore & Pierre Novellie - who also picked up Best Tangent on the night, making it a double for the pod. (Glenn Moore also picked up a "best artwork" award, as seen above, for Button Boys).

The full winners were:

Podcasts Detail

• Big Ears for Funniest Podcast of the Year (supported by Rusty Quill): Crowley Time with me, Tom Crowley
• Lobes Legend Award: Wolf & Owl with Romesh Ranganathan and Tom Davis
• The Listener's Lobe: BudPod with Glenn Moore & Pierre Novellie
• Best Artwork (supported by Thunderbird Fried Chicken): Button Boys
• Best Social (supported by Podshop): This Paranormal Life
• Best Guest: Katie Norris on The Truth (In My Opinion)
• Best New Show (supported by AVC): Tonsil Hockey
• Best Live Show (supported by Chewboy Productions): Lateral with Tom Scott
• Best Scripted Show (supported by Podomedy): Listen Through the Brown Window
• Best Listener Moment (supported by Audio UK): Marcel Lucont's Whine List
• Best International Show (supported by Sounds Profitable): Push The Roll with Ross Bryant
• Grower Not A Shower (supported by the Independent Podcast Awards): Week Minded with Stuart Laws & Daman Bamrah
• Best Blooper: I've Had A Rosé, Let's Talk About Feelings with Sam Lake
• Beyond The Feed (supported by Podcast Rex): The Podcast Nobody Asked For
• Earworm Award: Wolf & Owl with Romesh Ranganathan and Tom Davis
• Behind The Scenes Hero (supported by Descript): Becky Carewe Jeffries for The Truth (In My Opinion)

The Truth (In My Opinion) had a particularly strong night, picking up Best Guest and Behind The Scenes Hero, while Wolf & Owl claimed both the Earworm Award and the Lobes Legend.

Giles Gear, organiser of the Golden Lobes and Cheerful Earful, said: "Another triumphant night for comedy podcasts of all shapes and sizes - the Golden Lobes has cemented itself as a staple in the podcasting calendar. We can't wait to celebrate with some live shows when the festival kicks off this autumn."

The Golden Lobes are part of the Cheerful Earful Podcast Festival - a global celebration of funny podcasting running across the UK, Australia, and the USA. The 2026 festival runs 28 September to 18 October.

Audio Always has appointed Lisa Solman as Sales Director. Lisa joins from WPP Media, where she spent several years as a Director within the Creative Futures team.

Lisa arrives at an exciting moment for Audio Always. Recent months have seen the arrival of The Girls Bathroom and The Teen Commandments onto the podcast slate, along with the launch of Fact Up with Joe and James and The Jack & Ash Show. Last month Audio Always assumed commercial responsibility for The Elis James and John Robins Podcast, and last week the Audio Always Originals podcast network received a nomination for Audio Brand of the Year at the 2026 ARIAs.

In her new role, Lisa will lead the Audio Always sales operation, connecting the company's growing roster of podcast talent with the brand partners best placed to reach their audiences.

Paul Fernley, Business Development Director, Audio Always - "This is the perfect time to be bringing in someone with Lisa's commercial instincts. She understands podcasting, she knows what brands are looking for, and she has the track record to prove it. We’ve built a network of brilliant shows with brilliant audiences at Audio Always and we couldn’t be more pleased to have Lisa with us."

Lisa Solman, Sales Director, Audio Always - "I’ve admired what Audio Always has been building. The talent on this network is extraordinary. My ambition is simple: to connect those shows with brands who understand the value of great content, and to do it in a way that works for everyone. I can’t wait to get stuck in."

Lisa joins having spent almost five years at WPP Media, where she led podcast, publisher, digital and social partnerships across EssenceMediacom North. During that time she brokered some of the largest partnerships in the space, including a three-year headline deal between Continental Tyres and The Good, The Bad and The Rugby. Before that, she worked alongside Dominic McGregor to develop the media partnerships offering at Manchester based Social Chain, and has previously led partnership campaigns on behalf of publisher brands including The Guardian and the full Future portfolio (formerly Time Inc.), serving agencies across the UK.

Sheffield DocFest has today revealed its full Industry Programme, completing the lineup for the 33rd edition of the UK’s leading documentary festival, which returns to venues and locations throughout Sheffield from 10 - 15 June. It follows the announcement of the public programme which took place on 29 April - full details here.

One of the world’s most influential markets for documentary projects, Sheffield DocFest offers an expansive industry programme for documentary makers consisting of 41 different sessions. These include 6 Craft Focus sessions, 4 Live Pitches, the return of the popular Marketplace and Talent Meetings alongside the previously announced Filmmaker Challenge and MeetMarket. Part of DocFest’s comprehensive talent development offering, the Industry Programme offers support for documentary makers at every stage of their careers alongside bespoke development and funding opportunities for early career makers. 

This year’s programme explores in detail documentary-making in all its forms, and the many different factors impacting the sector today. It provides opportunities for both established and early career documentary makers to forge valuable connections with leading figures within the sector, secure future lives for their projects and further develop their craft. The programme compliments the previously announced public programme by offering insight into the process and context behind numerous films selected for this year’s festival. 

Raul Niño Zambrano, Creative Director, Sheffield DocFest said: “We are incredibly proud to announce this year’s industry activities, which are designed to align with the core themes of our 2026 programme. We are creating a unique space where the artistry on screen directly informs the vital industry dialogues of today. From deep-dive sessions on activism and emerging technologies to our dedicated Production Hub, we are ensuring that our industry delegates are not just observers, but active participants in the shifting landscape of global documentary storytelling.”

Mimi Poskitt, Managing Director, Sheffield DocFest said: “Sheffield DocFest has always been a centre for dazzling creativity, but we are also immensely proud of the role the festival plays in facilitating the business of the industry, whether that's procuring  funding , making deals, or finding the right co-production partners. From our Meetmarket and the vital discussions generated by our highly-targeted expert industry and craft sessions, to welcoming key delegations from across the world, as well as new initiatives bringing the broader factual community together, such as our inaugural Production Hub, we continue to build on this role. We are delighted to continue to create this space for filmmakers and factual storytellers as we look towards this upcoming edition - and the future of the documentary form.”

Industry Sessions:

This year’s festival will feature a total of 41 Sessions for industry delegates including discussions, panels, workshops and pitches - presented in collaboration with 17 industry sponsors and 12 partners. 

The programme will combine urgent global issues and conversations with the practical realities of working in documentary today; from conflict reporting, citizen journalism and the ethics of authorship to political suppression and the evolving role of AI, drama and digital platforms in nonfiction storytelling. In addition, the Industry Sessions will explore shifts in audience patterns and how filmmakers are responding to them, and the structures that are shaping the industry itself, from co-production and funding models to career sustainability and collective organising. Alongside there will be a series of workshops and working sessions focused on inclusivity, accessibility and environmental sustainability within the sector, supporting disabled contributors and crews, and developing fairer working practices for the future.

The industry sponsors for this year’s sessions are: 5, BAFTA, BBC, British Council, Channel 4, Climate Spring, Creators Counsel, Documentary Film Council, ESPN, ITN, National Geographic, Netflix, New Generation Europe Foundation, Reuters Connect, Screen Scotland, Sky Documentaries, The Whickers. The partners are #Docsafe, AKO Storytelling Institute, Bournemouth University, Glimmerama, Goalhanger, Documentary Showcase, Film in Mind, Freedom Film Network, If Not Us, Then Who?, StitchNBitch and ZBD Talent.

Emily Copley, Talks & Sessions Programmer and Senior Producer says: “In our industry sessions at Sheffield DocFest this year, we’re bringing together the forces shaping documentary right now, from shifting platforms and storytelling forms to the ethical and structural challenges facing the field. This programme is about opening up honest, practical conversations, whether that’s how we work more sustainably, how we reach audiences in new ways, or how we navigate questions of truth, power and responsibility. It’s a space for shared thinking, critical reflection and collective action, and I’m excited to welcome such a wide range of voices into that conversation.”

Craft Focus Sessions:

Six craft-focused sessions will spotlight the creative decisions and processes that shape nonfiction filmmaking. From legal frameworks to technical innovation, distribution to authorship, these sessions offer insight into how documentaries are made, shaped and shared with their audiences.

