The Podcast Show celebrates its 5th edition with biggest ever international line-up and full 2026 programme reveal

The Podcast Show, the biggest international festival for the business of podcasting, returns for its fifth edition this week with the biggest and most internationally diverse programme to date.

This year’s sessions reflect the continued evolution of podcasting into a global, multi-platform entertainment industry. From video and live experiences to monetisation, IP and creator-led communities, the programme explores how podcasts are shaping the future of media, culture and storytelling.

Taking place across two days at London’s Business Design Centre on 20-21 May 2026, this year’s show is expected to welcome record attendance numbers, with delegates travelling from more than 50 countries across Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa and Australia.

Since launching in 2022, The Podcast Show has established itself as the world’s leading gathering for the podcasting industry, bringing together creators, platforms, brands, broadcasters, studios and emerging talent to help understand the present and shape the future of the medium.

Global and iHeartPodcasts return as Headline Partners for 2026, continuing a strategic partnership that brings iHeart’s podcast shows to the UK and Global Studios’ flagship podcast shows to the US, while showcasing Global Studios as the ultimate one-stop-shop for podcast creators, with best-in-class monetisation, seamless distribution across all major platforms, and the marketing power of Global’s radio, digital and outdoor network.

International Growth & Focus

Year-on-year, The Podcast Show has seen a significant uplift in international attendance, cementing it as a worldwide destination for the podcast industry – a place where cross-market collaboration, industry discussion and partnerships begin.

This year, the show introduces two new spaces to support this growing global community:

International Stage & Networking Lounge in association with Podimo. This will be a dedicated space designed to encourage global collaboration, discussion and networking between international creators, studios and platforms.

The International Stage will feature speakers and sessions from across Australia, the US, Canada, Germany, France, Denmark, Italy, The Netherlands and beyond, with discussions focused on international monetisation, audience growth, global storytelling and the future of podcasting worldwide.

Highlights include sessions on international monetisation featuring Corey Layton (Head of iHeart Strategic Partnerships and Product, ARN), Carrie Lieberman (COO, iHeartPodcasts), Greg Glenday (CEO, Acast) and Morten Strunge (CEO & Founder, Podimo), alongside international trend discussions including ‘Why True Crime Travels’ and a special Ambies-focused session.

Creator Economy Focus

A new addition for 2026 is the Creator First Stage, in association with Arcade, hosted by Jordan Schwarzenberger and Arcade, the team behind the UK’s biggest creators, Sidemen. 

The stage will explore the rapidly evolving creator economy through conversations around fandom, community, audience growth, platform strategy and creator-led businesses. Designed for creators, brands and fans, sessions will help delegates navigate the future of content.

Sessions include:

• The Fight for the Living Room TV**:** Jamie Laing on capturing audience attention in a streaming-first world.
• To Niche or Not to Niche?: Jordan Schwarzenberger deep dives into whether you should niche down or stay broad. Who gets the most views? Who makes the most money? What is the best route?

Programme Highlights

More than 450 speakers and 170 sessions will take place across nine stages during the two-day festival: The Origin Theatre in association with Global Studios and iHeartPodcasts; The Creator First Stage in association with Arcade; Talking Podcasts; Ask The Experts in association with BetterHelp; The Creator Stage in association with Canon; The International Stage powered by Podimo; The Studio Stage; The Indie Business Stage in association with AudioUK; and The Brand Works Stage in association with IAB UK and Sounds Profitable.

