And hello from the Alps, where I’m sending the newsletter this week ⛷️⛷️⛷️
Some new developments in podcasting to let you know about. Firstly,
The Sports Agents is launching from Global. This spin-off will undoubtedly have the same feel and immediacy as its heavyweight and successful sibling, and will likely be essential in a busy year with Olympics, Paralympics and Euros on the agenda. The podcast will also be presented by two heavyweights from the world of sports presenting and commentary: Gabby Logan and Mark Chapman. Episodes will be twice a week and will launch later in the Spring.
Meanwhile, an already established podcast is having a change in its distribution strategy as of this week. The British Podcast Award winning
Elis James and John Robins will now be out every Tuesday, followed by a second release on a Friday, a shortened version of which will be broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live. I guess this means for them that they can have the reach of radio with the intimacy of podcasting. Plus it will also mean that breaking news won’t derail the show at a moment’s notice.
And speaking of rebirths, there’s a new BBC Radio 4 podcast out this week looking at the very first moments of life, from fertilisation to birth, called
Child. It is presented by India Rakusen, who was behind the British Podcast Award winning
28ish Days Later. She’s also the executive producer of the hugely successful
Can I Tell You A Secret?, which was made with The Guardian’s Sirin Kale. Episodes of this new series are only 15 minutes each.
And
Can I Tell You A Secret? has also been remade into a
Netflix docuseries. The series on cyberstalking is a two-parter and will be out on the 21st February.