The sessions include: a live event exploring fair use as both a legal and creative tool in archive storytelling; a myth-busting conversation on film distribution and how projects connect with audiences; a deep dive into the role of technical innovation in post-production and how this is shaping contemporary documentary aesthetics; a timely discussion positioning subtitles and captions as acts of authorship, exploring translation, access and creative intention; and two masterclasses with Oscar®-nominated directors Maite Alberdi and Sara Dosa on their distinctive approaches to storytelling.

Live Pitches:

The Festival will host four live pitches which provide valuable opportunities for early-career film and audio makers to present their non-fiction projects to panels of judges. This year the opportunities include, The Whickers Film & TV Pitch, which offers a newly expanded £120,000 Film & TV Funding Award; the Channel 4 First Cut Pitch which awards a commission for a 60-minute film, and one month of fully-paid development and mentorship with an indie; The Whickers Podcast Pitch where an independent jury award two prizes of £15,000 and £5,000; and the Climate Spring Digital-First Pitch, which this year will focus on digital formats, offering £10,000 in development funding, narrative consultation and support from Climate Spring to the winning climate story. Winners for all four pitches will be announced as part of the festival Awards Ceremony on Sunday 14 June.

Filmmaker Challenge:

Returning for its 5th and largest edition to date, the 2026 Filmmaker Challenge, supported by Principal Sponsor Prime Video Pathway, will for the first time expand beyond Sheffield supporting twice as many filmmakers as ever before. This new iteration looks to help address regional access disparities within the UK film industry by offering high-quality training and career development to early career artists.

Twelve filmmakers from three regions across the UK - Yorkshire, Cornwall and Wales -  will be selected to take part in the challenge receiving support from this year’s Guest Mentor double Grierson Award winning, Emmy, BAFTA and RTS nominated filmmaker Alex Thomas. The selected filmmakers will each create a 3 minute non-fiction film in and around one of the three areas, receiving a micro-budget, equipment and guidance and support from Thomas. In addition they will be invited to take part in a three-day residential workshop that will explore aspects of the filmmaking journey, from idea development to distribution strategies. The finished documentaries will be presented at a public screening at the Festival on Saturday 13 June. 

Sheffield DocFest will also host several practical Amazon Prime Video Pathway Reskill/Upskill retraining and training workshops during the festival.

Alex Thomas, Filmmaker Challenge Guest Mentor said: "I'm really honoured to be part of this year’s Filmmaker Challenge. These kinds of opportunities, where emerging filmmakers are challenged to respond quickly, creatively, and with urgency, remind me of how I started, and of the many moments in our lives and careers when we’ve had to do the same. I’m looking forward to supporting each filmmaker as they shape their stories, and to learning from their perspectives too."

Marketplace:

Running in conjunction with the festival, Sheffield DocFest’s Marketplace connects new projects to industry partners, providing valuable networking opportunities, curated meetings, practical sessions and roundtables to support filmmakers at every stage of their careers. The 2026 programme includes Switchboard, where industry experts will advise on funding, distribution and partnership in addition to which delegates are in attendance; DocFest Roundtables which offer intimate sessions with specialists in series, festival, distribution and creative fields; workshops focusing on how to navigate funding and financing for documentary projects in the US; a series of industry networking events such as Snap Chats; film showcases that include four features from the Palestine Film Institute and three works-in-progress from BFI Doc Society; and returning for 2026 are two Marketplace breakfasts, this year supported by The Guardian in association with ARTE and Directors UK. 

The Marketplace programme also features DocFest’s annual hub for the best documentary talent, the Meetmarket. Over two days the 50 selected projects (previously announced here), will connect with leading international and UK industry representatives for one to one meetings, with an invited few presenting part of their documentaries to a room of industry experts to help progress their projects as part of the Meetmarket Rough Cut Presentations. Sheffield DocFest's Marketplace activities are supported by the BFI UK Focus Fund, awarding National Lottery funding.

Patrizia Mancini, Industry Senior Consultant: “We are delighted for the 2026 edition to extend again the Marketplace activities to the Saturday and we are pleased to be hosting three showcases featuring an array of incredible talents coming from Palestine, India and Bangladesh, in collaboration with the Palestinian Film Institute, Doc Edge Kolkata and Dhaka DocLab and thanks to the support of the British Council. 

This year we are pleased to welcome a group of talented filmmakers who will be part of the #DocsConnect Delegation. The #DocsConnect Delegation, run by Taskovski Films, is an international training and networking programme for documentary and non-fiction filmmakers. Operated by Taskovski Films Ltd., a London-based sales and production company specializing in independent films, it offers masterclasses, mentorship, and workshops led by award-winning industry experts. 

The programme also features two in-depth workshops with leading industry experts: filmmaker & producer Tracie Holder, Women Make Movies’ CEO Debra Zimmerman and producer Ryan Harrington. These sessions are open to all delegates and will offer a deep dive into new models for funding and financing strategies in the UK and the essentials of grant-writing.

Rounding out this exciting programme are our essential Switchboard & Consultancies and Industry Roundtables.

We look forward to welcoming creatives, storytellers, and industry experts to connect, discover, learn, and share in our common passion for non-fiction storytelling.”

Talent Meetings

2026 marks the 6th edition of  Amplify: Production Talent which provides support to eight early career professionals working in TV production by connecting them with UK production company executives in the factual/documentary TV sector for a series of one to one meetings, supported by BBC, Channel 4 and ScreenSkills.

The Production Hub

New for this year is DocFest’s Production Hub - a dedicated platform at the heart of the festival designed to spotlight the companies, people, and providers powering factual film and TV, ranging from music production to archives to equipment providers.

The Production Hub creates a focused commercial space for global visibility, international networking, and direct access to world-renown producers, filmmakers, and decision-makers at Sheffield DocFest.

As the #impact podcast approaches its 10-year anniversary, founder, host, and executive producer Regina Larko is opening the mic to the world.

With the launch of the “more #impact” series, listeners and everyday voices are invited to become part of the podcast, not just as traditional guests, but as contributors to a growing, global audio movement.

Since its launch in Hong Kong nearly a decade ago, #impact has grown into a recognised social-impact podcast, amplifying conversations around purpose, changemaking, and the Sustainable Development Goals. Now, as it moves toward its 10th birthday, the podcast is shifting from curated conversations to collective expression.

An Open Invitation to Be Heard

The “more #impact” series invites people from around the world to submit short audio reflections, stories, questions, or insights, creating a living archive of what impact sounds like in real life, right now.

No studio. No polished script. No gatekeeping.

Just your voice.

In a time where visibility is often tied to algorithms and performance, this series brings the focus back to something more human: the intimacy and immediacy of audio.

“There’s something that happens when you hear someone’s voice,” Larko explains. “You feel them. Their pauses, their energy, their truth. That’s where connection lives. And that’s where real impact begins.”

A Shared Goal: 1000 Voices by February 2027

Currently at 200+ episodes, #impact is setting an ambitious goal: to reach 1000 episodes by its 10-year anniversary in February 2027.

The “more #impact” series is a core part of that journey, turning the podcast into a collective effort, shaped by a global community of voices.

Open for Collaborations and Partnerships

As part of this next chapter, #impact is actively seeking collaborations with organisations, communities, media platforms, and brands that believe in the power of voice and storytelling.

From curated voice collections to live, offline activations and co-created audio experiences, the “more #impact” series opens up new ways to engage audiences through authentic, human stories.

How to Participate

Submissions are now open. Contributors can send in their audio via:
www.hashtagimpact.com/more

Whether you’ve been listening for years or just discovered the show, your voice is so welcome.

About #impact - A Podcast about stuff that matters

Founded by Regina Larko, #impact has been on air for social good since 2017. With listeners across the globe, the show has featured changemakers, social entrepreneurs, and thought leaders working towards a more sustainable and inclusive future.

PodGround is back with its second Creator Micro-Grant, giving independent podcasters the opportunity to receive funding, support, and resources to grow their shows. Two $500 micro-grants will be awarded to help with creative development, production, or promotional needs. Applications open May 4 and close May 15, 2026 at podground.io/grant.

The platform provides a supportive space where independent podcasters can connect, learn, and grow alongside others facing the same challenges. Through community, peer feedback, and practical resources, the platform helps creators overcome isolation, streamline production, and sustain their shows for the long term.

