UK’s Largest National Radio Company Joins UK Podcasters Association

Commercial radio giant, GCap Media, operators of radio stations such as Capital Radio, Xfm and Classic FM has joined UK Podcasters Association, in a move that spearheads the radio industry’s integration with digital and online media. GCap is the first radio/media company to join the UKPA, which has been attracting broadcast professionals since it started in April 2006.

The move by GCap Media, who produce more podcasts than any other media company in the UK, is recognition of the role podcasts are playing in the modern media landscape.

Speaking about GCap Media joining the UKPA, Chairman Dean Whitbread said:

"This is a major endorsement of the UKPA's work and status as the leading body to establish podcasters' rights. The UKPA represents its members’ interests to regulators and would-be legislators. We've done a lot of work to establish podcasting as a medium in itself and we are really pleased to welcome GCap as a prominent member from the radio industry. It shows that they recognise both the value of the Association and the importance of podcasting. This can only be good for all."

John Hirst, Head of GCap’s podcasting company, Creation, said:

“Over the past three years we have seen millions of consumers subscribing and downloading compelling podcasts from our radio stations and our customers’ websites. We create podcasts for our radio brands, our commercial clients and other third party customers, such as The Sun. It’s now part of our core business and content offering to consumers and commercial customers alike. We are delighted to join the UKPA as it’s a neutral body set-up to support all podcasters.”

Podcast Figures Rise With Digital Radio

BBC News reports extensively on the growing numbers of people using digital and online sources to access their radio output, with the number of podcast listeners up from 1.9m to 2.7m.

Rajar the industry analysts say that radio listenership as a whole is up, with 91% of the UK population listening. Mobile usage is also up by 27% since the end of 2006. Commercial radio has its highest listening figures for four years with a regular audience of 32m, and the BBC's digital-only radio networks, including 6 Music and 1Xtra, now have a combined listenership of 3m people.

4Digital Group Wins UK Digital Radio Licence

Channel 4 have won their bid to broadcast 10 new national digital radio stations, the media regulator Ofcom has announced. A large amount of their output is destined for podcast. The new service will provide podcasts from at least nine providers, expected to include the Financial Times newspaper, Sky News, publisher EMAP, Virgin Radio, Walt Disney and the Carphone Warehouse, and include services specifically for mobile phones.

This is a major success for the terrestrial UK broadcaster which had staked a lot on winning the bid and moving into radio. Like the BBC, Channel 4 has a core public service remit, although unlike the BBC their revenue is derived from sponsorship and advertising.