Otherworld Media lands Blackstone deal for audio adaptation of Treasure Island

Otherworld Media has signed a distribution deal with Blackstone Publishing for Treasure Island: A Telling for the New World, an 8-hour radio mini-series based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s novel. The production is set to air on public radio nationwide this summer, then move to Blackstone platforms including Audible, iBooks and Google Play.

Why it matters: - The deal gives Treasure Island: A Telling for the New World broad public radio reach now and wider digital distribution later. - The release adds another large-scale audio adaptation to a growing market for cinematic, star-driven spoken-word productions. - The project pairs a classic title with a reset in 1828 New Orleans, the Bayous and the Caribbean, which gives the adaptation a distinct angle for audiences.

What happened: - Otherworld Media signed a distribution deal with Blackstone Publishing for Treasure Island: A Telling for the New World. - The 8-hour mini-series is set for broadcast on public radio stations nationwide for summer vacation programming. - The series will later be available through Blackstone platforms, including Audible, iBooks and Google Play. - The production is written and directed by Orson Ossman. - The adaptation stars Keith David as Long John Silver, John Goodman as Billy Bones, and Glynn Turman as James Hawkins/storyteller. - Nui Phonphila appears as the Young Jim Hawkins. - The cast also includes members of the Firesign Theatre, David Ossman and Phil Proctor, plus a larger supporting ensemble.

The details: - The story is a re-visioning of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island set in the American South and the Caribbean in 1828. - Taj Mahal composed and performed the original score. - Additional music comes from Grammy-winning violinist Mads Tolling and percussionists Jon Otis and Joey Torres. - Randy Thom supervised sound design. - Matt Schwartz and Tom Ouziel created and executed the series sound design at Fall on Your Sword in Los Angeles and MelodyGun Sound Studios in Hollywood. - Schwartz and Ouziel also handled the final mix under Ossman and co-producer Katie Hendrix. - The project entered pre-production in fall 2022 and finished post-production in January 2026. - The cast of 20 actors recorded in an audio-cinematic style on an island north of Seattle, using natural locations for different resonant qualities. - Rob Scott served as production sound mixer, and Chris Duesterdick served as location sound supervisor. - Nike Imoru, CSA, handled casting. - The production company says Otherworld Media / Otherworld Children’s Media has spent more than 40 years producing award-winning and Grammy-nominated work. - Its past projects include The War of the Worlds 50th Anniversary Production, Norman Corwin’s We Hold These Truths, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Centennial Production, Empire of the Air: The Men Who Made Radio and Agatha Christi’s BBC Murders. - Blackstone Publishing was founded in 1987 and says its catalog includes more than 21,000 books.

Between the lines: - The distribution strategy suggests a two-step launch: public radio first, then on-demand listening through a major audiobook and digital platform network. - The cast, original score and location-based sound design are positioned to make the production feel more like a film than a traditional radio drama. - Executive producer Judith Walcutt described the project as a “radio movie” and said the sound design was built to create more realism and dimensionality than studio-bound production.

What's next: - Treasure Island: A Telling for the New World is being packaged for a summertime rollout on public radio stations nationwide and for international broadcast outlets. - After broadcast, the series will be available for download through Blackstone-served platforms. - The project's social media account is available for updates.