About the Creator Micro-Grant

In this cycle, the $500 micro-grant will be awarded to two podcasters to support creative development, production, or promotional needs. Applicants can submit entries from May 4 through May 15, 2026 at podground.io/grant. The judging panel for this round includes:

• Greg Wasserman of RSS.com
• Arielle Nissenblatt of EarBuds Podcast Collective
• Claire Waite Brown of Podcasting 2.0 in Practice
• Gab Burke (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
  …and other experts dedicated to creator wellness and sustainability.

"Podfade is real, but it’s often avoidable with the right support," said Remi Roy Osi, founder of PodGround. "Most new podcasters give up after just a few episodes. We’re building a space where creators don’t have to do it alone, and we’re backing that belief with direct funding and a platform that puts community first."

Previous Grant Winners

The first round of the PodGround Creator Micro-Grant in February helped podcasters like Cody Hufstedler and Denise Hamilton-Mace get funding and support:

• Cody Hufstedler, Host of Dying To Tell You
  Cody’s podcast shares deeply human stories from people facing serious illness. “Hearing these stories allows listeners to reflect on what’s truly important in life,” he says. The micro-grant helped Cody invest in marketing to reach a wider audience and expand the podcast’s impact. Click here to read Cody’s full interview.
• Denise Hamilton-Mace, Host of The Mindful Drinking & Moderation in Midlife Podcast
  Denise focuses on helping listeners rethink their relationship with alcohol in a judgment-free way. “Podcasting can be lonely. This grant felt like someone sitting beside me and saying, ‘You’ve got this. We believe in you,’” she says. Click here to read Denise’s full interview.

Supporting Independent Podcasters

While the podcast industry is booming, more than 50% of new podcasts don’t make it past their third episode. PodGround addresses these challenges by giving creators the resources, guidance, and community connections they need to thrive.

The platform blends social networking, cohort learning, a resource library, and live events, all designed for podcasters who want to grow without burning out. From one-on-one peer connections to virtual coworking and feedback sessions, PodGround reduces isolation and helps podcasters at every stage sustain their shows.

Key features include:

• A community hub to find collaborators, guests, and support
• Resource library with video breakdowns, summaries, and action guides
• Events, workshops, and meetups
• Virtual co-working sessions for accountability and live support
• Podcast-connected profiles to easily listen to and engage with other members’ episodes

What the PodGround Hosts Are Saying

“I wanted to thank you for the amazing community you're creating. A few months ago, I subscribed to many supporting groups and channels, and PodGround is the only one I attend now, as I feel I have found my tribe.” — Cecile L, host of Living the Dream: Women Reinventing Their Careers Abroad | Stories from the French Riviera

“I reached 1000 downloads a little while ago on my podcast! It might not seem like a huge accomplishment, but to me, it totally is! I've also seen growth implementing the tips and tools I've learned from PodGround events and resources. ” — Marquita G, host of Black in the Stacks

“Podcasting relies on community more than it often admits. Not every community works, but a niche one like this can concentrate on its core goals and draw in people who are ready to give as much as they hope to get.” — Tony Doe, host of Into the Podverse

About PodGround

Founded by Remi Roy Osi, an independent podcaster and community builder, PodGround helps creators grow without burnout. Remi hosts The Driven Introvert Podcast and has led live events and listening parties for podcasters across genres. Drawing from her own early challenges with isolation and podfade, she created PodGround to offer the support she wished existed when she started out.

PodGround is on a mission to reduce podfade and help creators sustain their voices for the long haul, through collaboration, community, and direct support.

Learn more or apply for the Creator Micro-Grant at: podground.io/grant

NOVA Entertainment today announced a major expansion of its content offering with the launch of Bush Deep, the network’s first-ever video-led series, created in collaboration with comedian Nikki Osborne and premiering on Tuesday, May 12.

The launch signals NOVA’s first step into video-first original storytelling, extending the network’s audio offering into a highly scalable, multi-platform format.

The new weekly comedy series is hosted by Osborne’s alter ego and social media sensation ‘Bushie’, with 30-minute episodes premiering on Osborne’s own YouTube channel, alongside the audio version available on all podcast platforms via the Nova Podcast Network. 

Bushie is already a recognisable figure in her own right and, for many fans, even more familiar than Osborne herself. Wildly Australian, completely unfiltered and unapologetically bold, the character has even been compared to ‘Crocodile Dundee’.

Bush Deep follows Bushie as she travels across Australia in search of a good yarn, sitting down with celebrities and everyday legends alike. With equal parts chaos and charm, Bushie asks the questions no one else would dare to…and always with tongue planted firmly in cheek. 

Boasting an online following of more than one million fans, Bushie brings her signature irreverence to a stellar lineup of guests throughout the series, including Larry Emdur, Manu Feildel, Steph Tolev, Colin Fassnidge, Osher Gunsberg and Colin Mochrie. No one is safe from her unique, hilarious brand of interrogation. 

Said Osborne, “It’s my absolute dream to pick up where Dame Edna and Croc Dundee left off and now that I’ve got a powerful machine like Nova behind me, well shoot, we might have a shot. Being the first video-led project with NOVA is a huge nod of respect and a responsibility I don’t take lightly. I’ve convinced a lot of execs that I know what I’m doing and now I have to prove it.”

Network Director of Nova Podcasts Rachel Corbett said, “Bush Deep is a really exciting step for us as we start to build out video-first originals alongside audio. Nikki has created a character people genuinely love, so we’re looking forward to expanding that across platforms. Bushie is loose, chaotic and very funny, but Nikki’s always in control and that balance is what makes it so watchable. We can’t wait to see where this show goes.”

Nikki Osborne is an Australian comedian, actor, producer, content creator, national columnist and ratings-winning Nova radio host. She studied acting at university, directing at AFTRS, advertising at AWARD School, and through her production company is often engaged by brands to create viral content.

Osborne’s credits include appearances on Dancing with the Stars, I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, Hughesy, We Have a Problem, Just for Laughs Uncut, Jim Jefferies and Friends, The Big Trip, Celebrity Name Game, Celebrity Mastermind, Quizmania, Kinne and Drunk History. Acting credits include Ned, The Mystery of Natalie Wood and Hoges.

Red Seat Ventures, a division of Fox Corporation’s (Nasdaq: FOXA, FOX) Tubi Media Group, today announced that Daniel Schneider has been named Vice President of Video Content Syndication & Licensing, reporting to Eric Pearce, Executive Vice President, Creator Operations.

Schneider brings more than a decade of experience building and scaling distribution businesses across MVPD, FAST, SVOD, AVOD and digital platforms. In his new role, he will lead Red Seat Ventures efforts to expand creator content beyond audio into video licensing, streaming platforms and emerging distribution channels — an expansion enabled by the company’s full-stack infrastructure across Supercast and Speakeasy.

“Our goal has always been to help creators unlock the full value of their content and Daniel is the right person to lead this effort,” said Chris Balfe, CEO of Red Seat Ventures. “ He brings a deep understanding of the distribution landscape across streaming and digital platforms, along with a track record of scaling businesses from the ground up. Alongside our platforms, Daniel will help drive creators’ expansion into new formats and broader audiences.”

Schneider has held senior roles across the streaming and digital media landscape, including leading distribution and business development at Cheddar, where he played a key role in scaling the digital news network from early-stage startup through its acquisition. Schneider has additionally held roles in content acquisition and partnerships at Sling TV, contributing to the launch of the first TV-over-the-internet service.

The daily live podcasting discussion show formerly known as Podcasting Morning Chat is officially rebranding to Podcasting Morning Show, with a new live streaming start time of 8:00 AM Eastern Time, beginning Monday, May 4, 2026.

The show is co-executive produced by Marc Ronick, the show’s founder, and Ralph Estep Jr. It has become a go-to destination for podcasters, creators, and industry professionals seeking real-time insights, collaboration, and community-driven conversation.

Why the Change?

The shift from 7:00 AM to 8:00 AM ET is designed to create greater accessibility for guests and contributors, allowing more voices to participate in the daily conversation.

“When I started this show, the goal was simple: bring podcasters together for real conversations that help them grow,” said Marc Ronick. “As the community has grown, it’s clear that evolving the format and time gives us the opportunity to include even more voices and make the experience stronger for everyone involved.”

“We’ve built something special with this community, and we want to make it even more accessible,” said Ralph Estep Jr. “Moving our live stream to 8:00 AM allows more creators to join us live, contribute, and be part of the conversation in a meaningful way.”

The updated name, Podcasting Morning Show, reflects a broader vision: positioning the program as more than just a chat, but a dynamic, structured show that blends expert insights, industry news, and interactive audience participation.

