Monday 5th of August, London – Podcasters vying for the coveted ‘Listeners’ Choice’ prize at the 2024 British Podcast Awards are reminded that voting for the category will close at midnight on Thursday 29th of August 2024.
The hotly anticipated Listeners’ Choice category represents the only British Podcast Award decided by public voters rather than by judges’ decision. It’s open to any podcast, regardless of whether or not they’ve submitted entries for other categories.
The vote is via a free public poll on the BPA’s website, meaning podcasters must compete to mobilise their fanbases to get out and vote for them. Last year, over 250,000 individuals cast their vote, resulting in true crime podcast RedHanded scoring a hatrick win, with 2023 being the third consecutive year they’ve taken home the title.
As the RedHanded hosts, Hannah Maguire and Suruthi Bala, are taking on the role of this year’s co-Chair of Judges, it makes them ineligible for this year’s Listeners’ Choice Award, meaning the competition is open for a new name to clinch the crown.
Podcasters are encouraged to remind their listeners of the award and prep them to cast their vote, they have just 25 days to do so! To qualify for the award, the podcast must be UK-based (or aimed at a primarily UK audience), and they must have been made available to listen to in the Apple Podcasts directory since 1st June 2024. The vote closes on 29th August, and the winner will announced during the awards in September.
The BPA’s have designed a series of assets to help podcasters promote voting through their social channels. They are free to access HERE
The awards will return for a second year to HERE at Outernet in London on Thursday 26th September, hosted by comedian and podcaster Marcus Brigstocke. The immersive entertainment space in the heart of central London will welcome the podcast community to champion the people both in front of and behind the microphone. Thousands of podcasters will be trying to scoop ‘Podcast Of The Year’, as well as 25 individual categories including Best Entertainment, Best News & Current Affairs and the Spotlight Award.
Entries for the rest of the award categories closed on the 9th May. Now, it is up to the decision of 200 judges of who is shortlisted for the 2024 British Podcast Awards. The winners of the Listeners’ Choice award will be revealed alongside these. Tickets are available to purchase now via the British Podcast Awards website.
There’s also a bursary scheme, supported by partner Wondery, available to shortlisted nominees (including the Listeners’ Choice shortlist which will be announced after voting closes). This is particularly aimed at podcast creators within the independent sector to ensure all parts of the podcast community are able to participate. Email britishpodcastawards@haymarket.com to apply.
