Some rather interesting podcasting news. Elis James and John Robins, one of the BBC’s most popular series, is launching a Patreon.
Of course, Patreon isn’t the news part. Many podcasts are launching a Patreon, including Kermode and Mayo’s Take. The interesting thing is that this is, of course, coming from the BBC. As Podnews reported earlier this week, it “comes after the recent announcement of the show’s involvement with the BBC Audio Release Policy, which allows independent producers to commercialise titles that are no longer licence- fee-funded BBC content.”
So, as I understand it, as the show is now acquired by the BBC rather than made by the BBC directly, they can do what they want commercially beyond broadcasting the show itself, which continues on 5 Live. It makes you wonder whether such a loosening of restrictions will mean other podcasts will follow, and whether some BBC listeners and viewers will be confused if they see this as paying for a show twice.
Elis and John will now have a dedicated YouTube channel with visualised episodes available for the first time, along with behind-the-scenes details.
