Star-Studded Lineup Announced for SXSW London Podcasting Track
Crossed Wires podcast festival has partnered with SXSW London to co-curate the 2026 Podcasting Track, bringing together some of the UK’s biggest podcast hosts, producers, and industry leaders. The collaboration, as shown in the promotional image above, represents a significant milestone for podcasting’s presence at the internationally renowned festival.
Two major new sessions have been added to the already impressive lineup. “Beyond Podcasting: Building Shows People Belong To” will feature Miquita Oliver (co-host of Miss Me?), Jamie Laing (founder of Jampot Productions), Dino Sofos (co-founder of Crossed Wires and CEO of Persephonica), and Craig Strachan (CEO of Jampot Productions).
The second new addition, “Crossed Wires: The Live Podcasting Boom,” will explore the growing trend of live podcast performances with Danny Robins (host of Uncanny), Alice Levine (co-founder of Crossed Wires), Dino Sofos, and Jonny Kanagasoorium (managing editor of Podcast Strategy & Video at BBC Sounds).
Comprehensive Day-Long Programming
The full SXSW 2026 Podcasting Track will take place on Wednesday, June 3rd from 10am to 5:10pm at Christ Church Spitalfields (The Nave). Alice Levine, co-founder of Crossed Wires, will host the event, which features sessions from comedy duo Elis James and John Robins, rugby player Joe Marler, content creator GK Barry, and Sugababes’ Keisha Buchanon, among others.
Key sessions include “The Podcasting Blueprint: 10 Years of Laughter and Loyalty” with Elis James and John Robins, “How To Build a World Around a Podcast” featuring Joe Marler, and “Launch a Pod in 30 Days” with industry executives from Flight Story, Acast, and Platform Media.
Industry Leadership Appointment
Crossed Wires has also announced the appointment of Ian Bushell as Managing Director, signaling ambitious growth plans for the festival. Bushell brings over 25 years of experience in live entertainment and experiential marketing, having worked with major brands including Ministry of Sound, Universal Music, Nokia, and Formula 1. His track record includes delivering landmark events such as Ministry of Sound’s 55,000-capacity Millennium Dome New Year’s Eve celebration and co-creating Nokia’s global New Year’s Eve platform.
Festival Growth and BBC Partnership
Crossed Wires continues to expand its reach as the world’s largest podcasting festival. The 2024 and 2025 editions attracted over 45,000 festival-goers to Sheffield, featuring major names like Help I Sexted My Boss, The Adam Buxton Show, and Katherine Ryan. The festival is partnering with BBC Sounds for a second consecutive year, offering free Fringe shows with programming to be announced on June 2nd.
“We started Crossed Wires because we felt podcasting deserved to get out of people’s headphones and into venues and cities full of fans,” said Dino Sofos, co-founder of Crossed Wires and CEO of Persephonica. “To now be partnering with SXSW London on its podcast track is hugely exciting. SXSW has always been where big conversations about media, entertainment and culture happen, so it’s brilliant to see podcasting becoming such a big part of that world too.”
The 2026 festival, taking place July 2-5 in Sheffield, will showcase established shows like Dig It with Jo Whiley & Zoe Ball, Uncanny Cold Cases with Danny Robins, and How to Fail with Elizabeth Day, demonstrating the continued evolution of podcasting as a live entertainment medium.
Source: Podwires Newsletter
