We have loved bringing in brilliant independently produced new podcasts into Sounds, Its been a healthy move for both audiences and the industry.
Overview
BBC Sounds brings together radio, music, and podcasts into a single digital destination available via app, web, smart speaker, and in-car. On-demand audio and podcasts for BBC Sounds come from commissioning editors across the BBC’s radio networks, nations, and World Service. They work closely with the BBC Sounds team to deliver the editorial vision and build an industry-leading slate and listener experience.
More and more people are listening to BBC Sounds, and especially to podcasts. In 2023 (Jan to Nov) there were over 2 billion plays of radio, music and podcasts on BBC Sounds, with a 34% increase to podcasts year on year. On-demand music listening also continues to grow with record time spent in 2023 and a total of 47.6 million plays for music mixes on BBC Sounds.
In addition, there are millions of downloads of BBC podcasts on third party platforms each month. Podcasting enables us to bring trusted journalism, storytelling, entertainment, drama, and other brilliant speech audio to wider and underserved audiences in new, creative ways. Our podcasts are made by world-class producers in and outside the BBC and are critically acclaimed.
We want to work with a wide range of suppliers and podcast-makers to commission brilliant podcasts and on-demand music shows that showcase existing and emerging UK talent and do more to serve all our audiences - in the UK and around the world.
Jonathan Wall is the Director of Sounds and leads on the digital transformation of the BBC’s audio business working closely with directors, controllers and commissioners across the BBC. Jonathan Kanagasooriam is the Head of Content for BBC Sounds and he works with the 3 radio directors to set an OD demand speech and music strategy for the BBC in the UK, and with colleagues from BBC Studios to set a global podcast strategy.
Podcast commissioning
The commissioning teams at Radio 4 and Radio 3 are interested in podcasts with fresh approaches to investigating, entertaining, informing and educating. Read more about each of the commissioners or any open podcast opportunities here.
The commissioning team at Radio 5 Live is looking for ideas rooted in the station’s editorial offer of news, sport and entertainment. Commissioners work closely with BBC Sport and BBC News, and many independent production companies. Podcasts usually fall under three categories: Real-life storytelling, Sports and Sports entertainment and Topical entertainment. Read more about commissioners here and open podcast briefs here.
The World Service team looks for propulsive, ‘unputdownable’ factual multi-episode storytelling. The story could be important original journalism, true crime, a deep dive or the retelling of an historic event or something completely different. You can read more on our BBC World Service commissioning page.
You’ll find details about all the latest opportunities on each of the radio network websites, and commissioning contact details below.
The BBC’s Nations and Regions teams also play a huge part in ensuring that our offer serves audiences across the UK. For regional podcast pitches, please contact the relevant leads:
- BBC English Regions: Kathryn Morrison, Executive Producer
- BBC Northern Ireland: Paul McClean, Executive Editor
- BBC Scotland: Gareth Hydes, Commissioning Editor
- BBC Wales: Bridget Curnow, Senior Content Producer
Music Commissioning
Commissioning editors across BBC Music and its networks are looking to develop and commission on-demand music series and new formats aimed at younger, music-loving audiences. This includes major artist formats for young audiences, landmark music moments across the BBC - from returning artists to anniversaries, festivals to Eurovision.
If you’re not sure if your idea is a music podcast, on-demand music show or something in between please contact the BBC Music commissioners. Read more about the open process here.
BBC Sounds Audio Lab
BBC Sounds Audio Lab is an ‘accelerator’ programme designed to amplify the UK’s best new podcasters and the next-generation audio creatives. Successful applicants will have some audio production or narrative storytelling experience and be looking to pitch a great idea, unheard story or fresh perspective that needs to be heard.
Audio Lab is an ‘accelerator’ programme designed to amplify early career podcasters and audio creatives - across the UK. Successful applicants are embedded in BBC and independent production teams which support and lead them to produce a distinctive podcast series for BBC Sounds. For more information, you can visit the Audio Lab website
Acquisitions
We publish a growing number of independently-produced podcasts on BBC Sounds – non-exclusively and ad-free with payment based on volume of listening. Some of our titles include No Such Thing As A Fish, Real Dictators, Shedunnit and Help I Sexted My Boss.
We now have a dedicated team to acquire and publish titles on BBC Sounds and grow their audience on the platform. For pitches and further details, please contact the team at [email protected]
BBC Sounds Commissioners
Khaliq Meer, Commissioning Executive for BBC Sounds Audio Lab
In 2021, Khaliq launched BBC Sounds Audio Lab to help emerging audio creators and early-in-career podcasters accelerate their on-demand audio and digital know how. The program offers training and experiences, often embedded with expert BBC teams and independent production companies - across the UK – turning exciting ideas into compelling titles and episodic series. A number of former alumni have gone on to win new roles and opportunities right across the sector whilst others have enjoyed critical acclaim and recognition from the British Podcast Awards, UK ARIA’s and Radio Production Awards. Audio Lab tends to open for applications between January-March and each programme runs for 6-8 months. Anyone interested should follow BBC Sounds social channels, sign up to BBC Careers and explore our website.
BBC Sounds Contacts
• Jonathan Wall Director of BBC Sounds
• Jonathan Kanagasooriam Head of Content, BBC Sounds
• Khaliq Meer Commissioning Executive, Audio Lab
• Podcast Acquisitions: [email protected]
