Podcast Radio

Podcast Radio Signs Deal With Local Radio Networks

~ jen

In an exciting new partnership, Podcast Radio, the innovative radio format known for adapting popular podcast content for the radio audience, with KMG, have signed a deal with Local Radio Networks (LRN), marking LRN’s first foray into all-talk formats. This collaboration will make Podcast Radio’s unique spoken word format available through the LRN delivery platform, allowing it to be ingested directly into each affiliates automation system.

Gerry Edwards, CEO of Podcast Radio, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership: “We are beyond excited to be partnering with LRN. Our respective teams have engaged like kindred spirits in the sharing of tech and platform advancements. We cannot wait to hear Podcast Radio brands executing on the LRN platform that will allow stations an unparalleled degree of programming flexibility that is simply not common in the Talk syndication industry.”

Podcast Radio, established in the UK and now a global player in the radio market, brings an innovative approach to traditional radio by featuring a curated selection of podcasts in a format designed to appeal to both existing podcast enthusiasts and traditional radio audiences. This partnership is expected to enhance the listening options for LRN’s audience, providing engaging, high-quality talk content available both 24/7 and throughout the schedule as dayparts.

Steve Swick, President and CEO of Local Radio Networks, commented on the partnership: “We’re excited to partner with Podcast Radio to bring this innovative format to our partner’s and broadcast groups. It’s an excellent opportunity to diversify our 24/7 Music Formats and content offerings and introduce a fresh, dynamic listening experience to our audience and affiliates alike across radio dials.”

Gary Krantz, CEO of Krantz Media Group (KMG), who is overseeing the management of Podcast Radio’s syndication, added, “We are excited to expand Podcast Radio’s presence into Local Radio Network’s ecosystem. Together, we’re creating a new way for listeners to discover and enjoy the best in podcast content through the familiar and trusted medium of radio.”

This strategic partnership sets a new standard in talk radio, leveraging Podcast Radio’s expertise in content curation and LRN’s robust distribution network to deliver a compelling all-talk radio format to a broad audience and multiple broadcast markets. Podcast Radio is available on both a cash and barter basis. Network advertising sales is being handled by Adlarge Media.

Podcast Radio Launches Production House

~ jen

Podcast Radio has launched a new production house to create, promote, and distribute podcasts alongside its radio stations.

The new venture will provide end-to-end bespoke podcast production solutions to brand partners worldwide.

Suitable podcasts will be made and distributed on Podcast Radio itself and other platforms such as Apple, Spotify and Google. Podcast Radio will also provide promotional opportunities by way of advertising campaigns and on-air interviews with the podcast host or contributors.

Gerry Edwards, Founder and CEO of Podcast Radio, says: “This is a natural extension of what we do. We’ve made our own Podcast Radio Originals for some time but we now want to extend our extensive production skills to brand partners as well.”

Podcast Radio aims to take podcast content to radio listeners. It plans to begin distributing a 24/7 American version of its programming to radio stations and groups across the US beginning soon. It has partnered with New York-based KMG Networks to syndicate the programming. 

Podcast Radio currently plays podcasts in full but is developing an innovative short-form version of its output which will sit alongside its main radio channel and growing brand extensions for Crime, Comedy and Business.

For more information about the new production house, please see its new website.

 

Podcast Radio’s Podcast Futures Conference To Take Part In New York

~ jen

Podcast Radio has announced an international conference which will be held as part of NAB Show New York.

Podcast Futures will be held on Wednesday 19th October at the Javits Center on 11th Avenue in Manhattan. Full details of speakers, sponsors and registration will be announced soon. The Podcast Futures thought-leadership event follows a similar successful conference in Westminster, London, in February.

Once again, the theme is Getting Podcasts Heard, with fresh insights into podcast consumption, monetization, trends and technology, including a special exploration of podcast integration into new platforms and vehicles.

Gerry Edwards, CEO of Podcast Radio, says: “We’re excited to be part of this massive, well-attended NAB Show New York organized by the National Association of Broadcasters. Our event will run parallel with the NAB Show New York’s first day.”

“The idea is to explore the biggest challenge facing the industry right now, whether you’re a corporate player or an indie, and that is quite simply getting your podcast heard. Podcast Radio uses the trust and familiarity people have in radio to help supersize podcast discoverability.”

Chris Brown, NAB executive vice president and managing director, Global Connections and Events, says: “Podcast Futures is an exciting addition to the line-up of dynamic conferences and exhibits in store for our return to an in-person NAB Show New York.”

“With its focus on providing a unique perspective of the podcasting ecosystem, Podcast Radio offers an insight into the latest trends reshaping audio entertainment and the cutting-edge programming that captures audiences’ attention. We look forward to exploring this evolving form of storytelling with Podcast Radio at NAB Show New York.”

Podcast Radio launched more than two years ago and has grown in listenership with a focus on increased use of smart speakers and digital devices. Over half its online listenership is in the U.S. The platform plays sample episodes of podcasts, clips from podcasts, as well as interviewing podcast producers and presenters.

