How to start radio show syndication with podcast hosting

Step 1 – Log In

Log in to your Syndicast account, click on the ‘RADIO SYNDICATION button in the ‘SHOW | PODCAST’ section of the main menu, then click on the ‘Add New Show’


Step 2 – Billing Details

If you have not previously entered your billing details, you will need to do so now to continue the process. You will not be charged at this point. After providing the billing information, you can return to Step 1 to continue submitting your show.

Step 3 – Select Service

Please select the service you would like to use, bearing in mind that this cannot be changed later.

a. If you wish to have your radio show picked up and broadcast worldwide by FM, DAB, satellite, and online radio stations, select ‘’RADIO SYNDICATION’.

b. If your goal is to have your radio show broadcast on radio stations worldwide and featured on major streaming platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Deezer, and many more, select ‘RADIO SYNDICATION AND PODCASTING’.

blank

Step 4 – Radio Show Title

Enter the title of your radio show (e.g., ‘Syndicast Sessions’) in the pop-up window, then click ‘Save’. Do not include the presenter’s name here.

blank

MyRadioShowSettings and Show Status

Provide all the required information on the ‘MyRadioShowSettings’ page. Once everything is completed, you can proceed to check out and start the syndication of your radio show. There is a ‘RADIO SHOW STATUS’ section on the left-hand side. Once all the RADIO SHOW STATUS’ sections are ticked green, then you will be able to proceed to payment and begin the syndication of your radio show.

blank

Step 5 – Artwork

You may provide your radio show’s details in any order. Let’s begin with the artwork.

Click on the ‘Upload’ button in the ‘Artwork’ section.

blank

Select and save your radio show’s artwork from the pop-up window. The artwork must be square, with a minimum size of 1400 x 1400 pixels and a maximum size of 3000 x 3000 pixels, at 72 dpi, in either JPEG or PNG format (with the appropriate file extensions .jpg or .png), and within the RGB colour space.

To be eligible for featured placement on iTunes/Apple Podcasts, the artwork must be 3000 x 3000 pixels and meet the above quality specifications.

blank

Step 6 – Basic Details

The next section is ‘Basic Details’. To enter the required basic details of your radio show, click ‘Edit’.

blank

Complete the necessary information for your radio show in the pop-up window.

blank

Radio Show Name*
You have already entered the name of the radio show (title). You can change it here if you would like to.

Presenter*
Enter the name of the presenter/host of the show. For example, John Wick.

Language*
Select the language of your programme, e.g., English. If there is no speech in your programme, select the language in which your jingles/IDs are played.

Genres*
Select all genres that are relevant to your radio show.

Content*
Select all content types that are relevant to your show. For example, if you speak in your show, a DJ mix or music is the basis of the programme, and there are jingles in the show, select: Talk, Mix, Jingles. If there is no talking, just jingles and music, select Mix, Jingles.

Length in Minutes*
Enter the length of your show, for example, 60 minutes. Usual show lengths are 60 or 120 minutes; if the length of yours is different, please contact us.

Start Date*
Select the start date of the show. For example, if you choose Tuesday, 1st December 2023, that means your first episode will be delivered to the subscribed radios on that day, and the system will schedule the upcoming episodes from that date.

Frequency*
Select the frequency of your show, for example, weekly. If your show is monthly, you also need to select how the next shows will be scheduled. Upcoming episodes will be scheduled on the:

  • same day of the week
  • same day of the month

For example, if your show starts on Thursday the 5th, you have two options: The first is that your subsequent shows will be on the 5th day of every successive month. The second option is that your subsequent shows will be on the first Thursday of each month.

In the future, we will refer to this date as the “Publishing Date” of your show 

Step 7 – Description

Describe your show in a few compelling sentences, ensuring it captures the attention of radio stations and potential listeners without them having to listen to any episodes. This description is crucial as it will be utilized across all Syndicast platforms, and radio stations will use it for promotional purposes. To add the description of your radio show, click ‘EDIT’. 

blank

After crafting your engaging description, click ‘SAVE’ to proceed.

