Visual podcasting is gaining traction with more producers and broadcasters turning to video formats to engage audiences and expand their reach beyond traditional television.
This shift is being highlighted at a forthcoming event hosted by the Royal Television Society North West in partnership with Campfield Manchester, where leading podcast producers and hosts from the region will discuss their experiences and the future of visual podcasting.
The panel, chaired by BBC Radio 1’s Natalie O’Leary, will feature contributors from shows such as Help I Sexted My Boss, Bad People, Nip Tuck, On The Sofa with Colson, Jack & Ben, and For The Love of Rugby.
Attendees will hear first-hand how these creators launched their visual podcasts, the challenges they have faced, and their perspectives on where the medium is heading.
The event is designed for broadcasters, producers, content creators, and students interested in the fastest growing area of the region’s media industry.
It takes place at Campfield Studios, Manchester, on Thursday 30 July, with doors opening for networking at 6pm and the panel beginning at 7pm.
Panelists include Stuart Morgan from Audio Always, Mike Carr from Crowd Network, actors Jack P Shepherd and Colson Smith, presenter Amber Haque, and podcast host Lauren Adamson. Each brings a unique perspective from their work on a range of visual and audio projects.
This event also marks a significant change for the Royal Television Society North West’s annual awards.
For the first time, the criteria for the Best Digital Content Award have been updated to allow visual podcasts produced by North West companies to enter.
Fabian Bohan-Taghian, a development executive and producer who also sits on the committee for the RTS NW, explained the reasoning: “Like everyone else I’ve noticed how popular visual podcasts have become in the region and how the lines between traditional TV and visual podcasts are becoming increasingly blurred.
“I proposed that we change the criteria for one of our categories to allow visual podcasts to enter and the rest of the committee agreed with me.”
Fabian added: “I’m producing this event to try and bring the wider North West freelance creative community together for a night of insight and networking.”
The Royal Television Society North West continues its commitment to widening participation in the media industry, reflecting the evolving landscape of podcasting and digital content in the region.
Tickets for the event are on sale now, with a number of discretionary free tickets set aside specifically for freelancers who’ve been out of work for some time.
