The BBC has long dominated audio production in Britain, writes Eshe Nelson of the New York Times. “But new podcast companies are taking inspiration from America and finding investors to shake up the industry.” Broccoli Productions founder Renay Richardson says that the BBC is stifling variety and growth.
“When I created Broccoli, I didn’t know where the money was coming from, but my main goal was not to be dependent on the BBC because every other company is,” Richardson said in an interview. The Equality in Audio Pact creator has pushed back against the BBC’s size and budget with seven-figure funding from Sony.
Jake Warren, founder of the podcast company Message Heard, says that audio production companies in Britain “have basically lived feast to famine predicated on how many BBC commissioning rounds they win.” With a second round of independent funding, he plans to “co-opt” the American approach.
From April 8-10, Brooklyn’s On Air Fest will stream free for the first time. The fifth annual audio festival will be full of podcast industry and creative programming. Among the speakers are Roxane Gay (Hear to Slay), Renay Richardson (see above!), and Nate Sloan and Charlie Harding (Switched on Pop).
Attendees of an Audible session will be able to pitch concepts to executives one-on-one, as well as go behind the scenes with the hosts of Code Switch, Apple Podcasts’ 2020 ‘show of the year.’ Brittany Luse and Eric Eddings, co-creators and former hosts of The Nod, will reunite to host programming all day Saturday.
Entries are now open for “Official Selects,” a new platform showcasing short-form audio throughout the event. Podcasters and producers can submit new, experimental works under 10 minutes in length. The deadline for submissions, to be judged by a panel of leading audio creatives, is Friday, March 26th.
Two more weeks to go, dear readers: Now’s the time to wrap up those proposals (or start one, we don’t judge). Check details and FAQs here.
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