Step 8 – Media / Press

In this section, you are required to enter your social media links and upload the press pack for your show. To understand what your press pack should contain, visit this link: https://syndicast.co.uk/help/radio-show-syndication/requirements/what-is-a-press-pack-and-what-should-it-contain

Click on the ‘EDIT’ button to provide the necessary information.

blank

Note that the press pack is mandatory. The rest of the information assists radio stations and listeners in discovering more about you easily.

blank

Step 9 – RSS Feed Settings

If you chose Podcast Hosting along with Radio Show Syndication, you will need to provide some additional information.

In the “RSS FEED SETTINGS” section, click on the pen icon. Note that if you wish to make any changes in the future, you should return to this location. Directories use this data to list your podcast. If you make changes after your podcast has been approved, it may take a day or two for the updates to become visible.

blank

In the pop-up window, you will need to fill in all the required fields marked with an asterisk (*). Please be aware that these details are used for your podcast listings in directories. Should you make any changes after your podcast has been approved, it might take a day or two for the updates to appear.

a. Bitrate*
Select the bitrate for your podcast. We recommend 192kbps, which is a good balance between quality and data usage, especially for listeners streaming on mobile devices.

b. Episode delay*
It’s advisable to provide a few days of exclusivity to the radio stations. Here, you can specify the number of days to wait after delivering your episode to the radios before it is published on streaming platforms and in podcast directories.

c. Category*
Choose the category that best represents your podcast.

d. Subtitle*
Provide a subtitle for your podcast.

e. Copyright*
Enter the copyright owner’s name for the podcast.

f. Author*
List the name of the podcast’s author.

g. Owner email*
Provide the email address of the podcast owner. This address is important as podcast directories will use it to verify your ownership when you submit your podcast.

h. Keywords*
List the keywords associated with your podcast, separating them with commas.

i. Show URL / website
If your podcast has a dedicated website, enter the URL here. If not, it is recommended to use the URL of your free landing page provided by Syndicast once claimed.

j. Explicit Content*
Indicate whether your podcast contains explicit material by selecting ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.

blank

Once you are done, click ‘SAVE’

Step 10 – Upload an Episode

Up next is uploading a radio show episode. Click on ‘+ADD NEW EPISODE’. 

blank


a, ‘files’ tab

Provide the following data in the ‘files’ tab on the uploading page:

Upload Episode Artwork*
Upload the episode artwork. It must be square, with dimensions ranging from 2000 x 2000 to 4000 x 4000 pixels at 72 DPI and a file size no larger than 5MB.

Episode Number*
Enter the episode number in a three-digit format. For example: 067 or 157.

Guest
If there is a guest on your show, enter their name here, such as Kate Long. If there is no guest, leave the field blank.

Clean or Explicit*
You are required to select either Clean or Explicit. If your episode contains swear words or adult content, you must choose Explicit.

Delivery Date – Publishing Date*
Select the delivery date for the episode. Episodes can be scheduled in advance.

Upload Episode*
Select the radio show episode file to upload. The only accepted format is mp3 at 320 kbps. Ensure the show is of high quality and has been mastered correctly. If in doubt, do not hesitate to get in touch. ENSURE THAT NO ARTWORK IS ADDED TO THE MP3 FILE’S METADATA.

Once everything is complete, click on ‘NEXT STEP’.

blank

b. ‘description’ tab

Description of the episode
The next step is the episode description. Here you can provide details about the episode for the radio stations. This is not mandatory, so you have the option of leaving it blank, entering a short description, or including important links.

Note that this field is visible if you choose SoundCloud or Mixcloud uploading. It will serve as the default description on those platforms.

