Nick Efstathiou, the Chief Executive Officer of the Central Media Group (CMG) under which OFM falls, says “it seems the belief is that experts, celebrities and influencers are the only people who can have podcasts. I don’t agree with that, anyone who wants to be heard should be given the opportunity to publish and OFM is going to open those doors" he says.

Access at a fee 

The Central South African Commercial Radio Station has ample studios, engineers, audio production capacity and platforms to allow any person to record and publish exciting podcasts from the beginning of April 2023. For an affordable rate, prospective podcasters will have access to these production facilities, personnel and platforms, to reach a bigger audience.

“There are many bedroom podcasters. OFM will move them into the mainstream, offering them greater audiences,” Efstathiou adds.

Why should you take advantage of this opportunity? 

The CMG CEO says 25% of South Africans listen to a podcast every day. That number goes up to 35% when you look at the number of individuals who listen to podcasts monthly (every couple of days or so).

Furthermore, PwC’s Media Outlook reveals that the South African podcast market is forecast to have up to 19 million monthly listeners by 2024, while the podcast advertising revenue segment is estimated to be worth R302 million by the end of 2023, as digital media increasingly influences how the audience consumes content.

ALSO READ: OFM Business Hour: Podcasting a key marketing tool for businesses

Efstathiou echoes this and adds that podcasters in the country are able to earn between R20 000 and R80 000. Bear in mind, that at this stage only a fraction of South African podcasts is sponsored. 

To gain access to the OFM School of Podcasting, email podcasting@ofm.co.za.

Why OFM

OFM, the Sound of Your Life, is Central South Africa’s premier commercial radio station, offering a mix of music, news, and entertainment. The station celebrated 35 years in the broadcasting industry in 2021. OFM is part of the Central Media Group, with its head office in Bloemfontein, and a satellite studio in Welkom.

The station serves the affluent SEM 7-10 economically active marketplace with a broadcast footprint across the Free State, Northern Cape, southern Gauteng and North West. OFM is synonymous with the people of Central South Africa, and includes a full spectrum of listeners, from urban working moms and dads to corporate professionals, as well as rural communities and agricultural producers.

ALSO READ: OFM School of Podcasting opens April 2023

The station has an incredibly loyal and supportive audience. OFM enjoys one of the highest occurrences of time spent listening to the radio in South Africa. This is achieved by the station’s great music offerings – such as playing listeners their favourite songs on the Request Network and counting down Central South Africa’s 30 biggest hits on the Central SA Top 30.

OFM offers several niche features – including a dedicated agricultural programme with three additional agricultural news updates a day, as well as a dedicated business programme with two additional economic news updates throughout the day.

Sport is close to OFM listeners’ hearts and is what brings much of Central South Africa together. The station is a proud partner, sponsor, and supporter of the Cheetahs, Griquas and Leopards rugby teams as well as the Knights, Heat and Dragons cricket teams. OFM is committed to living the real good life, while at the same time helping Central South Africans to live their best lives.