BBC Launches Search For New Podcast Talent In Rachael Bland New Podcast Award Competition

Rachael Bland

The BBC is looking for the U.K.'s next podcast voices, and has established the RACHAEL BLAND New Podcast Award, a nationwide search that will lead to a winner producing a pilot with BBC RADIO 5 LIVE.  BLAND, a 5 LIVE news anchor and host who hosted the podcast "YOU, ME AND THE BIG C," a chronicle of her dealing with cancer, passed away of breast cancer last SEPTEMBER; TODAY (1/21) would have been her 41st birthday. 

Entrants, who must be U.K. residents not already in the broadcasting business, must submit a 500 word proposal by FEBRUARY 11th to be judged by a panel including BLAND's husband STEVE, her producer MIKE HOLT, her friend and colleague UMA DORAISWAMY, and 5 LIVE Controller JONATHAN WALL and editors HEIDI DAWSON and DIXI STEWART.

WALL said, “When RACHAEL first pitched her podcast idea to us, we knew it was going to be special, but we could never have predicted the immense impact it had on its listeners. We’re looking for those ideas that don’t normally get heard. It’ll need to be original, fun, personal and teaches us something. Thanks to RACHAEL, there’s already an incredible health podcast about cancer. So tell us something we don’t know. Be original and make us laugh. We’re incredibly excited to see what talent this award discovers.”

Applications and more details are available at bbc.co.uk/rachaward.

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