Internal Message to Radio
This field is also not mandatory. Its purpose is solely for adding information that will be visible only to the subscribed radio stations.

blank

c. ‘tracklist’ tab*

Tracklist*
Paste the tracklist for the episode using the recommended format: artist – title (remix) / label. This field cannot be left blank. If you do not have a tracklist, enter: ‘Tracklist is not available for this episode.’ Providing a tracklist is important as it allows radio stations to report the songs they play, ensuring that the producers and record labels can receive royalties.

blank

d. ‘services’ tab*

“In this section, you will find the ‘Default Title’ and ‘Default Description’ that are set to be displayed on podcast platforms. If the ‘Default Title’ does not meet your needs, you are free to customise the episode title for the podcast. Simply enter your preferred text into the ‘Title’ field within the PODCAST SETTINGS section. It’s also worth noting that if you opt for Mixcloud or SoundCloud auto-episode uploading at a later stage, you’ll have the opportunity to customise their settings in the ‘Services’ section as well.

blank

When you are ready, click ‘UPLOAD’.

blank

Do not close the window once the uploading process has begun. The window will automatically close when the upload is complete. If the upload is successful, the episode will appear in your episode list.

upload_is_success.png

Step 11 – Check Out

When all the ‘RADIO SHOW STATUS’ sections are ticked green, click on the ‘CHECK OUT AND START’ button.

blank

You will be directed to the payment page.

Step 12 – Payment

Complete the submission by making the first payment.

MAIN SERVICE
‘Radio Show Syndication’ should be pre-selected.

blank

PODCAST HOSTING PLAN
This guide is tailored to radio syndication with the podcast hosting service. The BASIC plan is selected by default and supports up to 5,000 listens/downloads per month. It is recommended to maintain this plan, as it is unlikely that you will exceed this number in the first month.

blank

UPLOADING SERVICES 

If you would like to use any of our free uploading tools, select one or both:

‘Soundcloud Auto-Uploading’: Our system can schedule your episodes to be uploaded to Soundcloud. Choose this option if you wish to utilize the service. After payment, you will need to connect your Syndicast account to your Soundcloud account (if not already done) via API in the UPLOADING SERVICES settings. [How to set up auto-uploading for episodes to Soundcloud]

Remember to grant radio stations a few days of exclusivity and avoid releasing episodes to them and the streaming platform simultaneously. It is more likely that radio stations will not play content that is already available to the public.

‘Mixcloud Auto-Uploading’: Our system can schedule your episodes to be uploaded to Mixcloud. Select this if you want to use the service. Following payment, connect your Syndicast account to your Mixcloud account (if this hasn’t been done) via API in the UPLOADING SERVICES settings. [How to set up auto-uploading for episodes to Mixcloud]

Please ensure radio stations have some days of exclusivity and do not deliver the episodes to them and the streaming platform at the same time. Radio stations are less inclined to play content that is already publicly available.

blank

BILLING PERIOD
Choose the billing period. Discounts are available for 6 and 12-month advance payments.

blank

PAYMENT METHOD
Choose your payment method: ‘Paypal’ for card and Paypal transactions, or ‘Bank Transfer’ for international or national bank transfers.

Agree to the Terms and Conditions and click ‘CHECK OUT’.

Note: Bank transfers may take 1 to 4 working days to process.

blank

Once payment is confirmed, our team will review the submitted details. If all is correct, your podcast will be approved to go live.

blank

Step 13 – Submitting Your Show to Podcast Directories

(This step is relevant only if you have opted for Podcast Hosting as well.)

After your radio show is paid for and approved, you can view its unique RSS Feed URL by navigating to SHOW | PODCAST > RADIO SHOW SYNDICATION > My Shows.

Your show must have at least one PUBLISHED episode before it can be listed on streaming platforms or podcast directories. Once this condition is met, you can submit the RSS feed for inclusion.

You have a choice of 17 different platforms. Select the platforms where you would like your show to be featured and follow the submission steps below:

Table of Contents