Sony Podcast Award

Next year's Sony Radio Awards will include The Internet Programme Award, which has been created specifically for streamed, Podcast and download programmes. UK Podcasters Association has been pushing for recognition, and a category to include podcasting.

"We now have a more level playing field," said UKPA Chairman Dean Whitbread. "Thanks go to Trevor Dann, head of the Radio Academy, who had the far-sightedness to organise a meeting with us on his first day in the job, and who persuaded me to join his organisation. It remains to be seen whether the award will go to one of the usual high-profile media suspects, or whether the judges will look at the great range of independently produced content that's out there."

UK Recording Industry Loses Copyright Term Extension Battle

"The British record industry has lost the fight to extend copyrights on sound recordings from 50 years to 95 years. Artists and record labels have been lobbying the government in an effort to bring copyright protection into line with United States copyright law.

In December 2005, the Chancellor of the Exchequer asked Andrew Gowers to lead an Independent Review to examine the UK’s intellectual property framework. Today, the Telegraph reports the Gowers Review has found little evidence to support record companies claims they will be deprived of profits that otherwise could be used to reinvest in new acts. The review will recommend against an extension of copyright terms but the final decision rests with the government. Music industry insiders are calling it a blow to the record industry that will detrimentally impact the income of artists in their old age. Recordings out of copyright will enter the public domain and be available for anyone to use or exploit for non-commercial and commercial purposes." - Dave's Imaginary Sound Space.

BPI
BBC
Open Rights Group: Release The Music

US Research Shows Podcast Usage Up

Research shows that 12% of the 207,161,706 estimated internet users in the US now downloads podcasts, reports The Pew Internet and American Life Project. However, whilst the variety of podcasts has proliferated, only 1% download a podcast on a daily basis - unchanged since February.

"15 per cent of online men say they have downloaded a podcast compared to just 8 per cent of online women, the report reveals. In addition, those who have used the internet for six or more years are twice as likely as those who have been online three years or less to have downloaded a podcast (13 per cent vs. 6 per cent)."

Ofcom End iTrip Ban

"Certain FM transmitters, which can be tuned to spare frequencies, will be legal in the UK from 8 December. Ofcom (national regulator) will also remove the need for a licence to use Citizens' Band radio. The devices fell foul of the Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1949, which forbids the use of radio equipment without a licence or an exemption. But strong consumer demand for the devices led Ofcom to rethink the legislation." (BBC)

UK Podcasters Prepare For PodcastCon

From the length and breadth of the UK - and several other places besides - UK Podcasters prepare to assemble for November 18th's PodcastCon, the UK eqivalent of the Podcast Expo, held this year in Shoreditch, London.

Sponsored by Cheeze Media, the adventurous and podcaster-friendly digital agency headed by Jamie Riddell (accent on the second syllable, please) the conference promises something for all types of podcaster, with an extensive programme, and live music sets from well-known "podsafe" artists.

Panellists include: US podcaster C.C. Chapman, Nicole Simon from Cruel To Be Kind, Tom Hall from Lonely Planet, Guillaume du Gardier from Edelman, Heather Gorringe from Wiggly Wigglers, Suw Charman from Open Rights Group, Chris Vallance from BBC,
Neil McIntosh from The Guardian, John Buckman from Magnatune, famed UK podcasters Martin Devaughan, Mark Hunter, John Buckley, and MCing the whole event is "Podcast" Paul Nicholls (UK Podcasters Association).

Podcast User Magazine Hits 100,000 Downloads

Free online publication Podcast User Magazine, currently available only as a PDF, has reached 100,000 downloads, reports co-founder "Podcast" Paul Nicholls.

Issue #10 is online today, inlcuding a report from Podcast Expo and a preview of PodcastCon UK.