It’s also been confirmed that the new Commissioning Editor for BBC World Service English Jeremy Skeet will be speaking at the event which will be held on March 22nd at the Lowry, Salford Quays.
There will also be pre-recorded audio presentations from ABC Radio in Australia, CBC Radio in Canada and Radio New Zealand.
The UK Radio Production Conference is the affordable media conference for independent producers, radio production companies and freelancers. Conference founder Ashley Byrne says: “The focus of this year’s event is all about showcasing what great ‘built’ radio programming is being made in Britain and around the world and exploring opportunities to co-operate and collaborate to broaden its appeal internationally.
“Radio listening is thriving so why shouldn’t more of our great documentaries, comedy and drama be turning up on stations in other parts of the world – and equally why shouldn’t we be hearing some of the fantastic programming that’s made in other countries too. “It’s nothing new in TV but we don’t tend to shout and promote our successes in radio and this conference is about creating a dialogue that might just lead to a bigger and broader market for audio production.”
Ashley says: “I am delighted that the Commonwealth countries will be represented. There are radio stations in all 54 independent states. The historic UK connection is obviously huge but do we do enough as a radio sector in Britain to reach out to those communities around the world? He adds: “This is turning into a truly exciting international event. We even have delegates attending from East Africa!”
As well as the international speakers at next month’s conference, The BBC will also set out the kind of independent programming it’s looking to finance from its radio Innovation Fund. Independent producers will be urged to be ‘ambitious’ in their thinking when BBC Audio and Music Group Manager, Chris Burns addresses this year’s conference.
The BBC Trust recently insisted outside companies must be allowed to compete with in-house BBC departments for more programming contracts - and that means the Innovation Fund will be increasingly relevant to the UK’s growing independent radio production sector. Ideas that in the past have been supported by the fund include The History of the World on Radio 4, Sing Hallelujah on Radio 3, The BBC Introducing Masterclass on Radio 1, Hull Fest on 5Live and The Comedy Awards for Radio 2.
The main keynote speaker at this year’s conference will be the BBC’s Director of Audio and Music Tim Davie while Radio 1 and 1Xtra’s new commissioning editor Piers Bradford will be making his first appearance in front of the independent production sector.
Tickets for the conference are selling well and Producers and freelancers based in the North West may be eligible for a subsidised registration fee of £45 plus VAT. Go to: http://www.eventelephant.com/rpin2011