Where to Watch and Participate

Podcasting Morning Show will continue to be a fully interactive, live experience:

• Join live conversations on Clubhouse
• Watch live streams on YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn
• Engage in real time through audience participation on stage and in chat

What Listeners Can Expect

• Daily live discussions with podcasters and industry experts
• Expanded guest access and broader participation
• Conversations focused on podcast growth, monetization, and strategy
• A collaborative environment built for creators at every level

Join the Conversation

Podcasting Morning Show streams live Monday through Friday at 8:00 AM ET starting May 4, 2026. It is also available via podcast a few hours after the live stream concludes.

For more information and to join the live experience, visit:
https://podcastingmorningshow.com

About Podcasting Morning Show

Podcasting Morning Show is a daily live show and podcast, dedicated to helping podcasters grow, monetize, and improve their craft through real-time conversation, expert insights, and community engagement. Built on collaboration and shared learning, the show brings together creators from around the world to start their day with actionable ideas and meaningful discussion.

Daylight Media today announced the launch of Homicide 360, a new true crime podcast created and hosted by Anna-Sigga Nicolazzi and Scott Weinberger, the team behind the hit podcast Anatomy of Murder.

Homicide 360 takes listeners inside real criminal investigations, telling each story through the voices of victims' loved ones, investigators, and prosecutors.

Nicolazzi and Weinberger bring rare insider credentials to the genre: Nicolazzi spent 21 years at the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office, 16 of those as a member of its elite Homicide Bureau, where she specialized in complex cases and left as Chief of Trials. Weinberger began his career as a deputy sheriff, then moved on to become an Emmy Award-winning investigative journalist whose career has been defined by unparalleled access to law enforcement. In 2024, he spent two years embedded inside a police department, contributing to the investigation that resolved a 40-year-old cold case murder.

The show launches with a two-part premiere built around the testimony of a survivor of a home invasion and double homicide — a moving opening episode for a podcast that puts victims at the centre of every story.

Homicide 360 is available on all major podcast platforms from 26 May.

Flightpath, the industry’s leading inventory management solution and predictive analytics platform for on-demand media, today announced a new partnership with Lemonada Media, one of the top independent podcast publishers in the U.S. Through Flightpath’s forecasting and campaign performance prediction, Lemonada will elevate its sales operations, planning processes, and data strategy; bringing greater precision, visibility, and scalability to its rapidly growing business.

The collaboration equips Lemonada’s revenue team with centralized traffic management capabilities, forecasting intelligence, and real-time performance insights, enabling more accurate inventory planning, improved campaign execution, and stronger alignment between content, sales, and advertiser demand. With a consolidated view of inventory across platforms, Lemonada will be able to proactively manage inventory, optimize campaign pacing, and identify new revenue opportunities, while streamlining workflows and improving operational efficiency.

“We’re excited to partner with Flightpath to bring greater clarity and precision to our forecasting and campaign management,” said Mike MacDonald, Lemonada's Head of Revenue.  “As our business continues to scale, having deeper visibility into our inventory and performance allows us to better support our creators and deliver stronger, more strategic outcomes for our advertising partners.”

“As long time fans of Lemonada, we are thrilled to partner with them to support their continued growth,” said Laurie Belleau, Chief Revenue Officer at Flightpath. “Lemonada has built a premium, creator-first network offering a compelling slate of shows that reaches an audience of millions with their engaging content. Flightpath brings together reliable inventory forecasting and predictive analytics to provide the visibility and control needed to drive sustainable revenue growth.”

For inquiries about Flightpath, contact laurie@flightpath.fm.

abandoned: The All-American Ruins Podcast, the Ambie Award-winning show from multidisciplinary artist Blake Pfeil, returns for its fourth season on April 30.

Part of the Airwave Media Network, the podcast blends immersive sound design, field recordings, archival tape, and personal journals to reinvent real-world explorations of abandoned spaces across the U.S. and beyond.

Season 4, “Fading Transmissions from a Republic of Ruins,” opens with a live-recorded episode developed with support from Green Box Arts in Colorado, using a performance-driven approach that moves beyond traditional live podcast experiences. The season also expands its structure with guest hosts: Atlas Obscura co-founder Dylan Thuras, storyteller Stev Hull-Allen, and returning collaborator Isabel Wilder, a Signal Award winner for her Season 3 episode “Frozen in Time.”

The season was also produced with support from Radio Kingston’s community podcast program, part of the Hudson Valley station’s broader push to expand what community radio can be for independent audio makers and broadcasters. Across the season, abandoned continues its focus on the cultural, historical, and emotional landscapes of forgotten places, with episodes spanning Colorado, Kansas, Texas, New Mexico, California, New York, Vermont, Minnesota, and Missouri. The show won the 2026 Podcast of the Year Grand Prize from the American Writing Awards and previously reached No. 1 on Apple Podcasts’ Travel & Places charts.

As live podcasting evolves beyond traditional stage recordings, abandoned reflects an experimental shift toward immersive, performance-driven formats. Developed through funded residencies like Green Box Arts and supported by hyper-local platforms like Radio Kingston, the show points to an emerging production model—one that combines community infrastructure and funding, live events (including the most recent edition of On Air Fest and the upcoming NYC Podcast Awards Live Listening Party on June 5), and boutique network distribution to create new creative and financial pathways for independent audio producers. Seasons 1–3 are available now on major podcast platforms.

This year's event features a dynamic lineup of panels, fireside chats and the region's most anticipated audio showcase, all designed to spark conversation among creators, journalists, educators, and media professionals.

From explorations of video podcasting across the Arab world to bold Arabic-language voices tackling politics, feminism and civil society, PodFest Cairo 2026 expands its reach beyond Egypt to celebrate the full breadth of Pan-Arab audio storytelling. The centerpiece of the afternoon is The ECCO Listening Session of Pan-Arab Audio Stories, in partnership with Goethe Institut Amman, hosted by award-winning documentarian, journalist and storyteller Jasmin Bauomy.

Organized by AUC’s JRMC’s Professor of Practice Kim Fox, PodFest Cairo has become the heartbeat of Egypt's podcasting community and a growing voice in the wider Arab audio landscape. If you make podcasts, love podcasts or have simply been meaning to start one, PodFest Cairo is the place to be.

PodFest Cairo is free and open to the public. Sessions will be held in English and/or Arabic. Unfortunately, simultaneous translation will NOT be provided.

Follow PodFest Cairo on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and X/Twitter for updates. The conference hashtag is: #PodFestCairo.

PodFest Cairo is Egypt and Africa’s inaugural podcasting conference, featuring conversations and networking focused on cultivating the podcasting community in the region.

London Fields Cricket Club (LFCC) is proud to announce a new partnership with hit global podcast channel The Bugle, who will become the club’s official sponsor for the 2026 season. This collaboration brings together a grassroots community cricket club and one of the UK’s most distinctive satirical voices, united by a shared commitment to community engagement, creativity, and a passion for cricket.

As part of the partnership, The Bugle will actively support LFCC’s ongoing charitable work, particularly its fundraising efforts for St Joseph’s Hospice, helping to expand the reach and impact of initiatives such as the club’s annual Charity Sixes Tournament, as the club look to pass the £20,000 donation mark for the local charity.

The Bugle’s support will also be visible on the field, with its logo set to feature on a unique London Fields Cricket Club kit for the 2026 season, symbolising the fusion of sport, humour, and community spirit that defines both organisations. LFCC, based in Hackney, has long been recognised for its inclusive ethos and strong local presence, and this partnership marks an exciting new chapter in its development.

“Statistically speaking a Bugle / Andy Zaltman sponsorship is pretty unprecedented. We’re not sure it’s not an act of satire. That said, we’re delighted be able to support our local causes, in collaboration with The Bugle” – Billy Bowry, LFCC Captain

“The Bugle scoured the sporting world to find for the best team to sponsor. Despite several hundred of the world's leading clubs and franchises - from American major league behemoths and Formula 1 zoomsters, to giants of European football and top-ranked husky-dog sledding outfits - basically begging to have The Bugle emblazoned on their kits, we decided London Fields Cricket Club was the optimum possible partner.” – Andy Zaltzman, The Bugle

Created to spotlight creators exploring the unexplained, the Parapod Podcast Awards celebrates standout storytelling, production quality, and audience engagement across a wide range of paranormal genres.

