BBC Audio

Annie Brown And Thomas Curry Join BBC Studios Audio

~ jen

BBC LogoRichard Knight – Director, BBC Studios Audio, announced the appointment of 2024 Ambie award winner Annie Brown as Executive Editor in the U.S.

BBC Studios Audio was created in 1 April 2024 following the transfer of some audio production from the BBC’s in-house production team to BBC Studios, the broadcaster’s commercial arm. The move established a multi-genre audio operation in BBC Studios which makes high quality programming for BBC audiences and explores opportunities in the global audio market. 

BBC Studios Audio productions include Desert Island Discs, In Our Time, This Cultural Life, Things Fell Apart, You’re Dead To Me, The News Quiz, I Am Not Nicholas, Evil Genius, History’s Secret Heroes, The Infinite Monkey Cage, To Catch A Scorpion, and many more.

Annie will be based in New York where she will lead BBC Studios Audio’s US strategy, oversee development for US audiences and platforms and work closely with development executives and producers in the UK.

She has a stellar track record as a producer and creative leader on The New York Times’ The Daily and 1619 podcasts. She also created the smash hit serial podcast, Ghost Story, with Wondery and Pineapple Street Studios. Ghost Story won the 2024 AmbieÒ Award for Best Documentary Series.

Thomas Curry is also joining Knight’s top team as Head of Production. Thomas will lead production management across BBC Studios Audio and oversee the delivery of a breath of outstanding content to the BBC and global platforms.

A British Podcast Award winner, Thomas brings a wealth of commercial and production experience to the role having worked with Apple, Audible, CBC, Criminal, Crooked, Love + Radio, Spotify, Wondery and others.

Annie and Thomas take up their positions this summer.

Richard Knight, Director, BBC Studios Audios, says: “At BBC Studios Audio, we’re proud of where we came from. Our heritage is unique. But we’re also excited about where we’re going. Our transfer to the BBC’s commercial arm opens up new possibilities and I’m delighted Annie and Tom are joining to help us explore them.”

Annie Brown says: “I’m thrilled to be joining such an exciting team and looking forward to supporting the future growth of the BBC Studios.”

In addition to appointing Annie Brown and Thomas Curry, BBC Studios has also hired Ella Woods as is first dedicated podcast marketing manager and Mary Milan as its first dedicated podcast insights analyst. 

Acast and BBC Renew International Podcast Deal

~ jen

Acast, one of the most eminent podcast platforms, has renewed its podcast arrangement with the BBC. The deal means that Acast will continue to monetize BBC podcasts through advertising outside of the UK.

Acast and the BBC first started working together in 2018, when the BBC first opened up advertising space in its podcasts internationally. Since then, Acast and the BBC have worked to increase the number of listeners as well as the revenues for the BBC’s impressive podcast portfolio, which covers news, drama, factual and entertainment. During this period, the BBC has launched over 300 new shows and Acast has helped to position the BBC as one of the world’s leading podcast producers.

The new three-year agreement covers all BBC podcasts available outside of the UK and will see Acast support the broadcaster to further grow its podcast audience and revenue in key markets, including the US.

Jonathan Wall, Controller of BBC Sounds, said: “We know how much people enjoy listening to the BBC’s trusted news, brilliant entertainment podcasts and radio programmes around the world. It’s also vital that we bring revenue back to the BBC on behalf of the license fee payer so we can invest in more valued content for our audience, so its great to be continuing to work with Acast to achieve that.”

“The BBC began producing podcasts in 2004, long before Acast even existed – it truly is the original podcasting powerhouse. It’s been a very strong three years for its podcast business, and for Acast, and we’ve both been at the heart of an industry that has grown exponentially during that time, To renew our partnership for another term is a real endorsement of Acast’s people, our technology and our vision, and we look forward to supporting the BBC as a global podcasting player for many years to come,” said Acast CEO, Ross Adams.

BBC Launched New Creative Development Unit Focused on Podcasts

~ jen

BBC announced that BBC Radio’s in-house production division – previously called BBC Radio & Music Production – has relaunched as BBC Audio with a new development unit that is focused on podcasts.

The Creative Development Unit (CDU), based in Bristol, will turbocharge the production division’s podcast ambitions. The CDU team will draw upon the creative and production expertise across BBC Audio’s four production bases to develop landmark podcasts as well as partnerships and co-produced audio projects for the BBC. They will also work with teams and individuals – new to podcasting – on pitching and development.

The Creative Development Unit is a team of four people. It is led by Clare McGinn, who previously ran BBC Audio’s production department in Bristol. It builds on the success of recent BBC Audio podcasts including James Acaster’s Perfect Sounds and The Missing Cryptoqueen for BBC Sounds, Forest 404 and Evil Genius for Radio 4, 13 Minutes to the Moon and Fall of the Shah for World Service, and the BBC Earth podcasts for BBC Studios.

BBC Audio produces speech, music, and events programming for BBC Radio, The World Service, and BBC Sounds. The BBC Audio site showcases new and existing podcasts, as well as the full breadth of output and services from music and speech radio to entertainment formats and live events.