AudioUK, the industry body for radio and podcasting professionals, is calling for the government to formally recognise podcasting and audio as one of the UK’s creative industries.
The recently published Creative Industries Sector Plan makes little mention of podcasting and audio in general, with no access to tailored public funding - unlike the Film, TV and games industries. Audio is also largely excluded from the Creative Industries Council which advises on policy decisions concerning the creative sector.
This is despite the growing significance of the British podcast industry on the UK’s cultural capital and the increasing time it’s spending in the ears and imaginations of the public. The number of people listening to podcasts in the UK has more than doubled over the last 5 years, and is set to continue to grow.
It’s one of the fastest growing creative industries in the world and provides the UK with a key global export. This morning, shows from British production companies including Message Heard, the BBC, HistoryExtra, Goalhanger, Tortoise, Keep It Light, and History Hit can be found plastering the Apple Podcasts US storefront.
AudioUK are calling for the government to address this by formally recognising podcasting and audio as part of the Creative Industries, reserving a seat for the sector at the Creative Industries Council, introducing targeted financial support for audio among other steps.
The full open letter can be read here.
