News

• Platform Media launches Do Not Disturb in collaboration with Audible

  Audible has announced the upcoming release of Do Not Disturb. Produced by Platform Media, the show is a bold, unfiltered new audio comedy drama from actor and writer Sherise Blackman, available exclusively on Audible from 21^st August.

  

  Featuring a standout cast of established stars and exciting new voices, Do Not Disturb marks the audio drama acting debut of comedian Judi Love, who stars alongside Saffron Coomber (Three Little Birds), and Sherise Blackman as Sade, Saffron, and Raquel – three bold, Black, thirty-somethings from South London – all on a quest for good sex.

  Following an impressive line of screen credits, including the ratings hits Line of Duty and Bridgerton, Do Not Disturb marks Blackman’s audio debut, bringing her signature wit and sharp observation to this Audible Original. Do Not Disturb dives headfirst into the chaos, comedy, and emotional messiness of modern relationships that will have you laughing, crying and cringing in equal measure.

  Brought to life with an impressive supporting cast, including Richard Blackwood, Zeze Millz, David Ajala, Shiloh Coke, and Martins Imhangbe, Do Not Disturb showcases a tour de force of Black British acting talent.

  Sherise Blackman writer and star of Do Not Disturb shared: “I created Do Not Disturb to put female desire front and centre – then cast myself in the eye of the storm. It’s bold, messy, and deliciously unfiltered. This is what happens when the group chat gets a mic… and I get the last word.”

  Do Not Disturb, an Audible Original, will be exclusively available from 21st August 2025 at www.audible.co.uk. Membership may be required.

• The Good, The Scaz & The Rugby returns bigger and bolder than ever

  Fresh off the Lionesses’ historic Euros victory and with eyes firmly fixed on the Red Roses’ home Rugby World Cup, the trio are not just returning for a sixth series – they’re expanding their presence in the world of sports media.

  This includes a newly-launched YouTube channel, double the amount of weekly shows during the tournament, exclusive merchandise and even live events, promising fans more in-depth access and engagement than ever before.

  The show is hosted by best friends and World Cup-winning stars Emily (Scaz) and Natasha (Mo), alongside their good friend, the South African broadcaster Elma.

  

  The premiere episode of the new series sees the trio reunited after their summer break ahead of the Rugby World Cup.

  Folding Pocket, a Platform Media label, will release a new show every Thursday for the next ten weeks, culminating in a post-World Cup final review show at the end of September.

  Emily, who has just been selected for her fifth Rugby World Cup, the first English person to achieve this, said: “After eight weeks of pre-season with England, getting to sit down and debrief on all the action with Mo and Elma is the dream.

  “Over five series we’ve interviewed some of the biggest names in the game and won Best Rugby Podcast at the sports podcast awards … and this next series will be even bigger.

  “We’re launching our own YouTube Channel, merchandise line and will be covering the biggest event in world rugby on home soil on our show and maybe in a few live shows, too.”

  The podcast’s versatility is unmatched. Guests have ranged from Springbok captain Siya Kolisi to Olympian Laura Kenny, showcasing an incredibly diverse line-up.

  Scaz and Mo have been named in the Red Roses squad for this summer’s Rugby World Cup in England.

  As the world’s top-ranked team, the Red Roses are strong favourites to win the tournament on home soil, which kicks off on August 22 and concludes in late September. The event is a landmark moment for women’s rugby and sport in the UK, having already sold a record-breaking 300,000 tickets.

  Following their recent Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam, Scaz and Mo will provide an exclusive look ahead to the World Cup, with the players focused on leading England to the final.

  Mo also comes off the back of three consecutive Premiership Women’s Rugby league titles in a row, having missed out on selection for the last Rugby World Cup.

  They discuss the emotion of being selected for another global showpiece tournament, the goosebumps they get hearing the national anthem and look ahead to the pool stages.

  The Good, The Scaz & The Rugby is ahead of the curve in women’s sport podcasting, having launched back in 2020 and now heading into their sixth season at a time when sports podcasts are more popular than ever for their ability to turn lay fans into engaged fans, to build communities around events and live shows and make a societal impact.

