London – Thursday 10 April 2025 – Platform Media has created the UK’s leading content supergroup through a merger with Listen Entertainment and Goldhawk Productions. With combined revenues deep into eight figures and over 70% growth in the past year, Platform Media brings together market leaders in video podcasting, immersive audio storytelling, branded entertainment and social amplification to offer a one-stop shop of best-in-class production, media, marketing and monetisation, all under one roof.

Having worked together under parent company PodX for nine months, Josh Adley, Managing Director of Listen, and Matthew Sherry, CEO of Platform Media, will step in as co-CEOs, driving the company’s next phase of expansion.

Matthew Sherry and Josh Adley, co-CEOs of Platform Media

At the heart of Platform Media’s success is a 360° approach that has transformed the commercial ceiling of podcasts. The company’s collection of services has turned hit shows into digital brands that generate seven figures each year, with one alone hitting £3 million.

Platform Media is kicking off this new era with a blockbuster lineup of originals in sport and entertainment this autumn. Recent hit launches from the supergroup include Olivia Attwood’s So Wrong It’s Right, BBC’s The Traitors: Uncloaked, The Good, The Bad, and The Rugby with Mike Tindall, James Haskell and Alex Payne, Central Intelligence with Kim Cattrall and Ed Harris, Child with India Rakusen, and Making A Scene with David Walliams and Matt Lucas.

“There are seismic shifts happening in the podcast industry right now,” said Matthew Sherry. “We’ve pioneered a unique monetisation model that is leading the industry forward. This merger is the natural next step, and we’re ready to make a lasting impact.”

Josh Adley added: “Matthew and I have been trying to find ways to work more closely for years, underpinned by independently having the same vision for the future of the podcast industry.”

While Platform Media will act as the central hub for branded entertainment, marketing, and monetisation, its three content labels will focus on original content creation. Listen will continue to lead in entertainment, pioneering visualised podcasts that bridge TV, SVOD, and audio, with major successes such as The Traitors: Uncloaked and Disney’s Rivals: The Official Podcast. Folding Pocket is setting the agenda in sports content, producing The Good, The Bad & The Rugby and the new football-meets-food series Scran Away in partnership with Only Scrans. Goldhawk, a multi-award-winning leader in fiction and factual audio storytelling, continues to work with major A-list talent and inspire TV adaptations

Now an 80-strong team based in brand-new offices in Farringdon, London, Platform Media continues to push the boundaries of content creation.

For more information please contact: emma.williams@platformmedia.uk

Platform Media, the next-generation media company, has today announced its majority acquisition of The Good, The Bad & The Rugby, the world’s biggest rugby show.

Launched in 2020 by England legends Mike Tindall and James Haskell alongside veteran presenter Alex Payne, The Good, The Bad & The Rugby spans audio, video and social and is widely recognised as the most vibrant media brand in rugby. The chart-topping podcast is now in its fifth season, with digital and social channels boasting almost one million followers.

The show has been on the road across the UK and Ireland for several theatre tours and launched numerous spinoffs, including a new book, regional titles in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, a paid subscriber-only show, and a format dedicated to women’s rugby starring England’s all-time record scorer Emily Scarratt, England scrum-half Natasha ‘Mo’ Hunt and renowned broadcaster Elma Smit.

The team at Platform Media have produced and commercialised the show since its inception. The Good, The Bad & The Rugby is trusted by the world’s biggest brands, broadcasters and rights holders, with clients including Continental, Vodafone, British Airways, Allianz, Domino’s, Honda, Prime Video, Red Bull, World Rugby, the RFU and many more.

The acquisition is Platform Media’s first under the banner of global podcast group PodX. PodX Group purchased a majority stake in Platform Media in May 2024, in an eight-figure deal marking the UK podcast sector’s most significant M&A activity to date.

Platform Media will continue to grow the show alongside Mike, James and Alex, as well as exploring areas for the brand including expansion into new sports.

Co-founded in 2021 by Matthew Sherry, Matt Sayward and Rick Ankers, Platform Media creates, distributes and monetises unmissable sports and entertainment podcasts and digital formats. Platform Media’s clients include Amazon Music, Audible, BBC, Domino’s, EFL, NFL, Paramount, Red Bull, Simply Be, Spotify, Vodafone and William Hill.

Alongside The Good, The Bad & The Rugby, Platform Media’s sports slate include Football’s Greatest Eras with Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, Up Front with Simon Jordan, You’ll Never Beat Kyle Walker and My Mate’s A Footballer with Patrick Bamford and Joe Wilkinson for BBC Sounds, The Fast & The Curious with Greg James and The Chipping Forecast with Eddie Pepperell.

Rick Ankers, Executive Director, Platform Media, said:

“I couldn’t be more excited to be bringing these two wonderful businesses closer together. The Good, The Bad & The Rugby is a winning format through and through. Mike, James and Alex are great storytellers and entertainers; they’re opinionated and insightful, and share a real camaraderie and chemistry. The show totally transcends the sport, which is testament to their character and star power. We’re so excited to be working with them to take the show and the format to new heights.”

