Radio Group Acquires Financial Stake in UK's Podcast Radio

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, March 8, 2023 | 5:20pm CT

Podcast Radio

Podcast discovery platform and new radio station format Podcast Radio has announced that UK-based broadcaster Tindle Media Group has made a significant investment in Podcast Radio as it grows and expands to the U.S. in 2023. The announcement was made today at the Podcast Movement Evolutions conference in Las Vegas, which kicks off today and runs through Friday, May 10th. Podcast Radio is a sponsor of Podcast Movement Evolutions.

Concurrently, Podcast Radio has partnered with New York City-based KMG Networks to distribute an American version of Podcast Radio programming to radio stations and groups across the U.S. beginning this spring.

Podcast Radio launched three years ago in the UK and uses the trust and familiarity people have for their local radio stations to help them sample and choose from curated podcasts. Podcast Radio broadcasts 24/7 online and via app and smart speakers. It is monetized by selling traditional on-air advertising and sponsorships, inserting commercials into its online audio stream, partnering with international content makers, and making original podcasts and bespoke audio content that resonate with audiences.

Tindle Media Group's major investment in Podcast Radio follows last year's investment in the company by Nation Broadcasting. Nation Broadcasting is one of the fastest-growing media companies in the UK, with a portfolio of national, regional and local commercial radio stations, a digital marketing business (Nation Digital), a transmission software company (Factum Radioscape), and operations and investments in DAB transmission (Muxco and Muxcast).

Tindle Media Group owns and operates a portfolio of four radio stations in the UK and Republic of Ireland including Channel 103 in Jersey, Island FM in Guernsey, Soleil Radio across the Channel Islands, and Midlands 103 in Ireland. They also own 23 local and regional newspaper titles across Britain.

Tindle Media Group CEO Danny Cammiade said, "With some of the most listened-to local radio stations anywhere in the British Isles, we have a strong history in providing content which engages listeners. That is why our investment is a natural extension for our company. We look forward to seeing Podcast Radio grow and make a real difference both in the UK and the international market."

Podcast Radio Founder and CEO Gerry Edwards commented, "We're pleased to have two very well-established commercial radio groups support our exciting plans to grow internationally. Both Nation and Tindle have shown great faith in Podcast Radio, and we will draw on their considerable operational and commercial experience as we expand into U.S. audio."

Podcast Radio Director Paul Chantler noted, "With KMG Networks, we are close to announcing our first partnership with a major U.S. broadcaster, which will see us launch in several radio markets in North America. Nation and Tindle are supporting us to do this and more in 2023."

KMG Networks CEO Gary Krantz remarked, "Podcast Radio has established itself as a leading innovator and forward-thinking company in the UK, providing a game-changing way for listeners to discover new podcasts. Podcast Radio dramatically increases the content offerings of spoken word stations and provides new and highly targeted content sponsorship opportunities for marketers."

At the NAB conference in New York in October 2022, Podcast Radio announced new ideas for the way podcast content is presented on radio. The team is currently developing a new short-form audio platform alongside the streaming channels already launched for Business, Crime and Comedy content.