As the podcast boom rolls on in Australia and around the world, the locally-produced offerings getting the most hype haven't been those produced by the 86-year-old ABC, but by newspapers -- relative newcomers to audio production.

A week ago, US cable network HBO confirmed it has optioned The Australian's Walkley Award-winning Lost in Larrimah -- a podcast pitched to and turned down by the ABC. Another of The Australian's podcasts, The Teacher's Pet, won a Gold Walkley and has made waves around the world. At last month's Quills, a team from The Age won the podcast category for Wrong Skin over three other finalists, also produced by newspaper mastheads.