“Parapod was created to give paranormal creators the recognition they deserve and to celebrate the voices shaping the future of this genre,” said Tony Sweet, founder of the Parapod Podcast Awards.

“We’re proud to continue building a space that celebrates the creativity and passion driving this category forward.”

A Growing Platform for Paranormal Podcasting

Now in its fourth year, the awards span multiple categories reflecting the diversity and evolution of the genre:

PARANORMAL

• Best Overall Paranormal Podcast
• Best Ghost / Haunting Podcast
• Best UFO / UAP Podcast
• Best Psychic / Medium Podcast
• Best Cryptid Podcast
• Best Archaeology / Ancient History Podcast
• Best Metaphysical / Spiritual Podcast
• Best Psychic
• Best Newcomer
• Best Paranormal TV Show

TRUE CRIME

• Best True Crime Podcast
• Best Investigative Podcast

HYBRID / CONSPIRACY

• Best Conspiracy Podcast

PERFORMANCE & PRODUCTION

• Best Host / Podcast Personality
• Best Production & Sound Design

2026 Special Honors Announced

• George Noory – Living Legend Award
• Erich von Däniken – The Cosmic Legacy Award (Posthumously)
• Nick Pope – The Disclosure Leadership Award (Posthumously)
• David Wilcock – The Cosmic Visionary Award (Posthumously)

Supporting Podcast Creators Through Spreaker

The Parapod Podcast Awards is proud to announce its official Media Sponsor and Distribution Partner, Spreaker, part of Triton Digital and the iHeartMedia family of brands.

All eligible submissions will receive:

• Consideration for inclusion in Spreaker Prime
• Promotional visibility across Facebook and Instagram
• Exposure to new listeners, creators, and industry partners

Award winners will receive:

• Inclusion in Spreaker Prime
• Featured promotional spotlight
• Additional social media promotion
• Recognition as one of the top paranormal podcasts of the year

Submissions Open May 1, 2026

Podcast creators, networks, and producers across the United States are invited to submit their shows beginning May 1, 2026.

About the Parapod Podcast Awards

The Parapod Podcast Awards is a U.S.-based program dedicated to recognizing excellence in paranormal podcasting.

Magellan AI has been a preferred attribution partner for iHeartMedia across podcasts, streaming audio, connected TV, and other digital media. This expansion extends measurement capabilities to broadcast radio, enabling advertisers to evaluate performance across audio and digital channels within a unified framework.

Magellan AI’s platform will leverage iHeartMedia’s simulcast data, which maps listeners exposed to broadcast radio to measurable outcomes. Attribution reporting powered by that data will be available exclusively to advertisers working with iHeartMedia.

Advertisers using the solution will gain deeper insights into how radio campaigns deliver full funnel results, including web visits, form fills, leads and purchases. By combining measurement across the full spectrum of audio and digital channels, Magellan AI provides a complete view of how campaigns perform across the media mix.

“Advertisers want clearer insight into how every channel contributes to outcomes,” said Cameron Hendrix, CEO and Co-Founder of Magellan AI. “Our expanded partnership with iHeartMedia brings broadcast radio into the same attribution framework as digital audio and other media, giving brands a more complete view of campaign performance.”

“iHeartMedia has always focused on helping advertisers understand the power of audio,” said Lainie Fertick, President, iHeartMedia Insights. “By combining Magellan AI’s attribution technology with our proprietary in-market simulcast data, we’re providing brands with deeper visibility into how broadcast radio works alongside podcasts, streaming audio, connected TV, and other channels to drive meaningful results.”

For more information about iHeartMedia and Magellan AI, visit iHeartMedia.com and magellan.ai.

Podcasting has always been about meeting listeners where they are, and now that includes video on Apple Podcasts.

Buzzsprout is excited to announce that video distribution to Apple Podcasts is out of beta and available to all Buzzsprout podcasters, today.

Creators can now upload a single file to Buzzsprout, and easily send video to Apple Podcasts while continuing to distribute audio everywhere else.

“We’re seeing a lot of excitement around video on Apple Podcasts, and we think it creates a real growth opportunity for indie podcasters,” said Alban Brooke, Head of Marketing at Buzzsprout.

All Buzzsprout video plans include transcripts, so podcasters can give their audience more ways to enjoy each episode in Apple Podcasts. Listeners can listen, read, or watch all in one place.

Video distribution to Apple Podcasts is available today, with more video destinations planned for the near future.

SuperAwesome, the leader in data, technology, and services for safely engaging Gen Alpha and Gen Z, today announces an exclusive advertising partnership with Tinkercast, the audio-first children's media company behind Wow in the World – the #1 kids and family podcast globally.

SuperAwesome will serve as Tinkercast's exclusive direct-sales advertising partner, connecting brands with Wow in the World's millions of co-listening families across a premium, brand-safe environment, alongside Tinkercast’s other award-winning podcasts.

Created by Tinkercast and hosted by podcast pioneers Guy Raz (How I Built This) and Mindy Thomas (SXM’s Kid’s Place), who were both named among The Hollywood Reporter's "50 Most Powerful Players in Kids Entertainment" in 2024, Wow in the World is the most listened to kids and family podcast of all time.

Wow in the World has expanded into a 360° franchise that connects laughter to learning through New York Times bestselling books, the first-ever podcast-based toy lines, and sold-out live shows across the U.S. Tinkercast podcasts have logged a staggering 300 million lifetime listens, with 5.7 million hours of listening in the past year alone.

“Tinkercast has set the bar for what great audio content sounds like”, said Jed Baker, Head of Audio at SuperAwesome. “Partnering with these highly talented creators and the most exciting brands means kids and families can continue to benefit from well-funded and engaging content. We can’t wait to help brands succeed with the highly attentive families listening to Tinkercast’s slate of quality, scaled shows.”

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Awesome Audio, the only platform solely dedicated to supporting and growing kids' and families' podcasts,” said Meredith Halpern-Ranzer, CEO and Co-Founder at Tinkercast. We have long admired the amazing team at SuperAwesome for their commitment to protecting Gen Z and Gen Alpha, and we look forward to growing new relationships with kids, families, and brands in ways that are authentic, trusted, and true to our shared missions.”

The deal introduces the leading podcast to Awesome Audio, the largest kids & family audio ecosystem delivering over 18 million listens per month across its shows. Through the partnership, SuperAwesome will connect Tinkercast’s audience with global brands, reaching an audience that includes 92% of parents who listen alongside their children.

This year is shaping up to be full of ‘WOW’ moments for Tinkercast. In addition to the 11th season of Wow in the World, which debuted on May 4, 2026, Tinkercast will also release a new season of their hit podcast game show, Two Whats?! And A Wow!, as a vodcast every Friday beginning May 8th, 2026.

As one of the first kids and family vodcasts, Two Whats?! And A Wow!: People Who Wow Edition will feature special guests - from celebrities that parents and kids love, to people with cool jobs, to real everyday kids. With each episode, kids and families will learn more about the guest and, more importantly, how to make real, human connections in an increasingly digital world.

Tinkercast will also expand its YouTube footprint with simulcast releases on both YouTube and podcast feeds of its top shows, including Wow in the World, Two Whats?! And A Wow! and Who, When, Wow!.

The partnership underscores SuperAwesome’s continued momentum in delivering the next generation of engagement for the next generation, bringing together premium content, trusted environments, and scale to help grow the youth digital ecosystem.

UTA brokered the partnership and represents Raz, Thomas, Tinkercast, and its programming.

Presented by CrimeCon, the world’s largest event for genre consumers, crime experts and professionals, the CLUE Awards will take place Saturday, May 30 at Caesars Palace, during CrimeCon’s annual, three-day flagship event.

Alongside its full list of nominees across true crime content – and its finalists for “People’s Choice: Creator of the Year,” presented by Investigation Discovery – CLUE has unveiled the recipients of its prestigious “Crimefighter of the Year” honor: Jena-Lisa Jones, Haley Robson and Courtney Wild, Jeffrey Epstein survivors and members of The Survivors, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to guiding sexual assault survivors by offering vital resources and personalized life coaching. Previous Crimefighter of the Year recipients include The Black & Missing Foundation, The Gabby Petito Foundation, America’s Most Wanted creator and NCMEC co-founder John Walsh, and the families of Abigail Williams and Liberty German, along with Lt. Jerry Holeman and Prosecutor Nicholas McLeland. 

