GCap (LON:GCAP) has become a member of the UK Podcasters Association, an umbrella body advocating podcasters’ rights, in a sign Britain’s largest commercial radio operator is getting more serious about the downloadable audio medium (announcement). GCap stations already offer segments of shows for direct download, web-based catch-up or download as a podcast (like these at flagship station Capital). But the group also boasts an in-house podcast production and consulting team that caters for commercial clients like Woolworth, political parties and The Sun newspaper. GCap made its first podcasts for a Home Office internet safety campaign, promoted through the Hit40uk chart show, back in February 2006. This is interesting for GCap, which is setting aside an additional £2.1 million to upgrade its aging station websites with on-demand radio this year but which in June debuted the feature on Xfm.co.uk without having been licensed to offer full songs by musicians’ PPL royalties collection society. In joining the UKPA, it is allying itself with those who are already working on the same questions - the small association was founded last year to help amateur and semi-pro podcasters secure licenses to include commercial music in their productions.