Factual

Leading independent distributor All3Media International has announced it will launch its first podcast, based on the best-selling global favourite Midsomer Murders.

Currently in post-production on its 24th season, Midsomer Murders is active in nearly 200 territories; it’s a prime-time top-rating hit in many regions with multiple broadcasters in countries including Germany, USA, France, Sweden and Denmark, Australia, Latvia – and Japan. The show also has its own single IP FAST channel across North America that generates tens of millions of minutes viewing every week across multiple platforms.

In a deal negotiated by All3Media International’s EVP Strategic Development, Gary Woolf, this audio series is produced by podcast and video studio StoryHunter and distributed by Audioboom. The podcast will also be available on the Midsomer Murders official YouTube page operated for All3Media International by Little Dot Studios – which is also a new home for long form episodes in North America.

The twenty episode podcast series – Midsomer Murders Mayhem - delves into the history of the show whilst discussing the eternal question of how such a quaint county in England can be host to so many murderers and such a staggering death toll. Hosted by Nicki Chapman (Current host of BBC Radio 2’s Sunday Love Songs, and the face of BBC One’s Chelsea Flower Show coverage and Escape To The Country) with insights from the cast, each episode of the podcast focuses on a single episode of the television series. Special guest Scottish comedian Ashley Storrie (Dinosaur) features alongside Nicki Chapman as a regular guest and host of the superfan quiz, while the series’ guests include professional detectives, pathologists and crime-scene experts who will share their insights and opinions into the eternal appeal of the attractive, yet surprisingly lethal drama, which has seen cheese and washing machines used as murders weapons.

The podcast will launch on 28th March 2024 globally with the feed available to all advertising supported podcast platforms.

It joins a recent slate of new opportunities for Midsomer Murders which in addition to the North American FAST Channel includes ancillary launches such as an interactive novel – “Could You Survive Midsomer? Can You Avoid a Bizarre Death in England's Most Dangerous County??” released by Octopus Books and a casual gaming app “Midsomer Murders: Mysteries” released by Qiiwi Interactive.

Rachel Glaister, EVP Brands at All3Media International noted; “The eccentricities of Midsomer Murders and its hero Inspector Barnaby continue to captivate and amuse audiences around the world. That global fanbase is keen to engage with all revelations about the show and we are confident they’ll appreciate this new podcast – Midsomer Murders Mayhem.”

“It has been a privilege to collaborate with All3Media International on Midsomer Murders Mayhem and to work with Nicki Chapman. Podcasting is the ideal medium for the legions of Midsomer fans around the world to revisit their favourite episodes” Kirsty Hunter, Managing Director of StoryHunter

The TV series, Midsomer Murders is produced by Bentley Productions, with ITV as the UK broadcast partner. It is based on Caroline Graham's Chief Inspector Barnaby book series. Midsomer Murders Mayhem is a StoryHunter production for All3Media International.