Timeline looks to tap into podcast boom

Timeline TV North is seeking to tap into the booming podcast market by offering high-end, purpose designed podcast services at its MediaCityUK base.

The facility has installed a podcast studio in one of its dubbing suites, built around Pro Tools software, which comes with a range of microphones including Neumann, AKG, Sennheiser, DPA and Shure. The podcast suite runs on hardware by Focusrite, Genelec, Avid, Yamaha, ART and Zoom.

The podcast offer is in addition to Timeline’s established audio department, which includes full broadcast mixing, sound design, track-lay, voiceover, ADR and Source connect for remote reviewing and recording.

Timeline says the podcast service is already proving popular, with local businesses, a brand and a well known Manchester musician.

Podcasts are booming in the UK, with nearly 6 million adults now tuning in each week, according to Ofcom.

The number of weekly podcast listeners has almost doubled in five years – from 3.2m (7% of adults aged 15+) in 2013 to 5.9m (11%) in 2018. The increase is across all age groups, but the steepest growth is among young adults aged 15-24 – with around one in five (18.7%) now listening to podcasts every week.

Timeline Television CEO Dan McDonnell said: “We’re thrilled to add podcasting to our suite of post-production services at Timeline North. It’s a service that fits perfectly with our existing offering at MediaCityUK and we look forward to welcoming more clients on board and working across a wide range of genres.”