Xfm Teams Up With V2 Music In Podcasting Venture

GCap Media’s indie music station Xfm has teamed up with V2 Music to compile the first original music based content for podcast, giving listeners the chance to download free, legal podcasts.

The 15 minute podcast features exclusive versions of three songs from Elbow’s current album, Leaders of the Free World, as well as exerpts from an interview with lead singer Guy Garvey. The podcast will be updated a week later with three songs by The Rakes, followed by Stereophonics and Nada Surf.

The initiative is the first time that major artists in the UK have released the rights to allow their music to be included in a podcast.

Commenting on the deal, Graham Hodge, Xfm’s business director said: “As the UK’s number one new music brand, Xfm’s first foray into podcasting had to involve music. It is fitting that Elbow, a great British band that Xfm has supported from day one, should take this step with us.”

Beth Appleton from V2 Music added: “From CD to downloads, from radio to webstreaming to podcasts – music listeners are once again changing the way they interact and listen to music. Mobility and the ability to discover more are becoming integral to the consumer experience. Podcasting enables music fans to listen to specific music shows when they want with music and interviews entwined.”

Elsewhere the BBC has also embraced the podcasting phenomenon, making a total of 22 radio shows available for download (see BBC Expands Podcasting Trial To Determine Listener Tastes), while BBC director general, Mark Thompson, has pledged to drive the Corporation forward with the adoption of the very latest broadcasting technologies, including podcasting and on-demand internet radio including podcasting and on-demand internet radio (see Thompson Pledges Drive For Digital Revolution).

Earlier this month, Xfm announced plans to begin trial broadcasts in the north east, ahead of a bid for a permanent FM licence in the area (see Xfm To Back North East Bid With Trial Broadcasts).

The indie station started broadcasting Xfm North-East for two weeks from yesterday, airing local content as well as shows from its London station on both DAB digital radio and online.

Xfm: 0871 222 1049 www.xfm.co.uk