Australian podcast network Broadwave launched
Melbourne-based radio producers Izzy Roberts-Orr, Areej Nur and Bethany Atkinson-Quinton have launched Broadwave, a curated network of Australian podcasts focused on telling ‘community-driven stories’.
The network aims to ‘provide a genuine, intelligent and considered alternative space for quality independent audio content’, and will help develop and promote emerging Australian podcasts and podcast producers. In addition to partnering with existing independent podcasts, Broadwave will commission new podcasts and one-off creative audio pieces that will be distributed online via its website and on platforms such as iTunes.
Nur told Books+Publishing the team was inspired to launch the network to highlight more local stories. ‘What we found was that we listened to a lot of American podcasts (and some local ones) but the stories that we heard were not necessarily the ones that exist here. We know how many people there are who could be making cool content … so what we wanted [was] to create a curated network of Australian podcasts that are driven by the members and leaders of the communities that we know and love.’
‘We are also actively going to seek out people who are not necessarily represented elsewhere. So regional stories, and rural and remote stories are really important [to us], as well as stories from people of colour, Indigenous people, people with disabilities,’ said Nur.
Broadwave will also provide production support, tailoring its approach depending on the project. ‘If someone has a great idea but has never done any radio or podcasting before, then we’ll be more hands-on,’ said Nur. ‘There are also people who are excellent at what they do, and already have a lot of skills, and maybe all they need from us is a little bit of editorial support or editing.’
The network currently has two projects in development, to be released later this year: Echo, a creative storytelling podcast where different artists will produce audio narratives on a monthly basis; and Legally Black, a podcast presented by Melbourne lawyer Nyadol Nyuon that will look at representations of Africans in the media and the legal system, being African in Australia, as well as ‘broader issues around how the justice system, race and class intersect,’ said Nur.
The initiative is currently self-funded, but will aim to secure funding to develop future projects.
Broadwave is seeking pitches for new creative audio projects, as well as pitches for the forthcoming Echo podcast.
For more information, see the Broadwave website.
Category: Local news