Additionally, the finalists for CLUE’s “America’s Greatest Detective” award, presented by Law & Crime, have been revealed. This award honors the incredible investigative work of crime-solving law enforcement professionals across the country. The 2026 finalists include: Tara Augustin and Alyson Dupouy, decorated detectives for Maryland’s Montgomery County PD known for their recent contributions in solving the Leslie Preer cold case; Jenn Benjamins, retired sergeant of the Las Vegas Metropolitan PD and founder of law enforcement training company Covert Blue LLC; and Vicki Rains Pearson, sergeant with the Richland County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina, recently featured in Netflix documentary Missing: Dead or Alive.

The CLUE Awards ceremony will close out programming for “Day 2” of CrimeCon 2026. In addition to Hansen, the ceremony’s presenters will include On Patrol: Live analyst Tom Rizzo, CSI Creator Anthony Zuiker and lauded crime scene investigator Sheryl McCollum, among many others.

The 2026 CLUE Award nominees – across TV, podcasting, film and publishing – include:

TV: Outstanding Docuseries

• Death Cap: The Mushroom Murders | (Stan, CNN, Netflix UK) Dreamchaser, Den of Martians and Fifth Season
• Girl on the Run: Hunt for America’s Most Wanted | (Hulu) Plum Pictures and ABC News Studios
• Death of a Showjumper | (Sky) Walk on Air Films and Sky Studios 
• Amy Bradley is Missing | (Netflix) Ample Entertainment
• Betrayal: Under His Eye | (Hulu) ABC News Studios and Glass Entertainment Group

TV: Outstanding Episodic Series

• FEDS | (Investigation Discovery) Orit Entertainment and October Films
• Desert Law | (A&E Network) Twenty Twenty Productions
• 24 Hours in Police Custody: Murder is No Game | (Channel 4) The Garden Productions
• On the Case with Paula Zahn | (Investigation Discovery) Scott Sternberg Productions, Inc. and Weinberger Media
• The Death Investigator with Barbara Butcher | (Oxygen True Crime) Wolf Entertainment, Alfred Street Industries and Universal Television Alternative Studio, a division of Universal Studio Group

TV: Outstanding Scripted Series

• Dark Winds | (AMC) AMC Studios
• Paradise | (Hulu) 20th Television
• Reasonable Doubt | (Hulu) 20th Television and Onyx Collective
• RJ Decker | (ABC) 20th Television
• Only Murders in the Building | (Hulu) 20th Television

Podcast: Outstanding Docuseries

• Burden of Guilt | Glass Podcasts in partnership with iHeart Podcasts
• Hunting the Bogeyman | Perfect Cadence
• Blood is Thicker: The Farris Wheel | 48 Hours (CBS News)
• Shipwreck | Audible and Sugar23
• Betrayal | Glass Podcasts in partnership with iHeart Podcasts

Podcast: Outstanding Episodic Series

• 48 Hours: Post Mortem | 48 Hours (CBS News)
• True Crime Recaps | Jellysmack and Trendly
• Lawless Planet | Audible
• One Minute Remaining | Mashed Pumpkin Productions PTY LTD
• Mind Over Murder | Another Dog Productions and Absolute Zero Productions

Outstanding Documentary Film

• My Father, the BTK Killer | (Netflix) Campfire Studios
• Night in West Texas | (Theatrical) Myths of Monsters, Naked Edge Films and Texas Monthly
• Prince Andrew: On Trial | (Channel 5 / True Royalty) Good TV
• Unknown Number: The High School Catfish | (Netflix) Campfire Studios in association with Terminal B TV
• Ruby Red Handed: Stealing America’s Most Famous Pair of Shoes | (Hulu) Committee Films in association with ABC News Studios

True Crime Book of the Year

• Something Big: The True Story of the Brown's Chicken Massacre | (Post Hill Press) Written by Patrick Wohl
• Expert Witness | (Grand Central Publishing) Written by Dr. Ann Wolbert Burgess
• Out of the Woods | (Thomas & Mercer, an imprint of Amazon Publishing) Written by Gregg Olsen
• Injustice Town | (Pegasus Books) Written by Rick Tulsky
• Chasing Down the Zombie Hunter | (Pegasus Books) Written by Troy Hillman

People’s Choice: Creator of the Year (Presented by Investigation Discovery)

• Annie Elise (“SERIALously,” “10 to LIFE”)
• Crime Stories with Nancy Grace – Nancy Grace
• Crime Weekly – Stephanie Harlowe, Derrick Levasseur
• Courtroom Confidential – Joshua Ritter
• The Prosecutors – Alice LaCour, Brett Talley

About CrimeCon

CrimeCon is an immersive three-day experience for true crime fans, creators and leading industry professionals. Since its launch in 2017, CrimeCon has connected thousands of true crime enthusiasts with the mysteries, cases and issues that intrigue them. With a heavy focus on education, CrimeCon features speakers, panels, breakout sessions, hands-on experiences and more, allowing fans to completely delve into the world of true crime. Created by fans, for fans, CrimeCon brings together the true crime community for a weekend filled with learning, understanding and advocacy. The event is produced by Red Seat Ventures, a digital media company based in New York City. For more information, visit www.CrimeCon.com.

The ABC today announced a new podcast hosted by Annabel Crabb for ABC listen, History Or Hoarding? launches 22 April in collaboration with the State Library of New South Wales. Amateur historian and library enthusiast Annabel Crabb delves into the remarkable, surprising and sometimes strange items hidden deep within the institution’s vast collection. 

Across eight episodes, the series takes listeners behind the scenes of the library’s secret stacks as it marks its 200th year.

Accompanied by producer Rachael Cusick (formerly Radiolab) and researcher Julia O’Shea, Annabel is surprised to discover that of six million items in the library’s collection, only two million are books.

Annabel Crabb said, “There are seven underground floors beneath the library, and the stuff down there is wild. Alongside treasures like Matthew Flinders’ hat or a ribbon from the Sydney Harbour Bridge opening are the more unexpected finds – fruit sticker collections, century-old menus and even a confronting amount of human hair. Every object has a story attached.

But most of all, it’s a story about the people preserving these items in an effort to capture our collective memory – and how subjective those decisions can be. What we choose to keep says as much about us now as it did two centuries ago.”

Jessica Radburn, Head of ABC Audio on Demand said, “We often underplay the incredible value our cultural institutions offer us. Their impact goes beyond cataloguing and preserving; they are society’s memory palace. Who better than Annabel Crabb to uncover the stories, characters and objects behind our institutions in this enlightening and often laugh out loud funny journey through the hallowed stacks of the State Library of NSW in this first season of History Or Hoarding?”

Dr Caroline Butler-Bowdon, NSW State Librarian said, "The State Library of NSW has been a place of curiosity for 200 years, with a history as rich - and sometimes as unexpected - as its world-renowned collections. Beneath the building, our underground stacks hold everything from rare journals and maps to surprising gems. We were thrilled to invite Annabel Crabb and Rachael Cusick behind the scenes to explore this wonderfully curious and complex place, alongside our expert staff, for History Or Hoarding? I can’t wait for audiences to hear what they discover.”

History Or Hoarding? is produced by Rachael Cusick for the ABC in collaboration with the State Library of New South Wales.  Episode 1 is available now with new episodes dropping each Wednesday on ABC listen or wherever you get your podcasts.

The demand for video within podcasting is growing rapidly. To meet this, Acast is reinforcing its local content team with two key hires focused specifically on video.

Otto Jorméus joins as Content Director, bringing extensive experience from his previous role as Editor-in-Chief for Fotbollsmorgon, where he spearheaded the development of one of Sweden's most successful formats in sports and video. Joining him is Gustaf Angelin, stepping in as Video and Podcast Producer, with a broad background in productions that seamlessly merge audio and moving images.

“With Otto and Gustaf joining the team, we’re adding the specialized expertise needed to better meet listeners exactly where they are. Otto’s experience in building powerful formats and Gustaf’s production skills are vital additions to our mission: making video a natural layer of the podcast experience. Audio remains the heart of everything we do, and we’re now ensuring it reaches its full potential across all visual channels,” says Josephine Forssjö Hellstrand, Content Director Nordic at Acast.

Acast has also upgraded its studios in Stockholm and Oslo. These investments mean that video is now an integrated part of the core offering — a solution that makes it easy for both creators and advertisers to make video a natural part of their podcast business.

