This year’s Radio Academy Festival will bring together leading voices in podcasting, audio and broadcasting under the theme World of Sound.
Taking place on Wednesday 17 September at the Royal College of Physicians in Regent’s Park, London, the programme is designed to explore the creative, commercial and technological shifts shaping today’s audio landscape.
Sessions will highlight how podcasts, radio and emerging formats intersect, with a focus on practical insights for those navigating the fast-changing industry.
Hosting will be shared between BBC Radio 1’s Jack Saunders, Hits Radio’s Stephanie Hirst, Absolute Radio’s Dan Noble, Magic Radio’s Neev Spencer and Lady Unchained from the Prison Radio Association. Together they will introduce a day that blends global talent, pioneering technology and immersive sound experiences.
Podcasters and audio creators feature heavily in this year’s line-up. Louis Theroux will appear alongside Phil Maguire OBE of the Prison Radio Association, while Julia Hobsbawm OBE will share lessons on building networks in an evolving creative economy.
Podcast Discovery’s Josh Divney will showcase new ideas from shows worldwide, and international consultant Valerie Geller will offer proven techniques for making audio compelling across any platform.
A strong podcasting thread continues with Ros Atkins, Stripped Media’s Kobi Omenaka, Audio Always’ Paul Fernley, Patreon’s Emi Geddes and Keyari Page, Podcaster in Residence at St George’s University of London.
Pulama Kaufman and Paul Fernley from Audio Always will reveal how they transformed a story from overseas into a breakthrough podcast, and Times Radio’s Hugo Rifkind will join Goalhanger to discuss creating chart-topping content at scale.
Core topics across the day include podcast visualisation, the role of human versus algorithmic curation, building sustainable revenues for creators, and staying distinctive in an age of artificial intelligence. Creatives will also hear how automation and robotics are reshaping opportunities in audio production and storytelling.
Alongside headline talks, the Festival introduces new experiences such as acoustic art installations in the Dolby Library, a preview of Sonic Sunset exploring climate change through immersive sound, and sessions on sonic branding and the expanding possibilities of Dolby Atmos.
Delegates can also take part in one-to-one conversations with senior leaders from organisations including Acast, Audible, Audioboom, Spotify, Podimo and many others.
The Festival will honour contributors across audio, remember industry colleagues who have been lost, and announce the latest Radio Academy Fellows. The day concludes with an after-party hosted by PPL and PRS for Music.
Visit The Radio Academy’s website and social channels for more details.
