Fremantle Establishes Scripted Podcast Label

Fremantle is launching a new scripted podcast label, Storyglass, created as a partnership between the company’s Shotglass label in the U.K. and the global drama division.

Storyglass will commission and develop original scripted ideas from a range of storytellers from around the world. To oversee the move into scripted audio, Storyglass has hired Robert Delamere as creative director. In this new role, Delamere will head up the label and lead the creation of original, scripted IP in the podcasting space.

There are two projects already in the works: Baby, It’s Cold Outside, which puts the audience in the mind of an ordinary man struggling with homelessness who is trying to have a special day with his son while keeping secret the tragedy of his circumstances, and Director’s Cut (working title), a dark comedy podcast that wraps a murder mystery in a warped cinematic nightmare. From award-winning writer Regina Moriarty, Baby, It’s Cold Outside is developed by Duck Soup Films, which Fremantle has a minority stake in, and in association with the homeless charity Crisis. Director’s Cut is by Kill the Beast.

Sarah Doole, director of global drama at Fremantle, said: “We have built a reputation for delivering compelling, high-end drama around the world. Through that process, we have discovered so many wonderful stories waiting to be told. The opportunity to work with fresh talent in an entirely new field is truly exciting for us and I’m thrilled Robert is joining us to provide the creative driving force for this new journey.”

Delamere said: “Podcasting is a great space to develop and test new ideas with audiences, and the market is wide open for imagination-grabbing drama series. Fremantle, with its storytelling expertise, is in a unique position to attract groundbreaking talent and deliver great content to global audiences. So, we are delighted to launch the label with new series from the joyful and anarchic Kill the Beast and a raw and uncompromising work from celebrated screenwriter Regina Moriarty.”

Zimena Percival, artist liaison and creative partnerships at Crisis, said: “Crisis is delighted to be working with this brilliant new platform, shining a light on homelessness in Britain at a critical time. Reaching and engaging with new audiences and helping them understand the real human impact of this issue is the first step in ending homelessness.”