“By uniting the right expertise with a seamless infrastructure, we are taking the next step in our Nordic growth journey. Our video initiative meets a growing demand from both creators and advertisers, reinforcing our position as an innovation leader in podcasting,” says Jenny Frängsmyr, Managing Director Acast Nordics. “This initiative isn't a change in our core; it’s an expansion of our commitment to keeping creators at the center of the conversation, regardless of the format.”

In conjunction with these hires, Acast is rolling out its partnership with Apple Podcasts to distribute video podcasts using HLS in Sweden. As one of the first global partners in Apple’s new video integration, Acast gives listeners the ability to seamlessly switch between audio and video directly in the app. For creators, this means video can now be published while maintaining full dynamic advertising capabilities.

In Sweden, the initiative launches exclusively with Framgångspodden, Det Skaver, and Hör Här, with more titles set to join throughout the year.

The Resilient Retail Game Plan, the weekly podcast for independent retailers hosted by retail expert and business mentor Catherine Erdly, and produced by Podknows Podcasting has reached two significant milestones simultaneously: its 300th episode and more than 1 million total downloads.

Launched in 2020 during the first Covid-19 lockdown, the show has grown into one of the UK's leading resources for independent and small retail business owners, covering stock management, cash flow, profit margins, retail mindset, and business resilience.

To mark the occasion, episode 300 takes stock of the themes that have defined the show across six years of continuous publication. Rather than introducing new content, Erdly uses the episode to curate the four back-catalogue episodes she considers the most essential entry point for any independent retailer — covering dead stock and cash flow (episode 278), the SHOPS financial framework (episode 262), profit margin strategy (episode 259), and retail mindset and resilience (episode 296).

"I started recording this podcast from my tiny office in the middle of a pandemic," said Erdly. "Since then, the retail industry has gone through what I'd almost describe as a perma-crisis — there hasn't been a single year where everything has just been fine. And yet I'm genuinely optimistic about the future of independent retail. The fundamentals haven't changed: stock, profit, and mindset. That's what 300 episodes keep coming back to."

The show is the main marketing channel for "Resilient Retail Club", Erdly's membership community for independent retailers, and the annual industry event Retail Roar (retailroar.co.uk).

Episode 300, "Retail Stock, Profit, and Mindset: The Three Pillars of a Resilient Business," is available now on ALL platforms.

Links to all four recommended episodes can be found in the latest podcast post at resilientretailclub.com/podcast.

15 percent of Sweden’s population aged 15–74, corresponding to 1.2 million people, listen to audiobooks on an average day during the first quarter of the year. Of these, just under 70,000 listen exclusively via Spotify, indicating that the service’s contribution to daily reach is still limited.

Spotify’s much-discussed entry into the audiobook market has not yet had any major impact on the total number of listeners, says Fredrik Liljeqvist, Principal Analyst at Mediavision. Most people who listen to audiobooks via Spotify also use other services, suggesting that many are trying it out while keeping their existing audiobook subscriptions.

Looking at all listening on Spotify, music still dominates, accounting for just over 75 percent of total listening time on the service. Audiobook listening represents just under five percent in Q1. At the same time, the number of households with access to a paid audiobook service nearly doubled when Spotify launched audiobooks for premium subscribers by the end of 2025.

The launch of audiobooks on Spotify represents a shift in the market, even if the immediate effects on listening have been limited so far. As awareness grows and user behaviors evolves, there is potential for both increased competition and a stronger audiobook segment.

A major new European study into advertising trends signals a clear turning point for audio, with 96% of advertisers planning to maintain or increase spend. 

The research, Sound Check Europe 2026, conducted by Bauer Media Audio in partnership with Elevate Consultancy, is based on responses from more than 1,000 senior agency and advertiser decision-makers across nine markets, making it one of the most comprehensive snapshots of audio advertising attitudes in Europe and the UK.

Its findings point to a market shifting decisively toward audio. 86% of advertisers now consider it a core part of their media strategy, as budgets begin to move toward channels that deliver trust, attention and measurable impact.

Crucially, this shift signals the market starting to close the gap between extensive evidence of audio’s effectiveness and current levels of investment.

In the UK, the study shows that the market has already moved past questioning whether audio works, with 91% of respondents saying it is important to their strategy. However, growth is uneven: 59% of agencies expect their investment in audio to increase, compared with 47% of brands. This suggests that the UK no longer needs convincing about audio’s effectiveness, it now needs to focus on activation.

The study highlights how audio is moving from a supporting role to a central pillar of modern media planning:

• Digital audio comes of age: Advertisers in Europe view digital audio as a brand-safe (70%), high-quality environment that combines broadcast-scale reach (66%) with digital targeting and flexibility. In the UK, 81% say broadcast delivers scale while digital adds perception and that the two play complementary roles (79%). 
• Podcast boom gathering pace: 82% of advertisers in Europe say podcasts reach highly engaged audiences, with 47% planning to increase podcast investment. In the UK, 79% of advertisers are aware of podcast formats, yet only 49% consider podcasting important, signalling significant untapped opportunity. 
• Effectiveness evidence remains key to unlocking further investment: Across Europe, only 13% of advertisers confidently use audio attribution tools (dropping to 10% in the UK), yet 73% in Europe and 68% in the UK say they would invest more if stronger evidence of effectiveness were available.
• AI adoption rises with trust a key barrier: Advertisers are embracing AI in audio for its speed, scalability and efficiency, but concerns around brand risk, trust and the impact on human creativity remain significant, with 38% citing trust as the biggest barrier.

A proven opportunity with room to grow

The findings are supported by a strong body of international evidence demonstrating audio’s effectiveness and scale. Across Europe, audio accounts for around a fifth of total media consumption but attracts only a c. 5% share of ad investment, while consistently delivering above-average ROI and acting as a multiplier for wider campaign performance.

In the UK, advertisers are already recognising audio’s importance, the priority now is translating confidence into greater investment and more sophisticated use of the channel. The gap between strong audience engagement and relatively low spend signals a clear opportunity - particularly in areas like digital audio and podcasting, where capabilities are still underutilised. 

Taken together, the findings suggest audio is becoming an increasingly powerful force in a fragmented media landscape, offering advertisers a rare combination of scale, trust, attention and proven commercial impact, with clear headroom for further growth.

Simon Kilby, MD, Bauer Media Advertising (UK), says: "In the UK, we’re seeing growing demand for channels that deliver both scale and accountability - and audio has proven it can do both. In a media landscape where advertisers need digital first solutions and trusted, brand-safe environments, audio is increasingly standing out.”

Simon Myciunka, President Audio, Bauer Media, comments: 

“Advertisers are no longer testing audio, they’re scaling it. When nearly half of the market is either increasing or maintaining audio spend, that signals a fundamental shift. But the bigger story is the opportunity. Audiences are already there, effectiveness is proven, and now is the time for investment to grow.

The direction of travel is clear. Advertisers aren’t asking whether audio works anymore - they’re deciding how fast to scale it. Those that do will see the advantage first.

For us at Bauer Media Audio, this is about turning that momentum into something actionable. We are working with customers on strategic partnerships that bring clearer impact, stronger cross-channel planning, better data integration, and measurable outcomes for advertisers across all our markets.”

DeTraglia will serve as a strategic narrative engine for Nielsen marketing, sitting at the intersection of data, culture and technology.  She will be based out of Nielsen’s New York headquarters and report to Sacha Weinberg, Nielsen’s Head of Global Marketing. 

"Julie has a rare talent for transforming data into clear, actionable strategy. She doesn't just look at where the market has been—she identifies the signals that tell us where it’s going next,” said Weinberg. “Her ability to synthesize deep historical insights with current market dynamics will be a game-changer for how we deliver value to our clients in a constantly evolving landscape."

DeTraglia most recently served as Vice President of Ads Measurement at Netflix. Prior to that, she was Global Head of Sports Strategy and Research at Amazon. She previously held research leadership roles at Disney, Hulu and NBCUniversal. 

Nielsen is focused on creating solutions and products with its clients. The company has recently hired several top executives who held leadership positions at major national clients, including:

• Peter Naylor, Nielsen Chief Client Officer (previously of Netflix, Snap, Hulu and NBCU)
• Roberto Ruiz, Nielsen Head of Measurement Science (previously of TelevisaUnivision)
• Seth Ladetsky, Nielsen Head of Global Sports (previously of WarnerBros. Discovery) 
• Trevor Fellows, Nielsen Head of Advertiser/Agency (previously of NBCU)
• Sacha Weinberg, Nielsen Head of Global Marketing (previously of Amazon, Disney)

Today, London Records announce the launch of a brand-new podcast, Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story - an immersive, star-studded deep dive into one of pop’s greatest untold stories: the confidence, chaos and cultural impact of one of the UK’s most influential record labels.

