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Celebrity Podcasts: 7 Formats Ant & Dec Can Use to Win Over Global Audiences

UUnknown

2026-02-15

11 min read

Seven podcast formats Ant & Dec can use to scale Hanging Out globally — from serialized docu to live call-ins, with 2026 tools and localization tactics.

Hook: Why format matters more than celebrity in 2026

Fans want quick answers: is this podcast worth my time, where can I watch clips, and will the show respect time zones and languages? That’s the problem Ant & Dec’s new podcast Hanging Out must solve as it launches on the duo’s Belta Box network in early 2026. Celebrity name recognition still opens doors — but formats decide whether global audiences step through them. This guide gives seven concrete, platform-smart podcast formats mapped to Ant & Dec’s strengths and an actionable playbook to scale each format internationally using the latest video platforms and creator tools.

Context: The moment and why it matters

In January 2026 Ant & Dec officially rolled out Hanging Out as part of their Belta Box digital entertainment channel, answering audience demand to “just hang out.” That honesty is an advantage: the pair’s long-running chemistry and live-TV instincts fit casual hangouts, but the global creator ecosystem in late 2025–2026 rewards formats that are repurposable, short-form-friendly, and localization-ready. Platforms are optimizing for mixed-media shows — audio-first podcasts that pair with short-form video clips, live streams, and AI-powered subtitles — giving creators more leverage to build international audiences without relying on one platform’s algorithm.

“We asked our audience if we did a podcast what they would like it be about, and they said ‘we just want you guys to hang out.’” — Declan Donnelly

That direct audience feedback is gold. But turning “hanging out” into a global, monetizable product requires intentional formats. Below are seven formats tailored to the duo’s strengths with concrete platform and production tactics for 2026.

7 podcast formats Ant & Dec can use to win over global audiences

1) Serialized docuseries: “Backstage Belta”

Why it fits: Ant & Dec have decades of TV history — clips, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and cultural moments that scale into a serialized narrative. A docuseries harnesses their storytelling edge and appeals to long-form listeners and viewers.

Format specifics:

Seasonal structure: 6–8 episodes per season, each 30–50 minutes, focused on one theme (e.g., “The Road to Britain’s Night,” “Iconic Live TV Moments”).
Multi-layer delivery: full audio episodes on podcast platforms; 12–15 minute long-form video for YouTube/FB; chaptered micro-episodes and 60–90 second TikTok/YouTube Shorts.
Feature archival footage and licensed clips where possible; complement with freshly recorded commentary and interviews.

International strategy: commission region-specific intros and translated chapter markers using AI-assisted transcription and human QA. Partner with local broadcasters for curated highlights episodes that include regional hosts who contextualize episodes for local audiences.

2) Live call-in & watch party: “Hanging Out Live”

Why it fits: Ant & Dec are live-TV experts. Live audio/video tapings let them play to strengths: banter, improvisation, and instant audience interaction — formats that create social buzz and strong retention.

Format specifics:

Weekly 60–90 minute live shows using YouTube Live + podcast feed (post-live edited version). Integrate live call-ins, social comments, and live polls.
Ticketed “watch party” events with Q&A, tiered access (VIP backstage rooms), and post-show exclusive clips. For converting ticket sales and tiered access, pair your commerce with checkout flows designed for creator drops — see Checkout Flows that Scale.
Moderation strategy: trained live producers in region-specific shifts to manage incoming calls and comments across time zones.

International strategy: run two live windows optimized for Americas and APAC/Europe, then repurpose each window into time-zone-specific highlight reels with translated captions.

3) Serialized investigative / human-interest audio: “The Other Side”

Why it fits: Ant & Dec’s credibility with truth-telling and empathy can power longer investigative or human-interest stories — think celebrity-adjacent features that dig into the craft behind shows they’ve worked on.

Format specifics:

8–10 episode investigative miniseries per year. Each episode ~45 minutes with strong research notes and secondary sources.
Use professional field recordings, archive audio, and expert interviews to boost E-E-A-T.
Companion video episodes for YouTube with sourced visuals, timelines, and on-screen captions for accessibility.

International strategy: co-produce with local investigative partners or journalists in markets of interest; this boosts trust and helps with access to regional archives.

4) Format games & challenges: “Decider”

Why it fits: Their chemistry is play-first. Games are inherently visual social content and translate into memeable short clips ideal for global virality.

