Indie podcasters get onto the Radio France platform

Radio France and the PIA (Syndicate of Independent Audio Producers) sign an agreement to feature independent professional podcast publishers on the Radio France platform

The PIA – Syndicate of Independent Audio Producers announces the signing of a distribution agreement with Radio France, enabling the inclusion of editorial podcasts produced by independent professional publishers on the Radio France platform (app and website).

This is the first structured agreement of its kind between Radio France and independent native podcast producers, formalised through their representative professional organisation. The agreement opens up new visibility for independent audio creation within a leading public service platform, while establishing a clear, rigorous framework that respects editorial balance.

An initiative led by the PIA to support the structuring of the sector

Radio France has appointed the PIA as its reference professional organisation, tasked with identifying and proposing a selection of podcasts that meet high standards of editorial quality, professionalism and economic structuring.

This role as a trusted third party highlights the collective expertise of PIA members and the organisation’s long-standing work to professionalise the sector.

The agreement also recognises the sustained efforts of the PIA to have native podcasting acknowledged as a fully-fledged professional cultural sector.

Podcast inclusion is based on a principle of dual consent: studios put forward their programmes, while Radio France retains full editorial control over the final selection.

Featured podcasts will be clearly identified to listeners as programmes “from elsewhere”, ensuring transparency and clearly distinguishing them from content produced by Radio France’s public service stations.

“This agreement sends a clear signal: independent audio creation fully belongs at the heart of the French audio ecosystem. As President of the PIA, I am particularly proud to have led, alongside Sybille Veil and the Radio France teams, a demanding and constructive dialogue grounded in shared values of editorial quality, creative ambition, pluralism and public service.” — Katia Sanerot, President of the PIA

An agreement serving diversity and pluralism

In line with Radio France’s public service mission, the agreement contributes to:

• strengthening the diversity of editorial offerings available to audiences,
• supporting high-quality independent creation,
• positioning the Radio France platform as a key destination for podcast listening in France, at a time of strong competition from international platforms.

First rollout phase from February 2026

From early February, PIA member publishers and producers participating in this first phase will be progressively integrated into the Radio France app, including: Bababam, Billy the Cast, Binge Audio, Compagnie du Savoir, Feuille Blanche, Kidsono, Lacmé, Louie Media, Nouvelles Écoutes, Studio OHZ, Taleming and Tann.

A key step in a broader fight for recognition of audio works

While this agreement represents a major step forward, it also forms part of a wider context: one in which the podcast sector remains insufficiently recognised by public authorities.

To date, native podcasting is still one of the few cultural media sectors without a dedicated legal framework or public support mechanisms comparable to those available to audiovisual media, online press or music.

Alongside institutions and public stakeholders, the PIA intends to continue its work towards the formal recognition of audio works, a prerequisite for the long-term sustainability and diversity of independent audio creation in France.

About Radio France

With its seven complementary national radio networks (France Inter, franceinfo, “ici” and its 44 local stations, France Culture, France Musique, Fip and Mouv’), reaching more than 14 million listeners every day; its four musical ensembles (the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, the Orchestre National de France, the Choir and the Maîtrise); and its concert venues at the Maison de la Radio et de la Musique, Radio France is France’s leading radio group, the country’s largest podcast producer, and a major cultural and musical institution. In 2025, the Radio France platform recorded 1.1 billion listens and now has over 3 million user accounts. Through the continued expansion of its digital presence, Radio France makes its programmes and concerts increasingly accessible to audiences nationwide, in line with its public service mission.