New podcasting portal for Middle East

The portal - www.podme.org - is the first of its kind in Europe and the Middle East. Podme.org has recording studios in London and Dubai and has plans for additional studios in Hong Kong, the wider Middle East, Europe and the Americas.

Podme's slogan, 'Reality Radio - Share the Air', reflects the operators' belief that podcasting "offers people of all ages, nationalities, colours and creeds a unique opportunity to develop real community radio across a diverse, exciting and limitless spectrum of topics and subject matter".

Currently the podme.org family features 8 podcasts covering a host of topics including the UAE construction sector, Media, the Travel Industry and the Automotive business. In addition podme.org is currently developing 5 new shows which will roll out in the near future.

Apart from the regular podcasts - ranging from irreverent British comedy and music to business and social issues - podme.org also features a 'Speakers Corner' which offers a unique facility to anyone who feels they have something to say but is unable to podcast on a regular basis.

The podme.org site also features podme-recommended sites which allows listeners to link to a large number of business-related shows including Architecture Talk, Smart City, Perfect Networker, RV Business and Run My Business.

"The advantage that Podcasting has over terrestrial radio", says a spokesman "is in its global reach, its 24-hour accessibility and the sheer diversity of programming. Conventional radio simply doesn't have the airtime to provide hundreds, far less thousands of niche shows for people with niche interests.

"With podcasting, you can search out a show that matches your interests, whatever they may be, and listen to that show any place, any time, anywhere. As our program list grows, podme will be offering a wide range of shows from business, to health and leisure, entertainment - you name it".

The spokesman added: "Podme.org firmly believes that podcasting really does have the power to bring people together, to build communities that matter and to change lives - and there are few communities as vibrant as Dubai and London.

"Dubai is the ultimate cultural melting pot and therefore a dynamic platform for the Middle East operations of podme.org. We really do hope to provide a unique Middle East and Western perspective on all aspects of life in this fascinating region and, indeed, around the globe".