Format specifics:

Short-form episodic: 12–20 minute video episodes with quick game rounds; audio edit of 20–30 minutes for podcast listeners with fun explainer intros.
Audience participation: challenge submissions from fans, global leaderboard, cross-border fan teams.
Branded formats: easily packaged and licensed to international feed partners or localized versions.

International strategy: run global tournaments — localized heats (e.g., UK, US, Australia) with winners meeting in a global final; create subtitled or dubbed versions for non-English markets using AI dubbing plus human touch-ups.

5) Celebrity swaps & crossover interviews: “Across the Pond”

Why it fits: Ant & Dec have a network of celebrity contacts. Cross-border chat shows with high-profile guests, international hosts, or local fan-submitted questions build global interest and attract platform cross-promotion.

Format specifics:

Interview-plus-segment format: 40–60 minute studio or remote interviews paired with localized 10–12 minute highlight reels.
Co-host swap episodes: a guest host from another market co-presents; each market promotes the episode to their audience.
Clip licensing: create pre-cleared 30–60 second clips for platform-native sharing.

International strategy: engage US late-night or daytime talent for cross-promos; book regionally beloved stars (Bollywood, Nollywood, K-pop, Latin pop) for dedicated episodes, then distribute translated clips to local platforms.

6) Nostalgia + clip curation show: “The Archive Hour”

Why it fits: Ant & Dec’s TV legacy is content gold. A curated nostalgia format invites long-time fans while onboarding new viewers who discover classic moments through short-form rediscovery.

Format specifics:

Weekly episode format with a theme (e.g., “Best Live TV Saves,” “Prank Week”).
Permission-first clip montage with modern commentary and behind-the-scenes anecdote segments.
Short-form repacks: 1-minute micro-highlights, 3-minute best-ofs for TikTok/YouTube Shorts.

International strategy: create “localized best-of” episodes showcasing how the duo’s clips landed in different markets, with regional guests explaining cultural responses.

7) Serialized fiction/comedy audio-drama: “The Studio”

Why it fits: Ant & Dec have a knack for comedy timing and character work. A scripted audio-drama or sketch series — serialized over a season — can showcase creativity, stretch their brand, and open licensing to streaming platforms hungry for celebrity-led IP.

Format specifics:

6–10 episode fiction seasons, each episode 20–30 minutes; cinematic sound design for immersive listening.
Supplement with short visual teasers and motion-graphic story recaps for social platforms.
Merch and live stage adaptations as downstream revenue.

International strategy: sell format rights to local producers or create bilingual seasons; translate scripts to preserve comedic beats rather than literal translation.

Platform & tool recommendations (video platforms and creator tools)

To scale any of these formats, a hybrid toolset is essential. Focus on tools that help create, localize, distribute, and monetize across platforms. Here are practical picks and how to use them in 2026.

Content creation and production

Studio-grade A/V: 4K cameras for long-form, multi-camera live switchers (Blackmagic ATEM or cloud-native switchers) and professional mics (Schoeps/Neumann) for rich audio. Capture separate stems for remixable clips.
Remote recording: Riverside.fm or SquadCast for high-quality remote interviews; integrate local backup recorders for guests in different territories.
Editing: Premiere Pro/DaVinci Resolve for video; Hindenburg/Pro Tools for audio. Build templated edit suites for rapid episode turnarounds. For scalable repackaging workflows and automated clip generation, see scaling vertical video production.

Localization & AI tools

AI transcription and translation: Use enterprise captioning (Deepgram, Rev.ai, Microsoft Azure Speech) then apply human QA to avoid errors and idiom loss. For workflow patterns that scale AI captions and dubbing, review AI-powered DAM workflows.
AI dubbing: Emerging 2026 tools can generate natural-sounding dubs — always pair with native voice actors for brand-critical episodes.
Region-aware metadata: Localize titles, descriptions, and thumbnail text to maximize CTR across markets.

Distribution & live interaction

Multistreaming: Stream to YouTube, Twitch, and Rumble simultaneously during live shows to capture different communities — and design delivery with an eye toward CDN transparency and edge performance.
Shorts engine: Use automated clipping tools (Descript, Podcastle) to create multiple short-form variants per episode optimized for each platform’s aspect ratio and attention curve.
Community tools: Discord or Circle for fan clubs; implement region-based channels and timed “hangouts” to drive retention.

