Mercury and the Student Radio Association Announce Podcast Partnership

 It was a win for independent podcasters when Liam Heffernan of Mercury struck back at the podcast network monopolies by starting an indie podcast that brings listeners quality shows.

Mercury, a new UK-based podcast network, launched in February of this year. It is designed to support the unique needs of independent creators looking to grow and monetize their podcasts. Mercury’s ambition is to represent the world’s best independent podcasts and creators. 

In another sharp business move that enhances independent podcasters, The Student Radio Association (SRA) has partnered with Mercury in a groundbreaking deal which will see the new indie network distribute all podcast content from the SRA and its member stations.

The SRA is the voluntary body supporting student radio, representing 65 stations across the UK, and has a long history of bringing through the next generation of radio stars. This new collaboration marks a clear move into podcasting.

The Mercury network will provide free hosting and distribution of all podcasts made by the SRA and any of its member stations. This is a non-exclusive deal, and the SRA will maintain full control over all content on its network.

 By removing the financial barriers and providing a space where students can develop, launch, and distribute their own content, Mercury’s founder Liam Heffernan believes this “will empower the next generation of great podcasters.”

In addition to hosting and distribution, Mercury will provide students with supplementary training and expertise, utilizing its expanding resources to promote and monetize SRA shows. The expectation is not only to provide cost savings, but also to generate revenue for the student radio network.

For graduates who launched their shows on the SRA network, it is Mercury’s intention to provide ongoing support beyond University, as it continues to expand its offering for the global independent podcast community.

Mercury has no investment firm or large financial backers. Staying true to its independent spirit, it was founded and financed entirely by founder Liam Heffernan and his family.

Liam Heffernan is an award-winning podcast producer with nearly 20 years of experience in audio, beginning with hospital radio from 2006, BBC Radio York from 2008–2009, and student radio station Livewire 1350 in 2011. He has continued to support the voluntary sector, serving as an Executive for the Hospital Broadcasting Association from 2020 to 2023. Since 2021, he has been a professional podcast producer, working for the likes of Auddy and on shows including United Daily, How Not to Screw Up Your Kids, and Fintech Insider. He has also created several shows independently, including America: A History.

“We’re going toe to toe with the big networks… and we’re winning!” insists Liam Heffernan, Mercury’s Founder.

"In Mercury, we have revolutionized what it means to be a podcast network," says Liam. "It places value over volume, it puts content before ads, and it puts creator support at the very heart of its offering. By coming at it from this mindset, we’ve been able to hit the ground running and go toe to toe with the biggest networks for the best independent shows and creators out there…and we’re winning."

"Passion is something you find in abundance in the independent podcasting space. We wouldn't take time out of our busy lives to create podcasts unless we had passion for the subject," says Em McGowan, co-founder of the Independent Podcast Awards, host
of Verbal Diorama, and now part of the Mercury Podcast Network. “Film history is mine, and I wouldn't be making episodes almost six years later if I still didn't have that passion. But no one said it was easy, and it remains just as tough to be an indie podcast as it has ever been.”

Liam Heffernan, the founder of the Mercury Podcast Network, was a guest on Podnews Weekly Review. I recommend that you listen to his interview. You can find it here, and the interview begins at the 45-minute mark. Mr. Heffernan continues to make the most sense and present the most compelling arguments for embracing independent podcasts. His business model is inclusive, financially rigorous, and creatively robust.