Global Media & Entertainment group has announced that Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel will be joining in an exclusive deal.
The journalists will be hosting a major new podcast for Global Player, as well as co-hosting a show together on LBC.
Both Maitlis and Sopel are leaving the BBC to join Global.
At the BBC Maitlis hosted Newsnight and Sopel was the North America Editor. They both also hosted the Americast podcast which explored US politics.
Global recently signed Andrew Marr, having left the BBC to host a new LBC show which is set to be announced soon.
Some work news: @maitlis and I are going to launch a brand, spanking new podcast with @global. We’re excited to be working with them on this innovative project. Opportunities like this just don’t come along very often. But am sad to leave the BBC which has been home for so long. pic.twitter.com/P1y9UZYUyp
— Jon Sopel (@jonsopel) February 22, 2022
As part of the deal, Dino Sofos, the founder of audio production company Persephonica, also joins Global as the podcast’s executive producer. Sofos is the former head of BBC News Podcasts and created Brexitcast, Newscast and Americast formats.
Maitlis said she was “delighted” about the move.
Nevertheless, it will be a wrench to leave the BBC after 20 phenomenal years. I am so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had there. More than anything I’m grateful to have worked with the most incredible people - many of whom are dear friends. I owe my BBC colleagues everything.
— emily m (@maitlis) February 22, 2022
“We are just so delighted to be launching this brand new podcast – which will build on everything we’ve achieved with Americast over the last few years – and it will find new audiences and a new home with Global. I couldn’t be more excited,” she said.
Sopel shared similar sentiments, saying: “I’m delighted to be joining Global with my great friend and colleague, Emily Maitlis. We’ve been blown away by the reception for Americast, and are so excited that Global has given us the opportunity to build on this success by creating this innovative news podcast. This is an unmissable opportunity.”
Full details of Emily Maitlis’ and Jon Sopel’s daily podcast will be announced later in the year.
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