Message Heard, a UK podcast production company, has gone into voluntary liquidation, in an unexpected move, leaving staff and freelancers out of work. 

Founded by Jake Warren in 2018, Message Heard made shows for clients including Wondery, iHeart, Al Jazeera, and the BBC. Only a few weeks ago, it won a Signal Award for a show it produced for the British Council. 

What Went Wrong With Message Heard?

Podnews research suggests the company’s finances had been worsening for years, with annual losses ranging between £300,000 and £1.6m from 2022 to 2025. By December 2025, the company had only eight employees. In September, director and COO, Max Warren, became the sole director of a different company, Private Source Ltd. 

Many former employees say they are still yet to be compensated for work carried out prior to the company’s collapse. Presenter and producer Thomas Small cited “unresolved difficulties over payment for our work”, and another former employee said many had completed work they remain unpaid for.

Staff and freelancers have taken to LinkedIn to share their shock and frustration. Former freelancer, Christopher Phin, wrote that “a group of extraordinarily talented producers, engineers, production coordinators and more, suddenly find themselves without security at the worst time of year.” Alan Leer, Head of Sound and Creative Audio, said his entire team had been made redundant, and that he was “really shocked about the situation and how it’s been handled.”

How Can Cue Productions Help?

We understand that losing a production partner mid-season is stressful. Our team at Cue Productions are on hand to make the move as smooth and simple as possible, whether your show is mid-series or about the launch. 

We offer a full range of production services, supporting you through the entire podcast production process, including:

• End-to-end production including recording, editing, mixing, and publishing
• Expert strategy and consultation for tailored proposals
• High-quality, polished audio
• Content optimised for different platforms for maximum reach
• Post-production promotional support 
• Human-led content built to stand out and stop the scroll
• Rapid turnarounds and constant contact with the team

Don’t miss an episode. Bring your podcast to Cue Productions today.

Book a free discovery call to discuss your goals and hear how Cue can take the reins. Prefer email? Send us a message at hey@cueproductions.com.

FAQ

What happens to shows currently in production?

There have been no confirmed statements about current projects. We suggest contacting the appointed liquidator directly for updates on contracts and ongoing work.

What should I do if Message Heard made my podcast?

• Check you control your RSS feed and hosting account
• Get copies of your raw audio, project files, and any artwork
• Find your contract and any outstanding invoices

How do I move my show to Cue?

Book a discovery call. We’ll introduce ourselves, review where your show is up to, agree a plan, and get your next episode moving as soon as we can.

Affected by the Message Heard closure? Get in touch today and we’ll help get your show back on schedule.

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