COMPANY founders – broadcaster, Janice Forsyth, and former TV producer, Fiona White – today announced the launch of their exciting new media venture, The Big Light, recognised as Scotland’s first podcast network, with TALK MEDIA, a weekly, in-depth analysis of the big media stories making the news at home and around the globe.
Hosted by broadcaster, author and former Channel 4 executive, Stuart Cosgrove, alongside Professor Eamonn O’Neill – who lectures in journalism at Edinburgh’s Napier University, and was previously STV’s head of Factual Development and a staff writer for Esquire – the podcast will pick up from the duo’s stint on ‘The Media Review’ (BBC Radio Scotland’s ‘The John Beattie Show’).
Already popular for their candid commentary and incisive, informed opinion, in its new podcast form, it will be uninterrupted, longer in duration and will feature a wide array of guests drawn from international media, bringing new and diverse voices to air.
Stuart Cosgrove said: “A new generation of Scottish based media is emerging and we are passionate about seeing it succeed. The Media Review was frequently one of BBC Scotland’s most popular podcasts and we are excited by the prospect of taking its success on to a dedicated podcast platform.”
Eamonn O’Neill added: “I love new challenges and innovative journalism in all forms. The chance to join The Big Light network team was irresistible. Being able to re-invent and build a new format for a massively popular slot, and then hatch amazing plans to take it in a multitude of different directions was what sealed the deal. I can’t wait to get started!”
Co-founder, Fiona White, said: “We are delighted to be able to bring such high quality media debate to wider audiences, especially to listeners overseas, with an entirely new show that carries forward the strengths of the past, but broadens the definition of media and takes risks that were constrained by BBC guidelines.”
The Big Light network will feature a high-quality mix of compelling podcast series across a wide range of genres – from comedy to crime, culture to scripted fiction, music, documentaries, business, news analysis and more.
All the content is made in, and inspired by, Scotland, instantly connecting listeners to the very best of contemporary Scottish culture as part of an emotionally engaged global community.
The network soft-launched last year with the critically-acclaimed health and mental wellbeing podcast series, ‘Brave Your Day’.
As well as ‘Talk Media’, further new series will be launched across the network in the coming weeks including: ‘Unspeakable Scotland’ (true life historic crime stories); ‘The Tartan Noir Show’ (weekly preview/review and chat celebrating Scottish crime fiction); ‘Dear Green Place’ (a year in the life of the Prince and Prince of Wales hospice); ‘Great Scot!’ (interview series with world renowned Scots) and ‘Double Scotch’ (an entertaining weekly whisky podcast).
Janice Forsyth said: “Our mission for The Big Light network is to connect a global audience with the very best audio on-demand content that Scotland has to offer. As podcasting continues to show explosive year-on-year growth around the world, by creating a new platform for Scottish culture, stories and voices, the timing couldn’t be better to launch into the market with a unique product that offers a quality alternative to what’s currently available from the US or elsewhere in the UK.”
For further information, interviews and photographs contact: Wendy Niblock PR | m: 07961 814834 | e: wendyjniblock@btinternet.com
Notes for editors:
- ‘The Media Review’ was a weekly insert into BBC Scotland’s John Beattie Show.
- The show was placed on notice in November 2019, that due to changes to BBC Scotland’s schedules, it would no longer run. The final show on BBC Scotland was broadcast on Thursday 13 February and the new podcast will launch on Thursday 20 February.
- An exciting new media venture with ambitions to scale internationally, The Big Light, is recognised as Scotland’s first podcast network. Featuring a rich mix of entertaining shows across a wide variety of genres – from comedy to crime, culture to scripted fiction, music, documentaries, business, news analysis and more – all of The Big Light’s content is made in, and inspired by, Scotland, instantly connecting listeners to the very best of contemporary Scottish culture as part of an emotionally engaged global community.
- Founders, Fiona White and Janice Forsyth, respected media professionals with decades of experience in TV, radio production and presentation, and a vast network of contacts across Scottish public life, are in an unique position to make The Big Light and Stream Scotland a scalable success.
Website: thebiglight.com
Twitter: @thebiglight_
Instagram: @thebiglight_
LinkedIn: @the-big-light
ENDS
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Wendy Niblock on behalf of The Big Life contact details…
Contact: Wendy Niblock
Phone: 07961814834
Email: wendyjniblock@btinternet.com
Website: http://www.thebiglight.com
