Fremantle Australia launches into podcasting with Acast

Fremantle​, global leaders in scripted and unscripted content, and the world’s largest podcast company, ​Acast​, today announced a partnership that will further propel local development and production of premium audio-on-demand content in Australia.

The announcement marks Fremantle’s launch into the world of podcasting by its Australian division, selecting Acast to distribute and monetise its audio content to a local and global audience. Fremantle has been operating in the podcasting space since November 2018, when it launched its scripted podcast label, Storyglass.

Chris Oliver-Taylor, Fremantle CEO, Asia-Pacific, said: “This is a natural progression for Fremantle’s Australian team to link with Acast to bring our innovative programming and production techniques to the world of podcasting, mirroring the success of our international divisions that have been hugely successful in this growing and exciting genre.”

As Fremantle’s hosting and distribution partner, Acast will deliver the strongest technical infrastructure for Fremantle to manage, distribute and monetise its podcasting content across all major podcasting platforms. The partnership creates a synergy that combines Acast’s podcast and podcast advertising expertise with the production and audience entertainment experience of Fremantle.

Guy Scott-Wilson, Acast’s Content Director, said: “Our partnership with Fremantle reinforces Acast’s commitment to be the home of compelling independent podcast content in Australia. There are so many exciting and important Australian stories to be told – we’re delighted to be working with Fremantle to tell and share them with the world through the medium of podcasting.”

Fremantle’s partnership with Acast commences with the launch of a new true crime podcast, Chasing Charlie, available from Monday 18th May. Further podcasts are planned to launch this year.

In Chasing Charlie, Melbourne private investigator, Julia Robson, retells a gripping eight-year manhunt that flung from Victoria across the globe. Narrated by Robson herself, the six-part docu-series, unfoils the masculine dominance of the true-crime genre by placing the unwavering PI at the centre of a cat and mouse game with a sadistic conman. With episodes dropping weekly, listeners deep dive into Robson’s quest to avenge the dozens of women

psychologically and financially thwarted by the elusive Charlie. Her hunt will lead her face to face with the manipulative conman.

Chasing Charlie launches on Monday 18th May and will be available on Acast, Apple Podcasts or wherever you choose to listen.

About Fremantle Media

Fremantle is one of the largest and most successful creators, producers and distributors of scripted and unscripted content in the world. A global entertainment powerhouse, Fremantle has an outstanding international network of production teams, companies and labels in over 30 countries. We produce in excess of 12,000 hours of original programming, roll out more than 70 formats and air 400 programmes a year worldwide. The group distributes over 20,000 hours of content in more than 200 territories. Fremantle is also a world leader in digital and branded entertainment, with more than 370 million subscribers across 1,500 social channels and over 100 billion views across all platforms.

In Australia, Fremantle productions include the hugely successful ​Australia’s Got Talent, Celebrity Name Game, Great Australian Bake Off, Grand Designs Australia, Escape from the City, The Recording Studio​ and ​Restoration Australia;​ and original drama such as ​Wentworth,
Picnic at Hanging Rock and Neighbours. Fremantle is also at the forefront in the creation and production of digital media content, brand integration and brand extensions including the popular Grand Designs Magazine and Australia’s number one selling board game, Family Feud.

Chasing Charlie marks the release of Fremantle’s first podcast in Australia.

About Acast

Acast is the world’s biggest podcast company and the engine powering creators, advertisers and listeners everywhere. Its services are the most sophisticated available and are constantly being updated with innovative new tools and functionality.

Acast hosts ​more than 10,000 shows worldwide, monetizing and growing global smash hits including My Dad Wrote a Porno, The Earios Network, Julia Gillard’s A Podcast of One’s Own, and Stephen Fry’s 7 Deadly Sins, as well as podcasts from publishers such as the BBC, the Guardian, The Economist, VICE and many more.

Co-founded in Sweden in 2014 by Johan Billgren, Acast’s team of more than 200 audio lovers are creating a sustainable and open podcast ecosystem — ensuring the whole industry continues to grow and flourish. The company has sales teams on the ground in 13 markets around the world, including the UK, US, Mexico, Australia, France and Germany.

About Julia Robson

Originating from New Zealand, Julia joined the NZ Police at the early age of 20 before gaining international experience through her work as a Corporate Investigator in the United Kingdom. During her time in London she travelled throughout Europe conducting undercover surveillance and investigated internal theft, fraud and a range of intellectual property based investigations.

Taking the knowledge learned from her time in Europe and ongoing training in America she has created a unique skill and niche expertise in the online investigation arena, and is widely identified as Australasia’s premier Internet Profiler. She is now a Private Investigator based in Melbourne.