The UK’s Audio & Radio Industry Awards [ARIAS] from The Radio Academy will be opening up further nominations from independent podcasters at next year’s awards, which will be open to applications on 3 January.
The ceremony previously allowed nominations from only two pools per category, allowing three nominations from the BBC for Pool A and three nominations from commercial, community, or other radio stations for Pool B. Next year, there will be an additional three nominations dedicated to independent podcast submissions across 18 of the 28 total categories.
“This is the most significant set of changes to the ARIAS since they launched in 2016,” said chair of judges Phil Riley. “We’re further embracing the independent podcast sector, by giving them three guaranteed nominations in more than half our categories.”
Other new changes to be included in next year’s awards ceremony is the addition of four more categories, including Best Community Radio Station, a split between Best New Radio Show/Best New Podcast (Supported by Audible), Best Audiobook and a 2022 Special Award that will recognise the best audio coverage of the Queen’s passing in 2022.
“The changes and additions to the award categories are helping make sure the ARIAS are fit for the ever-changing audio sector – including the new Community Radio Station of the Year,” said Riley. “And with the phenomenal job the industry did supporting the nation this September, we’re proud to recognise the role radio and audio played in the coverage of Queen’s death through the 2022 Special Award.”
The next ARIAS will take place on 2 May 2023 at the West End and will be hosted by BBC Radio 2’s Rylan Clark-Neal, as well as including a live voiceover from Hits Radio’s Fleur East, who previously hosted the event in 2022.
Radio academy chair Helen Thomas said: “The industry’s reaction to Rylan and Fleur this year was so positive, I’m delighted we have them back to host the ARIAS next year – they’re such stars!”