Day 1 Highlights include:

• Breaking The News with The News Agents - with Emily Maitlis & Lewis Goodall (The News Agents), Vicky Etchells (Director of Podcasts, Global) and Tom Hughes (Editor, The News Agents).
• A New Era for Podcasting: Video on Apple Podcasts - with Susie Warhurst (Head of International, Apple Podcasts), Laura Hagen (SVP, Americas & Global Head of Agency Partnerships, Acast) and Toni Lodge & Ryan Jon Dunn (Toni and Ryan).
• Beyond Ads: How Brands are Aligning with Podcasts in 2026 - sponsored by iHeartMedia, with Ethan Fixell (SVP, Ruby Studios by iHeartMedia), Alanna Vaughns (Revenue Partnerships Lead, BBC Studios); and Benish Mahmood (Head of Global Partnerships, Publicis Media Content).
• The Power of Content Curation: Driving Scale, Quality, and Measurable Outcomes in Audio - sponsored by Simplecast/AdsWizz.
• Lights, Camera, Audio! The Tech that powers leading Podcasts - From First Setup to Studio Quality - sponsored by Canon, with Tom Storey (Technical Product Specialist – Pro Video, Canon UK), Dan Chung (Content Creator & Head of UK PR, Nanlite), and Nick Stillman (Head of Sales & Marketing EMEA, RØDE).
• Can I Really Trust A Creator With My Brand? - with Sarah Ray (Commercial Director, Global), Joe Baggs (Not My Bagg), Ethan Fixell (SVP Branded Content, iHeartMedia), Callum ‘Calfreezy’ Airey (Co-Founder, The Fellas Studios) and Joe Copeman (Director, Commercial, Global Studios).
• Vulnerable Confessions: How to Fail’s Greatest Fails - sponsored by Sony Music, with Elizabeth Day (Host, How to Fail) and Alex Lawless (Executive Producer, Sony Music).
• Roman Mars: A Life in Sound, in Conversation with Fiona Sturges - sponsored by BBC Studios, with Roman Mars (Host & Producer, 99% Invisible), Fiona Sturges (Podcast Reviewer, BBC Culture), and Richard Knight (Director of Audio, BBC Studios).
• Local Loyalty vs. Global Algorithms: Simon Myciunka in Conversation with Tyler West - sponsored by Bauer, with Simon Myciunka (President of Audio, Bauer Media Group), and Tyler West (Broadcaster).
• Delve into Narrative Storytelling - with Al Riddell (Head of Podcasts, Content & Production, Global), Lewis Goodall (The News Agents), Benedict Townsend (Host of Vine and YouTuber News, Global), and Mary Goodhart (Producer, Global).
• The Global Rise of Podcasting: Why Audio Works for Brands - sponsored by iHeartMedia, with Andy Kelly (EVP Global Brand Partnerships, iHeartMedia), Beth Hatchett (Creator Agent, United Talent Agency), and Delphine Terrioux (Data and Insights, PHD).
• Say It Louder: Why Podcasts Can Change The Way Men Talk About Mental Health - sponsored by BetterHelp, with Spencer Matthews and Brittany Clevenger (Senior Director, BetterHelp).
• Show Me The Money: Global Monetisation, Distribution & IP - sponsored by Podimo, with Richard Bacon (Why Are You More Successful Than Me?), Morten Strunge (CEO, Podimo), Greg Glenday (CEO, Acast), Carrie Lieberman (COO, iHeartPodcasts) and Corey Layton (Head of iHeart Strategic Partnerships and Product, ARN).
• How TV Titans and Star Creators are Growing their Business in the New Video-First Age - sponsored by PAVE Studios, with Piers Morgan (Host, Piers Morgan Uncensored); and Max Cutler (Founder, PAVE Studios).

Day 2 Highlights include:

• The $1 Billion Question: Where Is the Next Growth Coming From? - sponsored by AudioUK, with Chris Baughen (CEO, AudioUK), Rhyanna Coleman (Director of Strategy, Platform Media), Vicky Etchells (Director of Podcasts, Global), and Christiana Brenton (CRO, FlightStory).

• Fun Fishy Facts: How No Such Thing as a Fish Got Results & Reaction for TV Licensing - sponsored by Audioboom, with Nicola Ager (Head of Marketing, TV Licensing), Andy Murray and Dan Schreiber (Co-Hosts, No Such Thing As A Fish).

• Workshop: Podcasting & AI: Trends, Ethics, and Efficiency - sponsored by YouTube.