  In addition to regular Thursday releases, the podcast will feature a Monday morning reaction show after each World Cup round, hosted by Elma and trusted rugby commentator & presenter, Nick Heath.

  Elma will also be heading into Red Roses’ camp to interview some of the Red Roses throughout the tournament. These interviews will be available on GSR’s social channels and YouTube.

   

• Listen’s First TV Credit

  The Traitors: Uncloaked is set to be a first of it’s kind companion podcast, built for the fans while pushing the format forward. Over the last few months, shrouded in secrecy, we’ve been carefully crafting a mammoth fully visualised show, to be viewed prime time, featuring top talent and a load of exclusive extras.

  We landed Traitors-lover and podcast royalty, Ed Gamble to host, bringing all the cliffhanger-reactions and detective-analysis to life. Ed is alongside celebrity guests and past players to dissect the episode in all it’s detail, and share their theories so far.

  Of course, we had to add the moment any Traitors fan needs; the exclusive interview with the latest banished and murdered players, including the exact moment they find out who the Traitors actually are.

  Uncloaked is a hugely ambitious project with our biggest production team to date – and the response has been fantastic. We’re thrilled to be leading the charge on what a podcast can be and how it can make even the most beloved shows greater.

  So, here it is in all it’s glory, our first TV credit! 👇

  

  In the first episode of Uncloaked, Ed Gamble chats all the goings on in the Castle with journalist, Stacey Dooley and series 1 player, Tom Elderfield. Plus, there’s some major, exclusive reveals from the latest banished and murdered players that you won’t want to miss.

  

  You can watch live on BBC Two, and catch up on iPlayer here or Sounds here.

  Finally, what actually is a visualised podcast?

  

• Listen Hires Ex-Diary of a CEO’s Emma Williams as Director of Marketing and Partnerships

  London, 3rd October — Leading podcast production company, Listen is proud to announce the appointment of Emma Williams as Director of Marketing and Partnerships, a newly formed role that will see her lead the company’s commercial and growth strategy across their award-winning visualised slate, expanding originals and Labs, its marketing and consultancy division.

  Emma brings 15 years of PR and media expertise, including a standout three-year stint at The Diary of a CEO, where she was involved from its startup phase. She played a pivotal role in the podcast’s rapid growth, securing extensive press coverage and booking major guests such as Stephen Fry, Lewis Capaldi, and Louis Theroux. Emma also expanded the podcast’s distribution to 14 airlines, including BA, Emirates, and Jet Blue, and launched the first video podcast fast channel on Samsung TV Plus across the UK, Germany, Austria, and The Netherlands. Additionally, she worked on the USA chart-topping podcast, Modern Wisdom, hosted by Chris Williamson, securing high-profile guests and new distribution opportunities to broaden the show’s reach and impact.

  At Listen, Emma will enhance and grow the existing podcast slate, while driving fresh creative and commercial opportunities for talent-led original podcasts. Through Listen Labs, she will enhance and grow the premier podcast consultancy, trusted by top brands like Netflix, The Telegraph, and SheerLuxe. Emma brings her exceptional partnership expertise, having driven innovative collaborations with leading brands including WHOOP, The Financial Times, and Mercedes.

  Josh Adley, Managing Director at Listen, says: “Emma joins us at a hugely exciting time for the company, 2024 has been our most widely recognised and commercially successful year to date. As we move into the next phase of Listen’s growth, Emma’s unrivalled experience of building global podcast brands and securing flagship commercial deals will add significant value to Listen’s shows. The insight she will bring to Listen Labs will be invaluable to our clients.”

  Emma Williams adds: “With its reputation as a leader in visualised podcasts, I’m incredibly excited to be joining Listen at such a pivotal time. I’m looking forward to bringing my experience to the team and contributing to the ongoing success and growth of its exceptional diverse podcast slate and beyond!”

  The Listen team have never been busier, with the recent launch of M&S’s Proper Tasty Pub Quiz, hosted by chef Tom Kerridge and broadcaster Chris Stark, a new season of The Traitors: Uncloaked confirmed, and a continued focus on the third series of Olivia Attwood’s So Wrong It’s Right, following its British Podcast Award win last week. Plus, Rylan and Scott Mills continue to bring their signature charm and wit to new BBC visualised podcast, Pop Top 10, taking audiences on a nostalgic journey through pop culture.

