UK adds podcasting to SIC 2026

The Office for National Statistics published the UK’s SIC 2026 framework on April 14, adding a new classification for “podcast and other audio publishing activities” to the system used to categorize businesses and economic activity. The change gives podcasting and audio a named place in the UK’s industrial classification, replacing a long period in which many companies in the sector were grouped under broader or less precise categories, according to AudioUK. (ons.gov.uk) Podnews published AudioUK’s announcement on May 13, a month after the ONS released the updated framework. SIC is used for collecting and presenting official statistics and is also used for administrative purposes by government and other bodies, the ONS says. (podnews.net) ### Where did this change actually come from? The Office for National Statistics said on April 28 that SIC 2026 had been published and ratified by the National Statistician’s Advisory Panel after a public consultation and revision process. The ONS said the update followed input from trade bodies, businesses, government and devolved administrations, and academia. A government consultation page shows the formal process began with an ONS consultation published on January 8, 2024, and ran from October 31, 2023, to January 23, 2024. The consultation asked users for views on how the UK should update its industrial classification after revisions to international systems. (ons.gov.uk) ### What is SIC, and why do companies care about it? The ONS says the Standard Industrial Classification provides the framework for collecting, tabulating, presenting and analyzing data by economic activity. The agency also says the system is used for administrative purposes and by non-government bodies as a common structure for classifying industrial activity. (ons.gov.uk) Companies House says businesses filing in the UK must use SIC codes to describe their nature of business, though it uses a condensed list derived from the ONS classification. Companies House says filings can be rejected if a company uses codes outside that condensed list. ### What exactly was added for podcasting? (gov.uk) AudioUK said the government had confirmed that “podcast and other audio publishing activities” would be formally recognized within the SIC 2026 framework. Podnews carried that statement in a press release dated May 13. The ONS classification workbook published with SIC 2026 contains the new framework and explanatory notes, though the agency said the main volume and indexes will be produced later in 2026. (ons.gov.uk) The ONS has not, on its main SIC 2026 page, separately highlighted podcasting in summary text, but the published framework includes new detailed categories reflecting changes to the modern economy. ### Who pushed for the new category? (resources.companieshouse.gov.uk) AudioUK said it worked with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the Office for National Statistics and the BBC to press for more accurate classification of podcasting and audio businesses. Chris Baughen, AudioUK’s chief executive, called the move “a major milestone for the UK podcast and audio industry” in the group’s May 13 statement. (podnews.net) AudioUK had been making that case publicly since at least July 8, 2025, when it launched a campaign urging the government to recognize podcasting and audio as part of the UK’s creative industries. In October 2025, Podnews reported that more than 400 UK podcasting and audio businesses had signed an open letter seeking recognition in government strategy. (ons.gov.uk) ### When will the new classification start showing up in official data? The ONS said SIC 2026 was finalized in April 2026 but cannot be used in outputs immediately because agencies need time to prepare systems and protect time-series continuity. The agency said implementation will start in business registers, ahead of sampling for business surveys, and will conclude with use in the UK National Accounts. (podnews.net) The ONS said the earliest point at which SIC 2026-coded survey results are expected to feed into the UK National Accounts is the 2031 Blue Book. The agency also said the explanatory notes will be reviewed annually after publication, with only minor updates rather than another full revision. (ons.gov.uk) (podnews.net)