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Television presenting duo Ant and Dec are making their debut in the podcasting world with a new show titled *Hanging Out with Ant & Dec*. This project is part of their recently launched digital entertainment venture, Belta Box, which aims to bring content to audiences across various platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. The podcast, set to premiere later this month, will feature the pair chatting about their daily lives, engaging with listener questions, and revisiting memorable moments from their extensive TV careers.
The creation of Belta Box provides a fresh digital home not only for the new podcast but also for classic clips from Ant and Dec’s past shows. Both presenters emphasized the informal and spontaneous nature of their podcast, with Declan Donnelly explaining, “We asked our audience if we did a podcast what would they like it be about, and they said ‘we just want you guys to hang out’.” He added, “So that’s what we’re doing – Ant & I don’t get to hang out as much as we used to, so it’s perfect for us.” Their company, Mitre Studios, is overseeing the production of both the podcast and the broader Belta Box content.
Despite being a relatively late entrant into the podcasting domain, Ant and Dec are leveraging their strong fanbase and digital strategy to expand their presence beyond traditional television. Alex Hudson, a journalist and co-host of the tech podcast *Crashed*, commented on their approach: “Ant and Dec have just extended their ITV contract by another three years while they try to get this company up and running. So they can take their rumoured £30m contract and, even if this new company doesn’t work out, will still be some of the best paid presenters in the industry.” Hudson also recognized the podcast’s timing amid a rapidly growing digital audio market, projected to balloon from around £25 billion to nearly £100 billion within the decade. However, he cautioned about challenges in sustaining momentum without traditional broadcast support and advertising systems.
In addition to the podcast, the Belta Box channel recently launched on YouTube, streaming early shows such as *Byker Grove*, *SM:TV*, and *Saturday Night Takeaway*. Ant McPartlin described this expansion into online video as a “natural next step” following their long careers focused on entertainment. Hudson noted that while YouTube dominates short-form and viral video content, it is looking to break into longer-form programming, an area typified by platforms like Netflix. The involvement of high-profile personalities like Ant and Dec could play a critical role in this shift. This move aligns with broader industry trends where traditional broadcasters and major talent continue to explore how best to capitalize on digital streaming platforms, a point highlighted by recent data showing YouTube surpassing the BBC in monthly audience reach across all devices, even as the BBC maintains stronger viewership for longer viewing sessions. Meanwhile, the Financial Times reported that the BBC is preparing to announce a significant content deal with YouTube, potentially enabling it to monetize programs through advertising outside the UK, though official statements on the arrangement have yet to be made
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