The Podcast Show 2025: A Glimpse into the Future of Podcasting
In Islington, London, mid-May is quickly becoming synonymous with podcasting in the UK and perhaps globally. At the heart of it all is The Podcast Show. The Business Design Centre has established itself as the annual hub for this must-attend podcast event, and the 2025 edition was as impressive – if not more so – than ever before. Marking its third year, the vibrant gathering brought together podcasting professionals, enthusiasts, and innovators. The event highlighted the industry’s swift evolution, showcasing emerging trends, cutting-edge technology, and the community’s strong spirit of collaboration.
It is fast becoming the go-to podcast event in the global calendar, as well as the friendliest podcast conference.
Embracing the Video Revolution
A significant theme at the show for 2025 was the integration of video into podcasting. Catherine Browne, Head of Sales at The Roost Podcast Network, emphasized this shift:
“It’s not ‘audio OR video’… It’s audio AND video. The future of podcasting doesn’t belong to a single format, it belongs to our creators and the amazing content they generate.”
This sentiment reflects the industry’s move towards a hybrid model, leveraging both audio’s intimacy and video’s expansive reach.
Although James Cridland, editor of Podnews, was at pains to remind us that podcasting is something for “the ears to do while the eyes are busy”, and of course he is right!
Matthew McLean from The Podcast Host was also keen to expand on how important audio is to podcasts when he asked attendees as a part of a podcast (of course), ‘Do we need to champion spoken-word audio in the world of video hype?’. You can hear a special edition of the rather superb Podcraft to hear what some of the makers and shakers in the podcast industry thought.
A Community-Driven Industry
The Podcast Show underscored the podcasting community’s collaborative nature. James Cridland, editor of Podnews, noted:
“Nobody is really in competition – we all have a goal to raise the industry further, and then we all win.”
This collective mindset was evident in the numerous panels, workshops, and networking events, fostering an environment of shared growth and innovation.
Martin Liss, Co-founder & General Manager, Podcast 360, said “A two-day playground of inspiration, colourful, lovely and fun”
Kym Treasure, Founder & CEO, Audacia, said “The Podcast Show 2025 uniquely offered wonderful panel discussions, excellent networking, with a distinct energy.”
Global Perspectives and Innovations
The event also highlighted podcasting’s global expansion. Greg Glenday, Global Chief Business Officer for Acast, shared:
“Acast was all around—joined by our brilliant podcasters, advertisers, and partners—sharing the knowledge that has helped us put $470m+ into creators’ pockets.”
Such insights underscore the industry’s economic impact and its potential for creators worldwide.
Celebrating Excellence
The Podcast Show also recognized outstanding contributions to podcasting. Sam Sethi highlighted James Cridland’s achievement:
“Congratulations to James Cridland for becoming the first recipient of the International Impact Award given by The Podcast Academy.”
Chosen by the Podcast Academy’s Board of Governors as a new iteration of the Awards for Excellence in Audio, better known as The Ambies, this honor recognizes a podcast or individual based outside of the United States whose work has had a significant, positive effect on its listeners and the industry as a whole.
And indeed, well done James, richly deserved, and such accolades inspire continued excellence and innovation within the community.
Looking Ahead
As The Podcast Show 2025 concluded, attendees left with renewed energy and insights into the industry’s future. From embracing multimedia formats to fostering global collaborations, the event highlighted podcasting’s dynamic evolution and its boundless potential.
We’ll see you at The Podcast Show 2026!