• Companion podcasts: A Love Island case study

  From the top of podcast charts to viral TikTok videos, companion podcasts are everywhere. Have you ever wondered why companion podcasts are becoming increasingly popular among TV production companies and viewers alike? We’ll be taking a closer look at one such podcast, Love Island: The Morning After, whose latest season was produced by the Listen team in collaboration with ITV.

  🧠 What are companion podcasts?

  Companion podcasts, refer to those shows that accompany a TV series or movie. Often hosted by super-fans or cast-members themselves, a companion podcast provide a space for those that love a TV series or movie to get more from that content.

  📺 What does a companion podcast look like?

  • The behind-the-scenes and ‘making of’ podcast: often featuring interviews with cast and crew to spill exclusive insights on what it was like to be on set and point out minor details even mega-fans could miss. Think Downton Abbey: The Official Podcast [LINK]
  • The recap and analysis podcasts: such as episode reviews or discussion of plot points and events – e.g. Love Island: The Morning After, Netflix’s We Have The Receipts, Geordie Shore: The Podcast, Dishonest Fun: The Circle’s Official Podcast
  • Fictional extension of the film or programme – e.g. Rebel Robin: Surviving Hawkins, a Stranger Things spin-off podcast from Netflix

  🌴 What is Love Island: The Morning After?

  Love Island: The Morning After is produced in collaboration with ITV and is a daily companion podcast to the ultimate reality TV show, Love Island. Hosted by ex-Islander Indiyah Polack and Sam Thompson, the Love Island super-fan of MIC fame, the podcast offers daily commentary and analysis of the previous evening’s episode, as well as interviews with ex-Islanders and those who have been dumped in the current season.

  🏆 What makes Love Island: The Morning After a hit?

  By featuring interviews with former contestants and those who have been dumped in the current season, the podcast helps listeners to get to know the contestants on a more personal level. This, in turn, can create a stronger emotional connection between viewers and the show, which can lead to increased loyalty and engagement – viewers are more likely to keep tuning in to Love Island if they are more invested in the cast and the storylines.

  The podcast has also been successful in extending the reach of the Love Island franchise beyond the show’s broadcast. By providing daily commentary and analysis of the previous evening’s episode, the podcast keeps viewers engaged with the show on a daily basis, even when the show is not on air. This helps to create a sense of continuity, buzz and excitement around the show, which can lead to increased viewership and engagement.

  👀 Why do you need a companion podcast?

  1. A huge audience is up for grabs According to Podtrac, the top 10 TV companion podcasts had a combined average weekly audience of over 2 million listeners in 2020. This means there’s a huge opportunity to attract new audiences for your TV show or film.
  2. In Love Island’s case, the podcast helps to drive awareness of the show and creates a dialogue around it, becoming a discussion point among friends and fans online and generating millions of downloads.
  3. The TV & Film category is booming According to Ofcom’s April 2023 Podcast Survey, 46% of podcast listeners tune into TV and Film podcasts at least once a month, and an impressive 51% have listened to a podcast linked to a TV programme – a 4% increase from 2022. This demonstrates that there’s a growing appetite for TV & Film content, making now a great time to capitalise on this increased interest.
  4. Love Island: The Morning After satisfies this demand and meets TV-loving audiences where they are already consuming other podcast content. ITV capitalising on this with the Love Island podcast has meant the show appeared consistently in the top 10 TV & Film podcasts for the duration of this latest winter season.
  5. Deepen the connection with viewers According to a study by HBO Max, 85% of those who listened to a programme’s official podcast felt more connected to the show. Companion podcasts provide an additional platform for engaging with viewers and building a dedicated fan base. By offering behind-the-scenes insights and interviews with show insiders, companion podcasts can help to deepen viewers’ connection to the show, which is more likely to result in viewers making Love Island part of their TV viewing routine and coming back again for subsequent seasons.
  6. Grow the community around your show Companion podcasts help to continue the conversation around a show or film and provide an opportunity to connect fans together. This can help to create a sense of community around the show, which can be particularly valuable for fans who may not have anyone in their immediate social circle who shares their love of the show.In the case of Love Island: The Morning After, this is visible in the number of reviews and ratings left on the podcast itself, as well as in mentions of the podcast and its hosts across social media – not to mention engagement on social posts from the Love Island official accounts.

