Gervais launches internet shows

Ricky Gervais is to launch his free weekly podcast next Monday.

‘I want to do a radio show where I can say what I want, when I want for as long as I want and that's free for anybody who can be bothered to listen anywhere in the world,’ he said.

The shows will also involve Gervas’s Office and Extras writing partner Stephen Merchant, and their sidekick Karl Pilkington, who produced their previous XFM radio show.

Gervais added: ‘We didn't want it to just be the best bits of a radio programme you'd missed so this is a show that is straight-to-pod-cast.

‘I suppose we're trying to create an exclusive club. We'd prefer this to be a few people's favourite show than a huge samey ineffectual broadcast.’

Their 12 new programme will be distributed over the internet by Guardian Unlimited.

Editor in chief Emily Bell said: ‘We are delighted that Ricky, Stephen and Karl have chosen Guardian Unlimited for their podcasts.

‘Their humour is perfect for our audience. GU has been experimenting with podcasting over the past year but this represents the start of a much bigger commitment to using different digital formats.’

Gervais and Merchant hosted their XFM show for two years, returning for a six-week run this summer,

The trio, including Pilkington, are also hosting a two-hour show on Radio 2 on Christmas Eve morning.

Podcasts, which are downloaded automatically into subscribers’ computers, iPods or other mobile MP3 players, are becoming an increasingly popular way of broadcasting.

Chris Moyles is currently the top podcaster, with Chris Evans, the Daily Telegraph and Pete Tong also in the top 10.

Published: 28 Nov 2005