Starting with the rise of the label through the early ‘80s — London Records’ defining era – the series transports listeners right back to its stratospheric heyday and goes on to course through three decades of music supercharged with hits, misses and bold reinventions that reshaped the pop landscape forever.

Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story places the label firmly amongst the ranks of pop culture legend: a powerhouse combination of DIY-driven, maverick spirit and an almost unfair knack for turning bold ideas into global hits. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94uuvDmUIPU

From early success with Bananarama and Blancmange, international domination with Bronski Beat and Fine Young Cannibals, street savvy antidote to 90s manufactured bands (East-17, All Saints) and onto Orbital, Goldie and the UK dance music explosion, this brand-new, tell-all podcast delves into the risk-takers, rule-breakers, unlikely triumphs and some spectacular failures that defined the sound of a generation. 

Host and journalist Siân Pattenden is joined by an all-star line-up of London Records signings including Goldie, Paul Hartnoll (Orbital), Sara Dallin and KerenWoodward (Bananarama), Siobhan Fahey (Bananarama, Shakespears Sister), DanniiMinogue, Shaznay Lewis (All Saints), Reverend Richard Coles (Communards), Tony Mortimer (East 17), Roland Gift (Fine Young Cannibals) Neil Arthur (Blancmange) and many more, including broadcaster Miranda Sawyer, and former London Records staffmembers, novelist and screenwriter John Niven, DJ and A&R Supremo Pete Tong, and DJand broadcaster Sean Rowley.

Across five episodes, together they unearth the punk ethos that coursed through London Records’ distinctive style of pop; the risk-taking, art-school attitude behind its sometimes undercelebrated hits; the rave revolution and dawn of hip-hop and drum & bass; the anarchic hedonism that threatened to split the label apart; and finally the label’s renaissance in recentyears, with exciting new talent such as Alewya and Joalin and new music from original legends like Goldie and Orbital. 

Featuring revelatory interviews and all of London Records’ best known tracks, Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story is the greatest record label story you’ve never heard.

Weekly episodes drop at 6am every Wednesday.

Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story is produced by Podmasters, home to the likes of Talk 90s to Me and The Bunker, and one of the UK's leading independent podcast networks with a reach of well over two million monthly listeners. 

Laura Kelly, London Records MD says: "The London Records Story podcast traces the roots of a label like no other; its meteoric success, notorious excess and the extraordinary artists and records that shaped music culture. As London Records moves into a new era, balancing emerging talent with legendary names, the podcast unpacks the label’s original DNA and takes listeners back to a time when the music industry was at its most electric, revealing what it was really like to work inside a record label at its peak."

John Niven, author, screenwriter and former London A&R added: "Working at London Records was like going on an SAS raid performed by the cast of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.” 

Sioban Fahey (Shakespears Sister / Bananarama) says: “I’ve worked with London Records throughout my career, from my days with Bananarama through to two albums with Shakespears Sister, even reuniting with the label again for a new EP in 2019. The label’s history is one of both spectacular hits and epic misses, with a cast and crew like no other. Listening again to this podcast reminds me just how extraordinary and sometimes unlikely this journey was!”

Coinciding with the podcast’s launch, London Records will also release a 2CD / digital compilation Hit That Perfect Beat. The ideal companion to the brand-new podcast, the new compilation will be released June 12 and showcases the incredible success, breadth and variety of London Records — featuring over 40 top 40 hits, 20 top 10 hits, 15 top 5s and 5 number 1s.

Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story launches on 6 May 2026 across all streaming services, with new episodes released weekly. The Hit That Perfect Beat is out digitally on 6 May 2026 and available on 2CD from 12 June 2026

The first episode of Hit That Perfect Beat: The London Records Story drops on 6 May 2026.

Vox Media, the leader in modern media, announced its latest podcast partnership with The Red Flags Podcast, the #1 Formula 1 focused podcast produced in the U.S., hosted by longtime friends Brian Muller and Matt Elisofon. Launched in 2021 after they became obsessed with Drive to Survive, The Red Flags Podcast series reimagines Formula 1 through an entertainment-first lens, offering a fresh perspective for longtime fans and newcomers alike. The show blends insightful commentary with humor to explore the personalities, rivalries, and cultural moments that make F1a high-speed spectacle both on and off the track. 

Building on the success of The Red Flags Podcast, Muller and Elisofon also launched a special series, Vankah Hours, where they are joined by former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner. Every Wednesday, they share insightful predictions and behind-the-scenes perspectives about racing teams.

“We’ve always considered our podcast to be the dumbest show in the Formula 1 space, so joining the smartest network in podcasting feels like the ultimate thought experiment,” said Muller and Elisofon. “Honestly we can’t wait to see how this plays out — whether Vox Media makes us smarter or we bring them down to our level. Either way, it’ll be as thrilling as the sport itself.”

“I have managed teams without money or resources for years so when I started Vankah Hours with Matt and Brian it felt close to home… unfortunately,” said Steiner. “Now we’re joining Vox Media and all of a sudden people are taking us seriously. I have no idea how this happened. Neither does Matt. Neither does Brian. But here we are, and we are not going to ask too many questions.”

“Brian and Matt have built the definitive F1 podcast for the Drive to Survive generation that also speaks to the diehards,” said Lillian Xu, vice president of podcasts at Vox Media. “Together with Guenther, they have created a deeply informed, irreverent, unfailingly fun show and we’re so excited to partner with them and grow the business together.” 

At Vox Media, The Red Flags Podcast joins one of the largest U.S. podcast publishers and a slate of influential series including Pretty Tough with Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova, Bird’s Eye View hosted by world-renowned athlete Sue Bird, Pivot hosted by journalist Kara Swisher and entrepreneur Scott Galloway, The Curiosity Shop hosted by research professor Brené Brown and organizational psychologist Adam Grant, and more.

As part of this rollout, Libsyn creators can now publish video podcasts directly to Spotify starting today, alongside other distribution channels, enabled by Libsyn’s completed integration with Spotify’s Distribution API.

This milestone reflects Libsyn’s broader video strategy. As video becomes an increasingly important part of podcasting, Libsyn is doubling down on a simple premise: give creators one platform to publish everywhere and monetize across formats – all without added complexity. Spotify’s continued investment in native video, including its Spotify Partner Program updates and Distribution API, signals a broader shift toward multi-format consumption. As a launch partner, Libsyn enables creators to publish and monetize video podcasts directly on Spotify without changing hosts, extending reach to one of the fastest-growing video podcast platforms.

Libsyn’s Approach to Video: Open, Accessible & Built for Scale 

Libsyn is taking an open, creator-first approach to video, making video podcasting available to its entire creator base – not just a select few. As of today, all creators using Libsyn can publish and distribute video across Spotify and YouTube – with Apple Podcasts rolling out soon – making Libsyn among the first platforms offering this level of open, cross-platform video distribution at scale.

“We view video as a natural progression for podcasting – it gives creators more ways to engage audiences, deepen storytelling, and grow their businesses,” said Brendan Monaghan, President and CEO of Libsyn. “Creators don’t want to choose between audio or video, or between platforms. That’s why we’re opening video to every Libsyn creator – not hand-selecting a few shows. We believe the platforms that win in this next era of podcasting won’t be the ones that limit access – they’ll be the ones that empower creators at scale.”

As podcasting expands across platforms, Libsyn is prioritizing openness, accessibility, and monetization – while ensuring creators aren’t left to absorb the full cost of video on their own. The goal is simple: expand reach and discovery without adding complexity, while preserving what makes podcasting work: authentic conversations and loyal audiences. 

Apple Podcasts HLS Video Integration: Coming Soon

Libsyn is also proud to be a partner in Apple’s new HLS video rollout, with availability coming soon. This is another step forward in our strategy to expand access to video distribution and monetization – empowering creators to reach audiences in the ways that work best for them. 

Effective today, all existing Libsyn customers have access to video functionality within their current plans, with pricing starting at an industry-leading $8 per month. Spotify distribution functionality is available on plans starting at $25 per month. New creators can visit Libsyn.com to begin their video podcasting journey with a 30-day free trial.