LOS ANGELES (CelebrityAccess) BBC Studios is making a move into podcasting and is expected to launch an eight-part series on Spotify, narrated by Chuck D, called “Stay Free: The Story of The Clash.”
The series will launch Feb. 23 and will follow the rise and fall of one of the most legendary punk bands of the era in 30- to 45-minute increments, according to Deadline Hollywood. The announcement follows Spotify’s multi million-dollar deal with Gimlet Media, home to popular podcasts like “Crimetown” and “Homecoming.” Up until now, BBC Studios has been associated with popular music broadcasts like “Later With … Jools Holland” and, recently, the documentary “David Bowie: Finding Fame” and short-form formats like “Big Sarstie’s Let’s Settle This.”
“It’s an honor heading up this new podcast Stay Free: The Story of The Clash,” Chuck D said. “I was and am a big fan of their music. We were always tackling very similar social and political issues.”
Spotify Founder Daniel Ek recently wrote in a blog post, “With the world focused on trying to reduce screen time, it opens up a massive audio opportunity… There are endless ways to tell stories that serve to entertain, to educate, to challenge, to inspire or to bring us together and break down cultural barriers. The format is really evolving and while podcasting is still a relatively small business today, I see incredible growth potential for the space and for Spotify in particular.”