  In conclusion, companion podcasts like Love Island: The Morning After are a valuable addition to the TV landscape. They offer TV shows an additional platform for engaging with viewers and building a dedicated fan base, while also providing viewers with a deeper understanding of the show and its production, as well as opportunities for engagement and community building.

• How The Traitors: Uncloaked rewrote the companion podcast playbook

  Here’s how we took everything we know about creating hit companion podcasts, and rewrote it to create the companion show that lead, and supercharged, the social conversation around The Traitors.

  1. ‘A Podcast With Some Cameras Pointed At It’ had to be the approach. Podcasting is our absolute expertise and we could identify the sensibilities of what makes the best companion pods so intimate and addictive. No matter what the decision was, reminding ourselves of this mantra led the way.
  2. Offering Something Properly Compelling For Fans. We spent a good chunk of time truly understanding the show and the relationship fans have with it. Getting exclusive access to the cast when they left the castle, with footage of the banished and murdered discovering who the Traitors were became our biggest USP.
  3. Recreating the world of The Traitors on our set. Uncloaked couldn’t feel like an add on; it had to feel like the basement of the castle, it had to live and breathe each episode of the main show with the props and visual jokes.
  4. Fine tuning the audience journey. How would we get Traitors fans from BBC1 over to BBC2 for Uncloaked, then on to BBC Sounds after for our bonus material became a question we spent a lot of time answering. We didn’t get it right on day 1 but by tailoring our approach, and getting the BBC onboard the numbers grew and grew.
  5. Building a genuinely world-class team of visual experts around our core podcast powerhouse. By Friday night’s live audience finale our whole team working together was a phenomenal thing to witness – well oiled doesn’t come close!
  6. Proper trust between partners was vital. The Traitors is a monolith – we were just one small part of it. But BBC TV, BBC Sounds, Studio Lambert and Listen joined forces in a way which became very rare, and very powerful.
  7. Taking risks and moving mountains, the whole team, across our various companies were all in pursuit of making a brilliant show. From day 1 the mission we all aligned on was ‘making something to break the mould.’

  Uncloaked was a huge creative challenge. The stakes were massive and it required so many individuals to come together and do their best – and the results we’re extraordinary. We’ve had so many comments from audience members who found the show and have never before consumed a podcast. This show brought podcasting even more into the mainstream and numbers aside, that’s a success.

• Graham Norton & Maria McErlane Launch Wanging On

  Graham Norton and Maria McErlane reunite to launch their debut original podcast, Wanging On. Back in their much-loved problem-solving roles, the pair tackle listeners’ life dramas with sometimes serious, but mostly-nonsense advice, fantastic honesty, and laugh-out-loud stories from 30 years of friendship.

  Building on their popular radio days, Graham Norton and Maria McErlane’s fully visualised podcast dives even deeper into life’s messiest dilemmas – from workplace woes to family drama and romantic disasters. No problem is too big, too small or too strange. The pair offer a lighthearted lift to listeners’ days, tackling the commonplace problems that everyone can identify with. Expect laughs, shocking confessions and questionable resolutions…

  As the country’s favourite chat show host, voice of Eurovision, and five-time BAFTA winner, Graham Norton makes a highly anticipated debut into original podcasts – over a year since fans last heard him on the airwaves. Much-loved by audiences since the pair first appeared on the 1996 TV show Carnal Knowledge, Maria appeared on Graham’s BBC Radio 2 show for over a decade where they were listened to by millions each week, before moving to Virgin Radio. They share a three-decade co-hosting partnership that’s become a beloved fixture for fans across the UK.

  Now, they’re back for Wanging On – a brand-new show that marks a major moment for the medium.

