Details of a new event, The Podcast Show, have been announced today by AV Media & Events, a joint venture between SME London and GetOnMedia.
The festival is planned to take place at The Business Design Centre London on 26 & 27 May 2021.
The Podcast Show’s aim is to deliver the biggest festival for the business of podcasting in Europe and will welcome the entire podcasting community from around the globe.
Over the two days of the event there will be a series of industry panels with over 250 speakers, workshops, masterclasses, live podcast matinees, major industry keynotes, international networking, ‘In Conversation With’ discussions and exhibitor/partner activations.
There are expected to be 6,000 attendees across two days including industry professionals, business leaders, podcast fans and the next generation of the podcasting community.
Spotify will be an official Lead Partner of The Podcast Show 2021, exclusively sponsoring the headline venue at The Business Design Centre London.
With the entire podcasting community from around the world gathering under one roof, The Podcast Show will also present an evening ‘festival fringe’ style programmes hosted at venues around Islington, with major live podcast shows from well-known global talent. More information and a full schedule will be announced soon.
Event Director of The Podcast Show and former Head of Events for BBC & Amazon, Jason Carter, who has been responsible for the creation and delivery of events such as Radio 1’s Big Weekend and 6Music Festival, through to the Proms in Hyde Park, says: “We are hugely excited to announce the inaugural Podcast Show in London next May.
“Given the incredible industry response to the event so far, it is clear that the sector has been eagerly awaiting an event of this scale to accompany the rapid global growth of podcasting. TPS21 is already shaping up to be the largest gathering of the Podcast community of its kind outside of North America, and we look forward to welcoming the industry’s biggest players under one roof.
“We are also delighted to have Spotify as a lead partner and BBC Sounds, Acast, Audioboom and Somethin’ Else as our first official partners, with many more UK and global partners to be announced in the coming weeks”.
James Cator, Head of Studios, Spotify UK and Ireland says, “As the world’s leading audio platform, we’re committed to connecting creators with fans across the UK and Ireland.
“When cultural events happen – the very things that bring people together – they are reflected in what we listen to on Spotify, and nowhere is that more true than with podcasts.
“Come and speak to us at The Podcast Show to find out more about how we’re transforming the world of audio, bringing the most original, creative and diverse podcasts to listeners everywhere and creating unmissable audio experiences.”
Jonathan Wall, Controller, BBC Sounds says: “More and more people in the UK are listening to podcasts which makes it an exciting time for those who are passionate about storytelling and the medium.
“Being part of an event like The Podcast Show is one way we want to keep supporting and championing the growing UK podcast sector, as well as help find and develop new ideas and voices on and off mic to continually up the creative ambition for podcasts.”
Georgie Holt, Managing Director UK+, Acast says: “Podcasts are taking centre stage around the world, and The Podcast Show London is an important platform to bring the UK podcasting community together.
“As the industry leader, Acast is committed to supporting and advancing the whole industry — and to finding and nurturing the best, most diverse talent the UK has to offer — so we leapt at the chance to bring our expertise to the event’s programme of keynotes, panels and masterclasses. We can’t wait to be involved at next year’s show.”
Stuart Last, CEO, Audioboom says: “We are thrilled to be partnering with The Podcast Show. Collaborating with such a great organization from the beginning is very exciting for Audioboom. This partnership will help to expand our global footprint and we look forward to seeing what the future holds.”
Steve Ackerman, Chief Content Officer & Vice Chairman, Somethin’ Else says: “Podcasting in the UK is moving at an incredible pace and we’re thrilled to be part of The Podcast Show, an event that offers to become a central part of the podcast industry.”
In addition to the focus on the day to day business of podcasting, The Podcast Show will also appeal to the next generation of podcast creators by delivering extensive workshops and sessions, entertaining and engaging panels – a fully inclusive show for future podcasters.
Pledging to support the Equality in Audio Pact, The Podcast Show encourages and nurtures continued opportunities, including supporting gender balance, minority groups including LGBTQIA+ and ethnic diversity among panellists, speakers and those in attendance. For more information about the act, visit equalityinaudiopact.co.uk.
Tickets for The Podcast Show will be on sale from October 2020 at thepodcastshowlondon.com
