The EBU Call for Podcast Formats is an annual initiative to collect new, innovative and successful podcasts from across the EBU membership. Issued by the EBU Radio Unit, the call is designed to support the exchange of audio formats and facilitate knowledge sharing among Members.
The 2023 call is running from 3 April to 29 May.
Innovative or successful podcasts that have the potential to be adapted in another country;
Pitches for new ideas for joint podcast productions that would be co-production or co-funding projects involving multiple partners;
Special focus for 2023: this year’s special focus is on audio and young audiences; we encourage Members to submit podcasts for kids (preschool or 4-12) and/or youth (14-29).
The subject of the podcast must be of international interest and/or convey universal values: it can either be a local story with an international appeal, a topic of international appeal, or a format that could be successful in a different language community.
For new pitches, the idea should be relevant to potential co-producers.
Projects that align with our 2023 focus on young audiences can either have already proved successful or involve testing a new format or production approach or be innovative in some other way.
The clearance of rights (music, authors, archives) must be reasonable.
Original sound design must be replicable (files should come with separate tracks – spoken word, sound design, audio jingles etc.).
Podcasts should be scripted or semi-scripted (applicable for potential adaptations).
There is no restriction with regard to genre (documentary, fiction, kids’ podcast, etc.) or duration.
The call is open to EBU Members only.
If an independent production is submitted, this submission must be done via an EBU Member’s internal team.
Please use this form to submit your work: https://forms.office.com/e/siaQamrTHK
If there are problems uploading files or inserting any specific information, please contact us directly.
This call is closely linked with the EBU Podcast Forum, taking place on 7–8 September in Oslo and hosted by NRK.
A limited number of podcasts will be selected to be presented or pitched by their producers at the event. This offers a unique opportunity to present your work directly to your peer network and exchange knowledge or formats in person during the event. Those selected for presentation at the EBU Podcast Forum will be asked to provide a short (up to 5 minutes) video trailer or audio extract with original sound and English subtitles.
All selected producers will be notified by the end of June and will receive further information on how to prepare for their presentation.
The Call for Podcasts will also be used as the basis for a catalogue that will be published ahead of the EBU Podcast Forum and shared with the entire EBU radio community. The catalogue, featuring a wider selection of podcasts than those presented at the event, will provide a description of each podcast along with practical information and contacts for those interested in adapting the format.
Members can submit up to six podcasts in response to the call, however, a maximum of three podcasts per company will be included in the catalogue.
For more information, please contact Julien Hamou, Project Manager, EBU Radio (hamou@ebu.ch).