I understand the BBC is looking at upping significantly the number of niche podcasts built around the interests of their presenters such as the Louise Minchin Triathlon one and the Sport LGBTQ offering. They’re reportedly receiving more requests than expected and are keen to exploit staff involvement beyond their usual spheres. We’ll see.
They’re reportedly receiving more requests than expected and are keen to exploit staff involvement beyond their usual spheres.
Requests from staff to do them or listeners for more podcasts?
Either way though it can only be a good thing. I'd imagine that, beyond compliance/licensing, they are relatively cheap to produce.
I'm a particular fan of Brexitcast - it started out quite niche but has settled into a great format - bringing brexit knowledge together with an accessibility that I don't think I've seen from many other outlets. This is probably evidenced in the win at the Podcast awards in the last few weeks. I hope that it continues as a regular political podcast after brexit over (assuming it ever does), and more pop up in the same mould.
P.S. Wish they'd hurry up with Chromecast support in BBC Sounds - getting ridiculous now!
They’re reportedly receiving more requests than expected and are keen to exploit staff involvement beyond their usual spheres.
Requests from staff to do them or listeners for more podcasts?
Requests from listeners for actual downloads of this type of podcast, not requests requesting more as yet unmade content. i.e. actual consumption of those already available.
I'm sure it was mentioned on here previously that the BBC News bulletin that goes out on smart speakers is now so dumbed down that it's unlistenable. First name only duos getting down with the kids. One bulletin was so lacking in news that I had to wait for the Sky bulletin to play afterwards to find out anything.
On Amazon Echo, I can at least change the order of the bulletins, so that Sky News plays first, but on Google Home I have to hear the BBC bulletin before the Sky one goes out.
I'm sure it was mentioned on here previously that the BBC News bulletin that goes out on smart speakers is now so dumbed down that it's unlistenable. First name only duos getting down with the kids. One bulletin was so lacking in news that I had to wait for the Sky bulletin to play afterwards to find out anything.
On Amazon Echo, I can at least change the order of the bulletins, so that Sky News plays first, but on Google Home I have to hear the BBC bulletin before the Sky one goes out.
It always used to be a Radio 2 or Radio 5 Live bulletin - this new format doesn't seem to be updated as often and is like a lighter version of a Radio 1 bulletin.
You can change the order of the news sources on Google Home, though it took a few minutes for the order to come into force for me.
I've had Amazon Echo Dot v1s since they launched and the BBC World Service 'BBC Minute' has been the default BBC News audio bulletin as my Flash Briefing since I first got them. It's a radio version of BBC Three's 60 Seconds in many ways.
Ouch. Just listened to a bulletin for the first time in a while. Yeah, that’s really not good. I think Newsbeat works better than that, it comes across quite patronising. Fair enough if you want a separate yoof app but not at the expense of those who want R2/5live style bulletins. Wonder which department is producing it? I’ve made Sky my default now.
And I see the Alexa still can’t detect two different voices to allow for two different Spotify accounts (for example) to be played.
Ouch. Just listened to a bulletin for the first time in a while. Yeah, that’s really not good. I think Newsbeat works better than that, it comes across quite patronising. Fair enough if you want a separate yoof app but not at the expense of those who want R2/5live style bulletins. Wonder which department is producing it? I’ve made Sky my default now.
BBC Sounds is to act as an aggregator for Glastonbury coverage, with a virtual ‘radio’ station BBC Glastonbury hosting streams from all networks for the duration of the festival. An interesting but valuable resource.
Seems the BBC might next year launch spinoff stations, on BBC Sounds only, there is of course a precedent for this with CBeebies Radio, but launching spinoffs of Radios 1, 1xtra, 2 and 3 with the license fee furore still bubbling will be controversial to say the least. The Commercial sector will huff and puff.
It's an interesting one to monitor into 2020. It also answers why there appears to be a move to launch BBC Sounds on Connected Devices early next year too.