The company raised investment earlier this year and plans for expansion into the US. Nation Broadcasting was a strategic investor.

Recently, Podcast Radio Business was launched, the first of a series of brand extension channels that will also include Podcast Radio Comedy and Podcast Radio Crime.

Nation Broadcasting Acquires Strategic Stake in Podcast Radio

~ jen

Nation Broadcasting, the fast-growing radio and media group, has made a significant strategic investment in Podcast Radio, becoming the company’s lead investor in its latest fundraise.

The deal sees Nation taking a 10% interest in Podcast Radio, which launched two years ago and uses the trust people have in radio to help them sample and choose podcasts.

The station currently broadcasts on DAB+ in London, Surry, Manchester and Birmingham as well as via smart speakers, its own app and website.

In its current investment round – valuing the company at £2.9 million – Podcast Radio’s management are preparing to grow the station internationally and strengthen its on-air offering.

Nation Broadcasting is one of the UK’s fastest growing media companies with a portfolio of national, regional and local commercial radio stations, digital marketing services and investments in DAB transmission across the UK and Channel Islands. The group has a combined weekly audience of nearly 5 million listening hours according to RAJAR.

Jason Bryant, Founder and Executive Chairman of Nation Broadcasting, said: “We’ve been impressed by the growth of Podcast Radio and see the huge potential of their expansion plans into North America and Australia.

“We see significant value growth in the company as it adds bespoke brand extensions and further streams in areas such as sports, business and health.”

Gerry Edwards, Founder and CEO of Podcast Radio, said: “We warmly welcome Nation Broadcasting as a strategic partner in our business. We believe they can add true value to what we already do and will help us grow and expand internationally.”

Podcast Radio director Paul Chantler added: “We have some bold and exciting new ideas for the way podcast content is presented radio which we want to implement later this year. Jason and his team at Nation will help us do this.”

Podcast Radio is monetized by selling traditional on-air advertising and sponsorship; inserting commercials into its online audio stream; partnering with international content makers; and making original podcasts and bespoke audio content.

The company raised initial capital from angel investors and an equity fundraising campaign last year. Other investors include US production company Evergreen, entrepreneur Simon Squibb and former BBC Radio 1 DJ and businessman Bruno Brookes.

The latest fundraising round has a target of £500,000 and, in addition to the Nation investment, other private individuals have already committed a further £100,000 into the company.

Podcast Radio Expands to Britain’s Second Largest City

~ jen

Podcast Radio, the UK’s 24/7 station that plays and talks about podcasts, is now on the air in Birmingham, Britain’s second largest city.

As well as Birmingham, Podcast Radio is also heard in London, Surrey, Manchester and Glasgow.

Podcast Radio CEO Gerry Edwards says: “We’ve wanted to expand to Birmingham for some time now. We’ve been waiting for space on the digital transmitter multiplex there and as soon as the opportunity arose to further expansion, we grabbed it.”

Podcast Radio launched just over a year ago and is an independent platform for discovering and promoting podcasts through digital broadcasting and an online radio-like experience. It features sample episodes of podcasts from all over the world introduced by ‘podjocks’ who also interview content creators.

Gerry says: “Our mission is to help people discover and choose podcasts from the millions available using that most trustworthy of media – radio. We had an incredible first year and we have plans to grow even more both in the UK and internationally in the next 12 months.”

Podcast Radio – which earlier this month announced an equity investment and airtime sales agreement from US podcasting company Evergreen, based on Ohio – has also started promoting its own original podcasts which it airs and makes available on major podcasting platforms.

Evergreen Podcasts Invests in Podcast Radio

~ jen

Evergreen Podcasts has announced an investment in Podcast Radio a UK-based independent platform for discovering and promoting podcasts through digital broadcasting and a radio-like experience. The platform features sample episodes and podcasts from all over the world introduced by “podjocks” who also interview content creators. In late 2020, Podcast Radio announced its own podcast production network which will be powered by Evergreen Podcasts.

This is the third investment announcement for Evergreen Podcasts which has completed investments into the podcast Five Minute News and Ars Longa, a medical and wellness podcast network. The deal includes two investments by Evergreen into Podcast Radio, alignment on the sales and marketing strategies of the businesses and an agreement to host, distribute and potentially produce new podcasts for both the U.S. and U.K. markets.

Gerard Edwards, Founder of Podcast Radio said, “Podcast Radio has experienced great success in our first year, as we continually help listeners discover new podcasts. We were naturally drawn to Evergreen as we are dedicated to showcasing incredible podcast content on our platform. We look forward to furthering our fantastic partnership.”

“Evergreen was immediately captivated by the Podcast Radio concept,” noted Michael DeAloia, Chief Executive Officer of Evergreen Podcasts. “And when we discovered in our discussions of Podcast Radio’s desire to launch its own podcast network it cemented our desire to invest in the podcast startup.”