Mike Tindall, James Haskell and Alex Payne, The Good, The Bad & The Rugby co-hosts said:

“We are absolutely thrilled to be strengthening our partnership with Platform Media, having worked with their team since the inception of the show almost five years ago. From day one, they have understood our vision for The Good, The Bad & The Rugby and been instrumental in growing it into the global media brand it is today. 

“With the backing of Platform Media and the PodX Group, we’ll reach even greater heights, expand into new territories and continue delivering top-notch rugby content to our dedicated audience around the world.

“With a Lions Tour, Six Nations and Women’s World Cup ahead, 2025 promises to be our biggest year ever — exciting times are ahead.”

Patrick Svensk, CEO, PodX Group, said:

“With Platform Media’s support, I am convinced that The Good, The Bad & The Rugby team will take the show to another level, with the next step being the launch of bold, fresh shows in exciting new areas.”

BBC Studios Audio and Folding Pocket announce two new spinoffs of hit show Football’s Greatest starring Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Paul Merson and Jeff Stelling.

Great teams are built on great partnerships, which is why Platform Media’s original podcast label Folding Pocket and BBC Studios Audio are teaming up for a dynamic summer with two spin-off series from Football’s Greatest podcast.

Football’s Greatest: Euros is an adaptation of Jeff Stelling’s hugely popular Football’s Greatest series, which unapologetically turns its attention towards the Euros for the next six weeks.

Jeff is joined in the studio by his good friend and England and Arsenal legend Paul Merson to follow England and Scotland’s fortunes (or failures) in Germany, and to relive some of unforgettable moments from tournaments past.

The ten-part series starts on 12th June and brings audiences the same blend of nostalgia, knowledge and colourful observations that are the hallmark of the Football’s Greatest series.

On the launch of the new format, Jeff Stelling says: “The Euros never fails to capture the imagination, so I can’t wait to be back in the studio with my old mate, Merse.”

“I have known him for more than two decades, so I know exactly which buttons to press to get him going. We’ll be reacting to all the action but at the same time reminding ourselves of what makes the Euros such a brilliant tournament by remembering some of the greatest moments from the past.” 

“And who knows, along the way we might see some familiar faces who I have interviewed so far on the series.”

As a preview to the tournament, episode one features Merse’s five magic Euros moments.

Paul Merson added: “I won’t give them all away here, but Gazza’s Euro ’96 goal at Wembley is up there – sorry, Scotland! and Marco van Basten’s amazing volley in the final of Euro ‘88 for the Netherlands against the Soviet Union – so they will take some beating.”

“This is going to be a lot of fun. I love working with Jeff, so we’re just going to have a bit of a laugh, get the audience involved and keep the good energy coming for the duration of the tournament.”    

Launching on 23rd July, Football’s Greatest: Eras sees another two icons of the game, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, team up to take audiences deep inside one of the most iconic periods in British football.

The Manchester United duo and long-time friends pick up the Football’s Greatest baton for this inaugural limited series, which peels back the curtain on periods of the modern game. So, where else to start but at the Theatre of Dreams and life under Sir Alex Ferguson.

From the Class of ’92, to intimate portrayals of big characters such as Cantona, Ince and Keane, not to mention the infamous ’99 season and the dynasty that followed, this ten-part series brings audiences the unfiltered, no-nonsense view of two members of the golden generation.

Paul Scholes says: “There is so much that people still don’t know about the characters and day-to-day of life at United from back then. The aim of this series is to take people inside that environment a bit more.

“Once Nicky and I knew we were doing this, you obviously start thinking back to your playing days – and that has been interesting in itself. 

“There are so many of those moments where you go, ‘Oh, yeah, I forgot about that,’ so we have written them all down.”

Nicky Butt said, “That’s what we want to bring to this series – our perspective, and a load of the stuff people might not know. We want to tell people what it was really like, because it wasn’t all perfect”. 

“We certainly weren’t the loudest voices in some of those United changing rooms – that wasn’t really our style – but we were probably two of the more direct personalities in there, so we won’t be holding anything back.”

Available to watch on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts from:

Football’s Greatest: Euros – starts on Friday 14 June (10x30mins)
Football’s Greatest: Eras – starts on Tuesday 23 July (8x30mins)

London, UK – Monday 20th May 2024

Platform Media, the UK’s next-generation media company, has today announced its majority acquisition by global podcast group PodX. This is the largest acquisition the Stockholm-based company has made to date. It is also set to be the UK podcast market’s most significant deal ever by the time it completes in full, with the initial valuation surpassing eight figures.

Founded in 2021 by Matthew Sherry and Matt Sayward in conjunction with the 21six Group, Platform Media delivers production, distribution and monetisation all under one roof.

