Premium 15-episode podcast series on the timeshare story launches across all major platforms
The story behind timeshare — and why it still matters
Timeshare has been around since the early 1960s. In the UK, it became a familiar part of the national conversation because of high-pressure sales, criminal involvement, large-scale money laundering and illegal business practices. In the 1980s and 1990s, scarcely a day went by without timeshare horror stories hitting the national media. Books and even films have been made about the wider culture around it.
Now, as the once-roaring European market has died down and the “glory days” have faded, two established media specialists have set out to capture what happened — told by the people who were actually there.
The result is a 15-episode podcast series featuring in-depth interviews in the voices of those who played different roles in the saga. Listeners hear directly from the conmen, their victims, and the people who worked to bring fraudsters to justice.
Mike McDowell is an industry-leading radio producer, journalist and presenter whose CV includes work with leading broadcasters from the BBC to CNN to Virgin Radio. He has created some of the most iconic shows of his generation, including The World Tonight, Business Matters and 5 Live Breakfast (which he also presented). Mike has worked with Chris Evans, Peter Allen, Jane Garvey and Becky Anderson, to name but a few.
A leading podcast production team
Leading journalist Eugene Costello and BBC production and presenting veteran Mike McDowell teamed up to produce this wide-ranging series of interview-led episodes.
Eugene Costello has enjoyed a distinguished career in journalism, writing for major titles including The Times, The Guardian, The Scotsman, Scotland on Sunday, Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, Evening Standard, Sunday World, Debonair, Halcyon, La Femme, Maxim, FHM and many more.
Eugene has also published multiple Valencia Life podcast episodes.
Mike McDowell is an industry-leading radio producer, journalist and presenter whose CV includes working with leading radio networks from the BBC to CNN to Virgin Radio. He has created some of the most iconic shows of his generation, including The World Tonight, Business Matters and 5 Live Breakfast (where he also presented). Mike has worked with Chris Evans, Peter Allen, Jane Garvey and Becky Anderson, to name but a few.
Listening figures for Mike’s shows were often in excess of 200 million people.
His other work includes presenting, voiceovers for adverts and documentaries (including Animal Planet) and — luckily for us — producing podcasts.
Available far and wide
The full series is now live on the “Big 3”: Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Podcasts.
It is also listed on Rephonic, Podcast Republic, Goodpods and Pocket Cast, among others.
“We expect the series to be extremely popular,” says Greg Wilson, CEO of European Consumer Claims, the claims firm that sponsored the podcasts. “Timeshare affected a huge number of people over the last quarter of a century — from the criminals and salespeople who made their fortunes, to the victims who lost money to these operations.”
“Even people who didn’t fall for the slick sales pitches will remember being relentlessly approached by touts if they holidayed on the Spanish Costas and Islas in the 80s and 90s.”
“This is a fascinating, exceptionally well-produced series of interviews — and a rare insight into the often criminal workings of this multi-billion-pound business.”
Have questions about timeshare?
If you have timeshare issues and need help or advice — or you’re looking for ways to exit an unfair timeshare contract — get in touch with our team at the Timeshare Advice Centre.
If you meet certain criteria, you may be due financial compensation from your resort.
