Zoo 55 and Oxford Scientific Films Launch Jeremy Wade Vodcast

A new 20-part vodcast will revisit the unusual aquatic creatures, memorable catches, and unexplained encounters featured in River Monsters, as Zoo 55 and Oxford Scientific Films join forces with presenter Jeremy Wade. Fish On! With Jeremy Wade will debut exclusively for Patreon members on October 20, 2026, before expanding to YouTube, Spotify, and other podcast platforms on October 27.

The series will feature Wade alongside Scott Tankard, his longtime friend and co-host. According to the production announcement, episodes will examine stories from the original television program, include guests who worked on the series, and explore behind-the-scenes experiences, wildlife, and conservation issues.

The conversations will also draw on Wade's nearly four decades of exploration. The project follows a surge in digital engagement with River Monsters, which originally aired from 2009 to 2017 and reached audiences in 195 countries.

According to Zoo 55, River Monsters generated more than 1.74 billion social video views over the past year, averaging 4.77 million views per day and attracting 54 million engagements. The company also reported that the program's YouTube watch time increased by more than 1,100% year over year.

Wade said the new format would allow him to revisit stories that audiences may not have heard in full, including encounters with people and events that remained difficult to explain.

"People tend to ask about the biggest fish or the closest I've come to being killed. Some of these questions have a fairly short answer. But some stories can take a bit longer.

Tracking down the fish and other strange creatures took me to some extraordinary places, but often it's the people I met and the things I couldn't explain that have stayed with me. With Scott and our guests, there's time to get into those stories properly, and perhaps shed a little more light on some of the mysteries that still intrigue me" said Wade.

The series also reflects the program's reach among younger online audiences. On TikTok, fans have dubbed Wade the "Pokémon Master" because of his pursuit of unusual aquatic creatures.

Martin Trickey, managing director of Zoo 55, said the scale of the franchise's online audience had exceeded the company's expectations. He described the vodcast as a new project designed for existing fans of the television series.

"We knew how passionate Jeremy's fanbase was, and how enormous the global audience for fishing content could be, but we could never have imagined how monstrous River Monsters would become in the digital space. Fish On! With Jeremy Wade is a project for his fans and gives them something new to feast on." said Trickey.

Helen Conlan, executive producer at Oxford Scientific Films, highlighted Wade's connection with viewers and the opportunity to introduce his work to a new generation. She described River Monsters as a major factual television success and Wade as a prominent figure in the genre.

"River Monsters was a phenomenon, and Jeremy Wade became one of the true rock stars of factual television. What makes Jeremy so special is the incredible connection he has with his fans—he's knowledgeable, charismatic, completely authentic and, above all, hugely entertaining. We're thrilled to be working with him on Fish On! and to bring that connection to a new generation of fans as we start this next chapter together." said Conlan.

Fish On! With Jeremy Wade is a Zoo 55 Original produced by ITV Studios-owned Oxford Scientific Films and distributed digitally by Zoo 55. The vodcast will also be available through rivermonsters.tv.