Podcast platform Acast has renewed its podcast arrangement with the British Broadcasting Corp. The new three-year agreement means Acast will continue to monetize BBC podcasts through advertising outside of the United Kingdom and support the broadcaster to further grow its podcast audience and revenue in key markets, including the United States.
Acast and the BBC first started working together in 2018, when the BBC first opened advertising space in its podcasts internationally. Since then, Acast and the BBC have worked to increase the number of listeners and the revenue for the BBC’s impressive podcast portfolio, which covers news, drama, factual and entertainment. During this period, the BBC launched over 300 new shows, and Acast helped position the BBC as one of the world’s leading podcast producers.
“We know how much people enjoy listening to the BBC’s trusted news, brilliant entertainment podcasts and radio programs around the world,” said Jonathan Wall, controller of BBC Sounds. “It’s also vital that we bring revenue back to the BBC on behalf of the license fee payer so we can invest in more valued content for our audience, so it’s great to be continuing to work with Acast to achieve that.”
Acast CEO Ross Adams said: “It’s been a very strong three years for the BBC’s podcast business and for Acast. We’ve both been at the heart of an industry that has grown exponentially during that time. To renew our partnership for another term is a real endorsement of Acast’s people, our technology and our vision, and we look forward to supporting the BBC as a global podcasting player for many years to come.”