ABC’s $1 million podcast fund strengthens Aussie audio industry

The ABC’s 2017 landmark initiative of a $1 million podcast fund has been a huge success.

The initiative launched in October last year, when submissions opened for funding to work alongside the creative team at ABC Audio Studios to produce a distinctive and compelling podcast.

The ABC has revealed just how successful the initiative has been, with the public call-out attracting 1273 submissions after the fund was announced at OzPod 2017.

Podcasts that received support included The Pineapple Project, Fierce Girls, Positions Vacant, Alice Fraser Trilogy, Mindfully, Little Tiny, Out Of The Loop, Troll Play and No Feeling is Final.

“The ABC’s $1 million podcast fund has given an opportunity to many Australian podcasters and extended the diversity of content produced by the ABC,” said ABC head of specialist content Judith Whelan.

“As the nation’s leading podcast producer, the ABC is committed to collaborating with our best and brightest podcasters and giving them the platform and audience to strengthen our growing audio industry.”

The ABC says that other new podcasts developed via the public call-out will be produced in the coming months.

The $1 million podcast fund has also helped the ABC provide professional development training to more than 10 freelance audio producers across Australia.

OzPod 2018 will take place on October 17 in Melbourne.