  

  “It’s relaxed, it’s ridiculous, and it’s what Maria and I have always loved doing – chatting nonsense and digging into people’s drama.” says host Graham Norton. “Wanging On is unlike anything I’ve done before – instead of just talking at the audience, the podcast lets Maria and I have a real conversation with them. I can’t wait to be delighted by the listener’s fantastic advice and hilarious stories.”

  Featuring voice notes from listeners, Wanging On brings real stories and advice into the conversation, and a new ‘Am I Weird?’ segment, where listeners share their quirks and Graham and Maria decide if they should feel shame or pride. Expect to hear confessions of spying on exes, creating fake PA personas and ‘borrowing’ souvenirs from one-night stands.

  Wanging On is produced by Listen, a Platform Media label. As part of ‘next-generation media agency’, Platform Media, Listen is leading the way in bridging traditional broadcast talent with non-traditional media. By pairing high-quality production with industry-leading marketing, the company is helping globally recognised names make a powerful impact on social media, podcast platforms and beyond.

  Graham and Maria hilariously solve two burning dilemmas in the first episode: what to do when you are surprised by a girlfriend’s nudist father, and whether to give long saved money to your grandchildren if you think they will “spunk it”. Finally, they will judge if a listener is weird for having an extensive wardrobe for their dog.

  New episodes of Wanging On are available every Monday on YouTube, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.

   

• Eddie Hall Launches The Good The Bad & The Beast

  In a climate where macho podcasts dominate the global charts, Eddie Hall offers a new side to the story. On The Good, The Bad & The Beast, Eddie sits down with real-life ‘beasts’ – from elite athletes and record breakers to fearless adventurers and A-list stars – to find out what’s the common thread between those who achieve amazing feats. Each episode delivers raw, unfiltered conversations that go beyond the headlines, and digs deep into defining moments, setbacks, and sacrifices that shape some of the world’s most celebrated figures.

  Bringing unmatched credibility as the globally recognised former World’s Strongest Man titleholder, World Record Deadlifter and World’s Strongest Man USA host, Eddie offers the perspective of someone who’s truly been there and done it. With a social following 17 million-strong, fans come for his legendary accomplishments and stick around for his humour and authenticity. Launching The Good, The Bad & The Beast marks a new chapter for Eddie, as he reveals a new side of himself through honest conversations with fellow heavy-hitters who’ve faced the extremes of success and struggle.

  

  “My career so far has been spent pushing my body and mind beyond its limits – so I know more than most the dedication it takes to secure medals and records. This podcast has allowed me to dig deeper and have real, vulnerable conversations with the people I look up to about what it actually takes to succeed. Hopefully, these honest conversations will offer support and inspiration to anyone facing their own challenges.” – Eddie Hall

  The series kicks off with an explosive interview with Tommy Fury. Carrying one of the most famous surnames in boxing, Tommy is the undefeated professional boxer and half-brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. In this exclusive interview he shares a new side to his story, reflecting on his upbringing in the tight-knit Traveller community, his relationship with academia and how his father’s 6-year prison sentence impacted his relationship with sports.

  Known for infamous fights against Jake Paul and KSI, Tommy reveals the pressures of being in the public eye so young and how his victories over high-profile opponents cemented his reputation. In 2024, Tommy faced one of his toughest years yet, sidelined from boxing due to the major hand surgery he had in 2023. Unable to fight, Tommy reveals he struggled to find purpose, leading to excessive drinking. This challenging period impacted all areas of his life and led to personal struggles.

  They discuss what’s next: still early into his boxing career, Tommy’s determination and ambition to step up competition. Plus, he gives an insight into the very real possibility of a rematch with YouTuber and boxing disruptor Jake Paul.

  Coming up on The Good, The Bad & The Beast – guests from Tom Stoltman, to Leah Shutkever, and Martyn Ford, names that redefine what the human body and mind can endure.

  New episodes of The Good, The Bad & The Beast are available every Tuesday on YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts.

  The Good, The Bad, & The Beast is a Folding Pocket production. Folding Pocket is Platform Media’s label specialising in unmissable sports conversation. The show will join a slate that includes The Good, The Bad & The Rugby, The Kyle Walker Podcast, and Only Scrans’ Scran Away.

