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Audio producer Somethin’ Else and Sony Music announce new podcast venture
We’re proud to announce a new global content partnership with Somethin’ Else, Britain’s leading independent audio producer, expanding our development of podcast shows across multiple genres.
Somethin’ Else is the acclaimed production company behind hugely popular series such as David Tennant Does A Podcast With…, Unheard: The Fred & Rose West Tapes and The Sun King with David Dimbleby. The team have produced content across audio, TV and social media for the past 25 years and their previous work has seen them win numerous awards including eight BAFTAs.
Under the agreement, Somethin’ Else will work with Sony Music to expand its leadership position in the UK market. In addition, a range of new international podcasting opportunities will be pursued including in the US where Somethin’ Else has opened an office in New York.
“We are building a diverse music and entertainment company by working with partners who are the best in their fields,” said Jason Iley, Chairman & CEO of Sony Music UK and Ireland. “Somethin’ Else have driven so much of the creativity and innovation in British podcasting and we are delighted to help bring their work to audiences around the world.”
“Somethin’ Else is an established podcast leader focused on bringing high-quality programming to listeners and we are very impressed with the company Jez Nelson and team have built,” said Dennis Kooker, President, Global Digital Business and U.S. Sales, Sony Music Entertainment. “Our new partnership will support Somethin’ Else’s continued creative success and expand the reach of its shows to a truly global audience.”
Newly-launched series that will form part of the Sony Music deal include How Did We Get Here? with Claudia Winkleman and Professor Tanya Byron, which provides listeners with insight and advice on family and parenting issues. Peaking at no.1 in the UK Apple Podcast Charts at launch, the topics range from parental estrangement, gender identity and mental health issues to challenging family dynamics amid hardship. Also included in the partnership is The Last Post produced with The Bugle, which was at the vanguard of satirical comedy podcasts when it launched in 2007 with John Oliver. The Last Post, which launched on Jan 1st 2020, is a daily satirical news fantasy that delivers 366 days of fake news, alternative facts and wildly predicted half-truths hosted by comedian Alice Fraser and guests from the full line up of Bugle co-hosts.
As a partner in podcasting, Sony Music will provide expertise in content creation, marketing and monetisation to help enhance the scale and scope of Somethin’ Else’s work.
“We are extremely excited about entering into this Joint Venture with Sony Music,” said Jez Nelson, Founder and CEO of Somethin’ Else. “ It’s a dream combination of our decades of audio production expertise and podcast success with their global reach, market expertise, marketing power and creative nous.
“This partnership will allow us, together, to rapidly expand our podcast business, reaching new audiences and revenues. Sony’s ambition in this space matches ours and we look forward to playing an even bigger part in the podcast revolution.”
Initial releases for February and beyond will be announced in the coming weeks – stay tuned.