AFTER successfully attracting many listeners and viewers to their fledgling podcast, 'Keluar Sekejap', former Umno leaders Khairy Jamaluddin and Shahril Hamdan have taken the initiative to organise Malaysia's first podcast festival.
Dubbed KL PodFest 2024, the inaugural edition is a collaboration with Media Prima and will be held over two days at the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC) on Feb 3 and 4.
Khairy, who is fondly known as KJ, said the new festival would feature a selection of the best podcasts from Malaysia and Singapore.
"Podcasting has grown to become a dynamic marketplace of ideas and now, the podcast medium has solidified its position in the broadcasting industry.
"Media Prima as our partner will help to amplify this event through its various platforms and provide a wider awareness to the public, which includes those who have yet to consume content in this manner," said KJ during a press conference for the event at PJPAC.
KL PodFest 2024 aims to be a platform for creators to showcase the perspectives, stories and unique talents of podcasters.
Such events could also nurture creativity, foster cross-cultural dialogue and create economic opportunities, while attracting international participants and audiences.
During the maiden festival, more than 20 sessions will be presented — from live recording sessions and workshops, to a large variety of activities with fans and podcast listeners, as well as opportunities for newbies to host their own audio broadcasts.
KJ hoped the event would bridge the gap between podcasters and listeners.
"It will span a wide variety of genres as we want to welcome all topics, from current affairs, lifestyle and sports to many more out there," he said.
Present during the press conference was Media Prima Audio chief executive officer Nazri Noran, who believes that the podcast medium is beneficial to the development of the world of radio broadcasting as a whole.
"We have ventured into the realm of podcasting via the Audio+ platform and the website includes more than 148 titles, covering multiple languages and topics, which reflects our commitment to this growing medium.
"Podcasts are also not a new thing in the world of radio broadcasting and we can see how these two things are interconnected. Radio and podcasts are said to be brothers.
"We see that podcasts have the potential to grow, and more people want to listen to them.
"So, we believe that KL PodFest 2024 is not just an event but an important shift in the journey of the broadcasting world," he said.
Tickets to KL PodFest 2024, priced at RM30 for a day pass, RM50 (weekend) and RM60 (special weekend pass, which guarantees a seat at a headlining podcast), can be purchased from https://onetix.com.my.
The podcasts that will be featured during the festival include Tiber, Malam Seram, Financial Faiz, OKLETSGO, Mr Money TV, SneakerLAH, Mamak Sessions by Jinnyboy, The Amin Idris Show, TTYL, Head Over Heels, Balls Deep, The Takeaway, Table Talk, Ajar, Sana Sini and Keluar Sekejap.
The complete lineup and full schedule will be announced on Jan 15.
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