• New podcasting supergroup

  London – Thursday 10 April 2025 – Platform Media has created the UK’s leading content supergroup through a merger with Listen Entertainment and Goldhawk Productions. With combined revenues deep into eight figures and over 70% growth in the past year, Platform Media brings together market leaders in video podcasting, immersive audio storytelling, branded entertainment and social amplification to offer a one-stop shop of best-in-class production, media, marketing and monetisation, all under one roof.

  Having worked together under parent company PodX for nine months, Josh Adley, Managing Director of Listen, and Matthew Sherry, CEO of Platform Media, will step in as co-CEOs, driving the company’s next phase of expansion.

  ---

  

  Matthew Sherry and Josh Adley, co-CEOs of Platform Media

  ---

  At the heart of Platform Media’s success is a 360° approach that has transformed the commercial ceiling of podcasts. The company’s collection of services has turned hit shows into digital brands that generate seven figures each year, with one alone hitting £3 million.

  Platform Media is kicking off this new era with a blockbuster lineup of originals in sport and entertainment this autumn. Recent hit launches from the supergroup include Olivia Attwood’s So Wrong It’s Right, BBC’s The Traitors: Uncloaked, The Good, The Bad, and The Rugby with Mike Tindall, James Haskell and Alex Payne, Central Intelligence with Kim Cattrall and Ed Harris, Child with India Rakusen, and Making A Scene with David Walliams and Matt Lucas.

  “There are seismic shifts happening in the podcast industry right now,” said Matthew Sherry. “We’ve pioneered a unique monetisation model that is leading the industry forward. This merger is the natural next step, and we’re ready to make a lasting impact.”

  Josh Adley added: “Matthew and I have been trying to find ways to work more closely for years, underpinned by independently having the same vision for the future of the podcast industry.”

  While Platform Media will act as the central hub for branded entertainment, marketing, and monetisation, its three content labels will focus on original content creation. Listen will continue to lead in entertainment, pioneering visualised podcasts that bridge TV, SVOD, and audio, with major successes such as The Traitors: Uncloaked and Disney’s Rivals: The Official Podcast. Folding Pocket is setting the agenda in sports content, producing The Good, The Bad & The Rugby and the new football-meets-food series Scran Away in partnership with Only Scrans. Goldhawk, a multi-award-winning leader in fiction and factual audio storytelling, continues to work with major A-list talent and inspire TV adaptations

  Now an 80-strong team based in brand-new offices in Farringdon, London, Platform Media continues to push the boundaries of content creation.

  For more information please contact: emma.williams@platformmedia.uk

• 2024 has been our biggest and best yet

  2024 has been our biggest and best yet.

  We’ve launched new shows:

  ☎️ Olivia Attwood’s So Wrong It’s Right
  🕵️‍♂️ The Traitors: Uncloaked
  💋 Rivals: The Official Podcast
  🍻 M&S’ Proper Tasty Pub Quiz
  🎵 Pop Top 10 with Scott Mills and Rylan
  ⚽ 53 Minutes
  🧸 Child
  🗺️ Punt & Dennis: Route Masters
  💖 Famously in Love
  💬 Communicating with Ros Atkins
  👩 Where To Be A Woman
  🚨 What The Fraud?
  💪 Unstoppable
  🌼 Tonies: In the night garden Bedtime with Upsy Daisy

  Started production on existing shows:

  📈 PwC’s Take on Tomorrow
  🏏 The Vaughany and Tuffers Cricket Club
  ⏳ The Official Doctor Who Podcast

  Continued production on:

  👭 French & Saunders Titting About
  🌱 Game Changers (re-launched)
  💻 Invest in Progress
  🧠 CIPD
  👥 Digital HR Leaders

  ‍Produced 16 radio strands a week including Radio 1 Rock Show, British Asian Music Chart and Radio 2’s Sound of the 80s. 📻

  And welcomed 4 new members of the team – as well as many new freelancers.

  It’s been a major year and we will kick off 2025 in style – a podcast on TV on New Year’s Day.🎉