Monetization & growth KPIs for 2026

Monetization now depends on diversified revenue streams. Pair ad revenue with memberships, sponsorships, ticketed live events, and IP licensing. Track metrics that matter:

Engagement: average watch/listen time and short-form completion rates (TikTok/YouTube Shorts).
Conversion: membership sign-ups, ticket sales for live events, and paid downloads.
Cross-platform reach: unique viewers across platforms and repackaged clip virality.
Localization lift: incremental growth in a market after implementing translated episodes or localized partners.

International expansion playbook — tactical steps

Use a sprint-based approach to test formats and markets. Here’s a 6-step tactical checklist to run in the first 6–9 months.

Launch a lead format (e.g., the live hangout) with two weekly time windows to test Americas vs Europe/APAC engagement.
Create 3 short-form clips per episode targeted by region and language; run paid tests with localized thumbnails and CTAs.
Pick one priority market (e.g., US) and commission a local co-host episode; measure retention lift and subscriber crossover.
Implement AI captions and two-language dubs for top-performing episodes; compare completion and share rates.
Set up a creator collaboration program: one guest swap per month with local creators in target markets to cross-promote.
Track KPIs weekly and iterate formats based on retention and conversion data; double down on the top 2 formats after three months.

Production checklist: what to lock down before episode one

Rights clearance plan for archival clips and music licensing.
Post-production pipeline and edit templates for quick-turn highlights.
Localization SOPs: captioning, dubbing, and metadata templates per market.
Community moderation rules and staffing for live shows (including timezone coverage).
Monetization framework: which episodes are ad-supported vs. subscriber-only.

Case studies and quick wins (experience + expertise)

From late 2024 through 2025 we saw creators turn personality-led podcasts into multi-format franchises by focusing on bite-sized repackaging and localization. For example, talk shows that released weekly shorts to TikTok saw 2–3x subscriber acquisition when clips were localized. In 2026, AI captioning and faster multi-stream tools make this playbook repeatable at lower cost. Ant & Dec’s advantage is proprietary archive footage and a pre-built brand — pair that with a ruthless repackaging cadence and they’ll unlock global discovery quickly.

Risks and mitigation

Three common pitfalls and how to avoid them:

Overreliance on long-form: If every episode is 60+ minutes, international discovery suffers. Mitigation: always produce 3–5 short clips per episode for distribution.
Poor localization: Literal translations fail. Mitigation: use native speakers for QA and context, especially for humor and cultural references.
Unclear monetization: Delayed revenue creates friction. Mitigation: launch a pilot season with a mix of ad-supported episodes and at least one ticketed live event.

Actionable takeaways — your 30/90/180 day playbook

First 30 days

Produce and publish the lead episode of Hanging Out with 3 short-form clips.
Set up captioning and a basic localization pipeline (AI + 1 human QA).
Run a live test window and collect audience questions for future guest shows.

90 days

Analyze retention by clip, market, and time window; iterate on formats.
Produce one serialized docu episode and one game-format episode to A/B test.
Secure first international guest swap and run two region-specific promo pushes.

180 days

Scale the top two formats and introduce localized reps in two priority markets.
Launch a membership tier with exclusive behind-the-scenes minis and early access.
Plan a ticketed live taping as a brand event with global streaming windows.

Final thought: turn “hanging out” into a global format engine

Ant & Dec have the single most valuable asset for a celebrity podcast: authentic chemistry. In 2026, authenticity wins when it’s combined with a smart format and distribution strategy that respects platform norms and language differences. Whether they choose serialized docuseries, live call-ins, or comedy-drama experiments, the playbook is the same: design for short-form repackaging, invest in localization, and monetize with layered revenue streams.

Use the seven formats above as modular components. Start with the one that best matches their immediate production capacity — likely a weekly live hangout — and build serialized and scripted wings once the audience signals demand. With the right mix of tools and local partners, Ant & Dec can convert Belta Box’s domestic curiosity into true global fandom.

Call to action

Want a tailored rollout plan for Ant & Dec’s Belta Box — including a 90-day content calendar, localization budget, and repackaging templates for Shorts and TikTok? Contact our editorial strategy team at themovie.live for a free audit and a sample episode repackaging kit built for 2026 distribution channels.

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