Audiences at the heart of Audio Academy Festival 2026

Audiences at the heart of Audio Academy Festival 2026

The Audio Academy is proud to put listeners centre stage at this year’s Audio Academy Festival on Thursday, October 1st, at the uniquely inspiring Royal College of Physicians in Regent’s Park, London. 

The UK’s most successful broadcasters, business leaders and technological innovators will share the secrets of their outstanding ability to connect with audiences, while  immersive sonic experiences and practical sessions will show why it’s natural for us to put audio first.  

Highlights at the Festival will include: 

• BBC Radio 1’s Greg James on sharing a tandem bike with HRH Prince William and winning Gold at the 2026 ARIAS for his Breakfast show
• Simon Myciunka President of Audio at Bauer Media Group and CEO of Bauer Media Audio UK in conversation with Steve Jones, CEO of Stingray Radio, Canada on the future of commercial radio
• Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty on her ARIAS gold-winning BBC Sounds podcast ‘Fame Under Fire’
• Broadcaster, DJ and Producer Nerm on the future of AI in music from The Beatles to the Dancefloor 
• Hits Radio’s Victoria Glover on her shocking true story which turned into an ARIAS gold-winning podcast  ‘My Stalker Moved in Next Door’ 
• Beano Brain on meeting Gen Alpha: Why Audio Matters and How to Win Their Attention 
• Content Director of Hits Radio Paul Gerrard on winning UK Station of the Year at the 2026 ARIAS. 

Stages, sessions and experiences include: 

• Cutting-edge acoustic art in the Dolby Library and immersive sonic experiences
• Individual 1:1 career conversations for delegates with top industry experts from Audio Always, Audible, Bauer, Bengo Media, BBC, Biscuit Jim, Seasalt and Mango, Soundtruism, Spotify, The PMG, Times Radio, Tortoise, Unedited and many more. 

Plus, the Festival will honour the memory of those we’ve lost from the world of audio this year, announce the new Fellows of the Audio Academy and culminate in our legendary after-party, courtesy of PPL and PRS For Music.

Visit the Audio Academy’s website and social channels for more exciting announcements to come in the coming weeks.

Whether you’re a podcaster, broadcaster, radio producer, sound designer, technician, academic or content creator, this is your chance to learn, connect and be inspired by the very best in audio.  

Audio Academy MD Aradhna Tayal Leach says:

The Audio Academy Festival is a rare opportunity to come together for deeper dives and discussions exploring the future of the global audio landscape. There is space to build meaningful connections, moving beyond competitive boundaries and sales tactics, whether that’s meeting a Content Director or Commissioner, or discovering new talent and innovation. Expect a day of sharing, networking and huge celebrations of our world-leading audio.

Audio Academy Festival Executive Producer Chris North adds:

This year, we're putting audio first. In a world full of distraction, there's something uniquely powerful about the way sound informs, entertains, challenges and connects us. Every conversation, every session and every experience at this year's Festival has been curated through that lens. Whether it's hearing directly from the creators behind award-winning radio and audio content, exploring the latest technologies, experiencing immersive storytelling in the Dolby Library or making those invaluable career-defining connections, this is a day designed to inspire everyone who believes in the power of audio. 

The Festival’s Creative Director Dixi Stewart says:

It’s always a joy to share our passion for radio, music, podcasts and audio in all its fabulous forms with friends across the industry. This year’s Festival is proud to put audio first and audiences centre stage, celebrating the creativity, innovation and craftsmanship behind the outstanding content that enriches our lives every hour of every day. I’m enormously grateful to our generous sponsors Arqiva, Audible, BBC Sounds, Broadcast Bionics, PPL and PRS for Music, RCS and Xperi for their support in recognising the brilliant people who dedicate their time and talents to the broadcasts, podcasts, streaming, immersive experiences and groundbreaking technologies which are shaping the future of audio.