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ABC creates million dollar podcasting fund focusing on community shows and new talent

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation will provide a $1m podcasting fund to boost podcast production and extend the range and diversity of content, the organisation announced at the 2017 OzPod Conference this morning.

According to Michael Mason, director of ABC Radio, the fund will focus on small existing community podcasts, as well as up and coming podcasters who are looking for a larger platform.

Mason announced the news at the ABC’s second annual podcasting conference this morning.

“The fund will also be used to commission podcasts around specific communities and their interests across a wide range of activities including sport, culture, lifestyle, comedy and the arts.”

Mason said he saw an “enormous opportunity” to reach out to podcasters, and provide them with the chance to benefit from expertise.

He added: “The ABC has had phenomenal success with its podcast format over recent years and this fund allows us to invest not only in the extension of our own podcast content but also content from the brightest, freshest creative talent in the field.”

Mason said the ABC will be measured by the ability to extend reach into communities and audiences of special interest through new creative partnerships.

The ABC will also look to “deliberately preference content” which fills a gap in their current offering.

ABC’s new fund will be run by ABC Audio Studios, which was established in July this year., and will be available for crafting ideas, developing and planning formats, production processes, and engaging with audiences.

The ABC will call for submissions from Australian podcasters in coming months. Audiences will be able to access the content in early 2018.

ABC’s fund will run for one year.

It comes as the ABC launches a new app, ABC Listen, which will feature the broadcaster’s radio shows, and podcasts.

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