Bauer Media, Europe’s leading digital radio and audio business and the UK’s biggest magazine publisher, has today announced that they are set to add a new original podcast from Frank Skinner, produced by Avalon, to their growing podcast portfolio.

The announcement follows Bauer Media’s digital audio expansion strategy, which includes releasing over ten more original podcasts this year. According to latest figures from a new Bauer Media research study¹, 57% of respondents said they listen to podcasts, with 11% sharing that they have been listening to podcasts more since the coronavirus outbreak. Digital listening for Bauer Media has continued to rise, with record listening via Smart Speakers on Sunday 5^th April and other connected devices continuing to show week-on-week uplift in total listening hours. The company’s most recent podcast launch, Love in the Time of Corona, saw reach increase by +82% in the last week, while Empire Spoiler Specials increased by +41%.

Launching on April 20^th, ‘Frank Skinner’s Poetry Podcast’ follows the huge success of The Frank Skinner Show on Absolute Radio and will bring the comic’s wry observations and relatable wit as he explores his favourite poetic pieces. Reading extracts and analysing works, Frank will share and dissect the best verses of familiar and lesser-known poets in weekly segments.

Speaking about the podcast Frank Skinner shared, “I plan to talk about poems the way I talk about football. I’m passionate about both and believe there is a real space for something that brings listeners on board a literary journey stepping stone to stepping stone, never stranded behind.

“I’ll be like that guy who sits at an adjoining table in the bar at Euston Station, leaning across to tell you something amazing before leaving to get his train. It will be direct, urgent, personal, funny and passionate with me holding the listener’s forearm until I’ve said my piece. I will be like the Coleridge’s Ancient Mariner, stopping the passing wedding guest, telling his arresting tale, of albatross slaughter and HR unrest, and then disappearing into the night.”

Vicky Foster, Commercial Director, Digital said, “Following the huge success of The Frank Skinner Show we wanted to continue to produce new audio content that highlights our incredible talent and leverages the influence of our brands. Frank Skinner’s Poetry Podcast directly aligns with our audience listening insights, so we believe it will successfully target both Frank and Absolute Radio fans and reach out to new listeners. It, along with our other podcasts in our portfolio, are therefore able to provide intimate, interesting channels for advertisers to speak to their audiences effectively and authentically.”

Jon Thoday, Executive Producer, Avalon added, “We are delighted that Absolute Radio are broadening their relationship with Frank Skinner.” 

‘Frank Skinner’s Poetry Podcast’ will be available from April 20^th. Listen and download on Planet Radio, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and all mainstream podcast providers.

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¹ Original Bauer Media research on audience behaviour and consumption was conducted between Thursday 19th March-Sunday 22nd March 2020. An update was gathered between March 31^st and 3^rd April. For more information email advertising@bauermedia.co.uk

For further press information, please contact: 

Cat Martin – Communications Director, Bauer Media Audio

cat.martin@bauermedia.co.uk – 07932746363

Odelia Yu, Senior Commercial Communications Executive, Bauer Media

odelia.yu@bauermedia.co.uk – 07718124791

Lucy Plosker – Publicity Manager, Avalon

lplosker@avalonuk.com  – 07827 243 986

About Bauer Media Audio

Bauer Media Audio is Europe’s leading digital commercial broadcaster and audio operator. Experts in the power of sound, the company reaches over twenty-six million listeners daily through its market-leading broadcast radio, online services, and podcasts creating commercial value. The business spans 7 countries including the UK, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Poland and Slovakia, with leading brands including KISS, Mix Megapol, Absolute Radio, Radio Norge, Radio Expres, Radio Nova, The Voice and RMF.

About Avalon

Avalon is a multi-award-winning talent management, television production and live promotion group with offices in London, Los Angeles and New York.

The company represents a prolific roster of artists including comedians, actors, presenters, writers and directors and produces numerous ground-breaking television shows. Series currently in production include: Not Going Out (BBC), the UK’s longest running sitcom on air; Taskmaster (Channel 4), the hit entertainment format showing in 100 countries; multi Emmy-winner, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO); The Russell Howard Hour (Sky), the network’s most successful entertainment show launch since 2010; Starstruck, a new sitcom from the 2018 Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Rose Matafeo (HBO Max/BBC); Everything’s Gonna Be Okay, from creator Josh Thomas (Freeform); Breeders, a new sitcom starring Martin Freeman and Daisy Haggard (FX/Sky); The Iliza Shlesinger Sketch Show (Netflix); new series of the iconic British satirical puppet show, Spitting Image (BritBox UK);  and multiple comedy specials for Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max and Netflix. Other landmark Avalon shows include BAFTA winning and multi Emmy nominated, Catastrophe (Amazon Prime Video/Channel 4), Fantasy Football League (BBC/ITV), multi BAFTA-winning TV Burp (ITV), and seven seasons of Workaholics (Comedy Central USA). Avalon also distributes its catalogue of programmes to over 150 countries worldwide.

As a leading promoter of live comedy, Avalon produced Newman and Baddiel: Live at Wembley, the UK’s first arena comedy show; Jerry Springer: The Opera, the first West End show to win all four UK ‘Best New Musical’ awards; and has continued to produce and promote live shows globally, as well as promoting more winners and nominees of the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Award than any other company.

For Avalon news visit: www.avalonuk.com/press or follow @avalonent