Awards season highlights growing podcast industry divide
Independent podcasters overshadowed as shortlist is revealed
The British Podcast Awards shortlist for this year has been revealed and unsurprisingly it showcases an impressive array of big budget and professionally produced shows. Undoubtedly many of these shows deserve recognition, but sadly their prominence is overshadowing the remarkable work of independent podcast creators.
It’s the latest in a run of events that have left indies feeling shut out. For the second year in a row many came away from this year’s Podcast Show feeling it didn’t champion the independent creator. Then many of the events enjoyed by grassroots creators lost funding from big business and couldn’t go ahead. With the awards now spotlighting established networks, broadcasters and creators, it feels like the gap between big business and independent podcasters is continuing to grow.
It’s not that the big-name shortlisted shows don’t deserve recognition. Rather that it is unfair to judge them in the same breath as shows created by individuals on a shoe-string budget, with little to no visibility, recording tirelessly in the quietest space they can find week in, week out. Add to that the high-ticket cost of the awards night itself, and it seems organisers are about as far removed from the independent creator as it’s possible to be.
Fundamental change is needed for podcasting to return to a more unified position. The current money-spinning events and awards might be rolling in the cash for organisers but at what cost to the industry at large?
✂️ Cut The Tape
More on this, including my thoughts around the extortionate cost of award night tickets, can be read here.
UPDATE 29/07: Following feedback from many in the industry, British Podcast Award organisers Haymarket have introduced a tiered ticketing system for those shortlisted.
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