We grabbed a link from Podnews and saw some PR about the BBC refocusing on podcast development. There are two pieces to this:

The British public broadcaster has rebranded its production division, formerly BBC Radio & Music Production, which relaunched today as BBC Audio. This is part of a widespread de-platforming of radio and broader reconceptualization as audio.

A new content development unit has opened in Briston, focused on podcasts.

“The Creative Development Unit (CDU), based in Bristol, will turbocharge the production division’s podcast ambitions,” the BBC states. “The CDU team will draw upon the creative and production expertise across BBC Audio’s four production bases to develop landmark podcasts as well as partnerships and co-produced audio projects for the BBC. They will also work with teams and individuals – new to podcasting – on pitching and development.”

Four people staff the new unit, headed by Clare McGinn, previously Head of Production for BBC Radio 4 in Bristol. McGinn is a career BBC’er, having been with the organization in one way or another since 1997. She says, “This is an exciting time for all of us in audio production. Everyday new audiences are discovering the joy of podcasts and their appetite for new voices and formats is growing. Through our stories, music, journalism and entertainment BBC Audio teams across the country are perfectly placed to meet that demand. It feels like the right time for us to find new ways of working and new partners to deliver great BBC podcasts to listeners.”