Its original content label Folding Pocket has produced some of the UK’s biggest podcasts, including The Good, The Bad & The Rugby; Football’s Greatest with Jeff Stelling; The Fast & The Curious; Ami Charlize’s Private Story; The 3AM Club with Caitlin and Leah; My Mate’s A Footballer with Patrick Bamford and Joe Wilkinson for BBC Sounds and Amazon’s Three Little Words starring John Bishop.

Creating podcasts that thrive on every digital platform – audio, video, social and beyond – Platform Media has delivered award-winning content for the world’s biggest brands, broadcasters, rights holders and talent. It has worked with Amazon Music, Audible, BBC, Domino’s, EFL, NFL, Paramount, Red Bull, Simply Be, Spotify, Vodafone and William Hill.

The team helps transform brands into true broadcasters that connect with audiences through 360° multi-channel entertainment strategies. Successes in this space have included Up Front with Simon Jordan, created for William Hill. One of the UK’s most successful branded podcasts, Up Front reached Number 1 in the charts with tens of millions of views, gained over 100K YouTube subscribers in just seven months and recently launched a new spin-off weekly show.

Despite a challenging market environment, Platform Media’s non-traditional podcast model has ensured the company’s revenue will grow to surpass eight figures this year.
Its impressive commercial strategy and multi-channel approach will help bolster PodX’s existing global network of podcast companies across the UK, France, Nordics and Latin America, while this acquisition will enable Platform Media to expand to new international markets.

With over 50 members of staff and its own state-of-the-art studio in London, Platform Media will continue to be led by co-founders CEO Matthew Sherry, CSO Matt Sayward and executive director Rick Ankers. The team is also bolstered by the permanent addition of former Somethin’ Else COO Paul Burdin. Burdin, who joins in the newly created role of Chief Profit Officer, has played a critical part in the M&A process as a consultant.

Matthew Sherry, Platform Media CEO, says:

“From the moment we met PodX, something has just felt right. Our two businesses have many shared ambitions, mutual philosophies and an overarching entrepreneurial spirit. PodX believes in the unique vision and business model that underpins Platform Media, and we believe that PodX is right that companies like ours can enjoy huge benefits and economies of scale through consolidation and shared infrastructure.”

Matt Sayward, Platform Media CSO, says:

“This company shows its true potential best when it takes big swings; whether that’s through launching brand-new shows with global talent, transforming the way leading brands engage with media, acquiring and levelling up existing IP, or expanding into new areas and territories. As we look to the future and our objectives for growth, we know that PodX are the partners we’ve been looking for that can unlock our ability to take even more big swings.”

Rick Ankers, Platform Media Executive Director and 21six Group CEO, says:

“We developed this business through some of the most difficult times of our generation. The reason for its success has been our absolute focus on the human element of business. Personally, I have only ever been interested in working with good people and now, in PodX, we have found partners who are just that.”

Staffan Rosell, CEO and Member of the Board, PodX Group, says:

“Adding Platform Media to the PodX Group is a significant step in building a leading global group within audio entertainment and beyond. Platform Media, with its status-quo-challenging approach, is one of the most exciting companies out there. They have truly pushed the boundaries for what it means to be a modern podcast company, and we see great potential to help scale the business in the UK and beyond. This acquisition further strengthens our position in the United Kingdom, and the English language market overall. We are acquiring a business with outstanding management at the highest level and a first-class track record. We wish Matthew, Matt, Rick, Paul and the rest of the team at Platform Media a very warm welcome.”

The first episode of LDN to NFL, a brand-new podcast hosted by Michael ‘Mac’ Griffiths and Christian Scotland-Williamson, is out now.

Produced by Platform Media for the NFL, the show is aimed 16-25-year-olds. Stats and deep-level analysis are put to one side, as former Love Island contestant and personal trainer Griffiths, and former rugby union and NFL pro CSW will be joined by influencers from sport, gaming and beyond in a celebration of gridiron’s unique and uniquely engaging culture.

Troy Deeney is the guest for episode 1. The English footballer discusses how he came to be a fan of the  ‘other’ football and – in what will be a regular slot on the show – takes on Mac in a game of NFL Madden. The show is available to watch now on NFL UK’s YouTube channel.

Platform Media has also taken over the production of another official NFL show, The Jason & Osi Podcast, adapting the existing format for the 2023 season. London-based hosts, former NFL players Jason Bell and Osi Umenyiora, are well-known to UK fans for their punditry work since retirement. This new partnership extends Platform Media’s association with the NFL following a pre-season content distribution campaign for the New York Jets last month. The latest episode, the first produced by Platform Media, can be listened to here or wherever you get your podcasts.

Commenting on the partnership, Taylor Barr, Commercial Strategy Lead at Platform Media, said: “We’re delighted to be working with the NFL at such an exciting time for the sport in the UK. The NFL’s ongoing commitment to growing the game perfectly aligns with Platform Media’s expertise in producing innovative, authentic content that enables brands, rights holders and governing bodies to reach and engage new audiences.”

Get in touch to find out what Platform Media can do for you and your content