• From Podcast to Global Show: The Rest Is Football - with Alex Aljoe (Presenter, Goalhanger), Gary Lineker (Co-Founder, Goalhanger) and Jack Davenport (Goalhanger).

• Podcast Shows at the FIFA World Cup 26 - presented by Global Studios, with Gabby Logan in conversation with Scott Melvin (CEO, The Overlap), Jamie Carragher (The Overlap), Callum ‘Calfreezy’ Airey (Co-Founder, The Fellas Studios) and Elliot Hackney (COO, The Fellas Studios).

• Up To Speed: Launching a Podcast Show on YouTube The Right Way - with Vicky Etchells (Director of Podcasts, Global Studios) in conversation with Naomi Schiff (Up To Speed) and Mairi Brewis (Head of MediaCo and Responsibility Partnerships UKI, YouTube).

• Beyond Attention: Proving Podcasts Drive Action with DAX ID - presented by Global’s DAX, with Faye Trinquart (Market Strategy Lead, DAX Audio), and Nat O’Shea (Head of DAX Sales, DAX Audio).

• The Era of the One-stop-shop for Podcast Advertisers - with Fatima Dowlet (Director, Commercial, Video Sales, Global) and Matt Morris (Social Video Sales Director, Global).

• From Running Clubs to Retreats: Innovative Ways to Expand Your Indie Podcast - with Sangeeta Pillai (Masala Podcast).

• Why Your Podcast Isn’t Making Money Yet - with Bernard Achampong (Founder and Chair, Unedited and AudioUK) and Ayesha Taylor-Camara (Consumer Insights Manager, Bauer Media).

• Built to Last: How Creators Turn Belonging into Revenue - sponsored by Patreon.

• Podcasting’s Future is Free-Flowing - sponsored by Acast, with Greg Glenday (CEO, Acast).

• Selling Across The Atlantic - with Alexia Bedat (Partner, Klaris), Stephanie Wittels Wachs (CEO, Lemonada), Charlotte Wolf (Chief Operating Officer, Novel) and Grace Ross (VP of Business Development, Pushkin Industries).

Networking

Across both days, The Podcast Show’s partners will host a series of dedicated networking events designed to bring together delegates from across the industry.

Events include:

• The Official Podcast Show x Patreon Sunset Party
• The Official Party
• 5th Birthday Drinks
• Executive Networking Dinner at Frederick’s
• Leaders in Podcasting Networking Breakfasts
• Platinum Pass Holders Lunch Reception
• Drinks ‘n’ Darts Happy Hours
• The Creator Social
• The Acast Arms Happy Hour
• Amazon Art19 Brunch
• The Podcast Academy Governors’ Awards Drinks
• South Asian Podcasters Meetup
• Latin America Spotlight Meetup
• International Podcasters Meetup
• Freelancers’ Meetups

The hugely popular PodHouse sessions also return with partner-hosted discussions from Voxtopica, Arqiva, Transistor, Bumper, Spotify, Podscribe and The Audio Academy.

Meanwhile, PAVE Studios returns with The Bus Stop: a dedicated social hub for creators and delegates located outside the main venue entrance.

The Creator Advice Lab will also return, offering creators access to industry experts and practical advice across production, monetisation, audience growth, legal, branding and video podcasting.

Jason Carter, The Podcast Show’s Co-Founder and Festival Director, says: “As we celebrate the fifth edition of The Podcast Show, it’s a moment to reflect on how the industry has helped us grow the event into a truly international gathering for the global podcast community. This year’s programme reflects where the industry is heading: internationally connected, video-first and incredibly influential across entertainment, culture and business. We’re proud to be welcoming delegates from more than 50 countries for our biggest and most internationally diverse show yet.”

Final tickets and full programme information are available now at thepodcastshowlondon.com

The Podcast Show 2026 is produced by AV Media & Events (AVME), a joint venture between SME London and GetOnMedia.