The power of audio: Reflections on the Radio Academy Festival

On September 17, 2025, I had the pleasure of attending the Radio Academy Festival: World of Sound. Held in the splendid Royal College of Physicians in Regent’s Park, it felt apt to discuss the future of sound in such a hallowed hall of learning. The affection for this legacy medium was palpable, and I felt truly humbled to be there, not just as an observer, but as a contributor, sharing MIDiA’s perspective on the success of online radio.

But beyond my own slot, the day offered a rich tapestry of insights. So, I felt it would be a good idea to share my own reflections from a day celebrating all things audio.

Black Voices Matter: The Radio Academy Festival’s most impactful session

The morning kicked off with a session that, for me and I suspect many others, was the most impactful of the day: ‘Black Voices Matter’ with Tony Phillips and Axel Kacoutié. This wasn’t just a talk; it was a masterclass in the raw, emotional power of audio. Phillips spoke with compelling clarity about why it’s never been more critical to hear Black voices across all areas of the industry, ensuring the right people are telling their own stories, especially in times of imposed division.

The session’s close was deeply poignant. Phillips chose to recite the name of an up-and-coming Black audio creative for every time George Floyd said he couldn’t breathe. The sheer number was staggering enough, but the method of delivery, in a room so silent you could hear a pin drop, was utterly devastating. I don’t think I was the only one moved to tears. It was a stark, necessary reminder of audio’s power not just to entertain, but to bear witness and catalyse change.

Louis Theroux, the Prison Radio Association, and audio as a force for good

The theme of audio as a force for good resonated elsewhere. The session with Louis Theroux and Phil Maguire on the Prison Radio Association was fascinating. What struck me most was the atmosphere in the room; any sense of ‘celebrity spotting’ was entirely eclipsed by a genuine, captivated interest in the PRA’s work. It was a testament to how audio can build bridges and foster understanding in the most unlikely of places, a true public service in action.

Throughout the day, other sessions sketched out the contours of our modern audio landscape. The discussion ‘Is the Audio-Only Podcast Dead?’, felt particularly timely, I was pleased to see people in the industry still fighting for audio only podcasts. Meanwhile, panels on Goalhanger and the 75th anniversary of The Archers celebrated both the new commercial powerhouses and the incredible longevity of audio drama. The common thread was an industry confidently exploring its own boundaries.

The Radio Academy becomes the Audio Academy

As the day closed, it was revealed that from January 2026, the Radio Academy will be known as the Audio Academy.

Some will see this as contentious, a step away from a cherished heritage. But to my mind, it makes perfect sense. This is not about a loss of faith in radio. Far from it. It is a recognition that creators, listeners, and industry stakeholders increasingly operate across a spectrum of audio formats.

As I noted after the ARIAs early this year, audio formats are pulled together by far more than what divides them, so why don’t we all just get along?The new Audio Academy reflects this reality by embracing a broader, more inclusive vision of audio.

Rather than signalling the end of an era, this rebrand marks the start of a new one, where radio, podcasts, and on-demand coexist as part of a converged audio landscape. The challenge now is execution: turning this ambition into a framework that supports innovation, grows audiences, and ensures that audio, in all its forms, thrives in 2026 and beyond.