Podcasting has come out of nowhere to become the hottest thing in radio. While early adopters have enthusiastically embraced the concept of "radio on demand," for most people there's still a great deal of confusion about exactly what podcasting is, and the tremendous impact it can have on how people will think of radio in the near future.
What's in a name?
The term "podcasting," combines the words "iPod" and "broadcasting." Despite its etymology, though, podcasting does not require an iPod — or any kind of portable MP3 player. Podcasts are essentially MP3 files posted to the web, done in the same way new blogs are posted. Your computer automatically checks the podcast sites to which you've "subscribed." When a new podcast is detected, your PC downloads it to your media player.
The reason the iPod is associated with the process is that, once the new podcast is stored as an MP3 file on your PC's media player, you can transfer it to your portable MP3 player. For most podcast listeners, this is the preferred way to enjoy their favorite programs — when and where they want to listen.
How do I get podcasts?
The first step to getting into the world of podcasting is to get an aggregator, which is a program that will automatically check the web and collect the new posts of the shows you're interested in. One such program, called the iPodder, is a free download from www.iPodder.org, a site that also serves as a good introduction to the podcasting scene.
If you use a Mac, the iPodderX is another good choice. Its interface mimics that of iTunes, which makes it easier to manage your subscriptions (as well as check out new programs) if you're familiar with the iTunes program.
Once installed, you load in the addresses of the podcasts you're interested in. Adding a podcast's URL to your aggregator is called "subscribing" (usually for free). Being a subscriber simply means you'll be receiving new editions of the podcast when they're available. Finding podcasts is easy. The iPodder.org site, being the oldest, has a fairly extensive directory of podcasts. Other directory sites such as www.podcast.net and www.ipodderx.com also have extensive listings. Set the iPodder for the times you want it to check the web, and then just wait for the new shows to appear in your iTunes directory!
So what's out there?
Right now the world of podcasting is wide open. Podcasts vary greatly in sound quality, production values and content. Some are professionally produced, some are labors of love, and other make the case for outside editorial control! Fortunately, you can usually audition a podcast before subscribing, and unsubscribing is as simple as deleting the podcast's URL from your iPodder. Exploring this amazing world of audio (over 3,000 podcasts available as of this writing), is easy and fun — limited only by the amount of free time you have!
What's in a name?
The term "podcasting," combines the words "iPod" and "broadcasting." Despite its etymology, though, podcasting does not require an iPod — or any kind of portable MP3 player. Podcasts are essentially MP3 files posted to the web, done in the same way new blogs are posted. Your computer automatically checks the podcast sites to which you've "subscribed." When a new podcast is detected, your PC downloads it to your media player.
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The reason the iPod is associated with the process is that, once the new podcast is stored as an MP3 file on your PC's media player, you can transfer it to your portable MP3 player. For most podcast listeners, this is the preferred way to enjoy their favorite programs — when and where they want to listen.
How do I get podcasts?
The first step to getting into the world of podcasting is to get an aggregator, which is a program that will automatically check the web and collect the new posts of the shows you're interested in. One such program, called the iPodder, is a free download from www.iPodder.org, a site that also serves as a good introduction to the podcasting scene.
If you use a Mac, the iPodderX is another good choice. Its interface mimics that of iTunes, which makes it easier to manage your subscriptions (as well as check out new programs) if you're familiar with the iTunes program.
 iPodderX mimics the functionality and layout of iTunes. |
Once installed, you load in the addresses of the podcasts you're interested in. Adding a podcast's URL to your aggregator is called "subscribing" (usually for free). Being a subscriber simply means you'll be receiving new editions of the podcast when they're available. Finding podcasts is easy. The iPodder.org site, being the oldest, has a fairly extensive directory of podcasts. Other directory sites such as www.podcast.net and www.ipodderx.com also have extensive listings. Set the iPodder for the times you want it to check the web, and then just wait for the new shows to appear in your iTunes directory!
So what's out there?
Right now the world of podcasting is wide open. Podcasts vary greatly in sound quality, production values and content. Some are professionally produced, some are labors of love, and other make the case for outside editorial control! Fortunately, you can usually audition a podcast before subscribing, and unsubscribing is as simple as deleting the podcast's URL from your iPodder. Exploring this amazing world of audio (over 3,000 podcasts available as of this writing), is easy and fun — limited only by the amount of free time you have!
DIY radio
The majority of podcasts created for Internet distribution are by individuals working in the privacy of their own homes. While this can be "DIY" (do-it-yourself) at its worst, some of these programs actually approach broadcast quality. Adam Curry's "Daily Source Code" betrays his professional background as a radio personality and MTV-VJ. "Coverville" is a half-hour program hosted by software programmer Brian Ibbott devoted exclusively to cover versions of songs, both famous and obscure. Although Ibbott occasionally does some radio no-nos (coughing into the mic, family members walking into the room), his delivery is inviting, and his choice of material makes this a favorite podcast for thousands.
 Like many other podcasts, you can subscribe to Coverville either through a directory link, or directly from its website. |
All kinds of music can be found in podcasts, although there are some licensing issues with ASCAP and BMI that currently curtail this somewhat. Some fledgling artists and labels are using podcasts to break new music that is not represented by these performance rights organizations. An entire subgenre of "podsafe" music sites (music not represented by the Recording Industry Association of America) have sprung into existence, allowing subscribers to download and share new music without fear of legal action. As a result, podcasting is rapidly becoming an important source for breaking new music.
The bulk of podcasts currently remain talk shows. These kinds of podcasts are the easiest to produce, and in some cases represent the evolution of a blog from the written word to an audio feed. All kinds of review programs are available, from movie reviews, to sports, to investment advice. A number of churches regularly post sermons and inspirational programming, and other religions and philosophies are represented as well. There are several tech and computer-oriented programs, and, of course, some programs that can only be described as rants.
As of this writing, the hottest talk show is "The Dawn and Drew Show" podcast. The program is just banter between a youngish ex-punk married couple from the comfort of their Wisconsin farmhouse — it's programming that wouldn't last a minute on commercial radio. And yet, their wit, their chemistry and above all, their indie hipness have made Dawn Miceli and Drew Domkus the stars of podcasting, with an international subscriber base of over 11,000 listeners.
Podcasting doesn't fall under the jurisdiction of the FCC, so like satellite radio, anything goes. Dawn and Drew occasionally venture into material that would mean big fines for Howard Stern. While some podcasts remain "clean," others revel in the freedom to talk explicitly about adult-oriented topics. Not having to worry about censorship, though, has given many podcasts an almost stream-of-consciousness feel that has, if not technical polish, an attraction all its own.
Community radio podcasting
Several non-NPR public stations have also jumped into the field, making their unique programming available to the world. Radio stations have had mixed success streaming their signals over the Internet. The biggest problem is bandwidth — even with expensive T1 cables, the number of listeners who can tune in simultaneously is usually measured in the hundreds. Podcast downloads, which are quick connections (usually the time between sign-on and sign-off is a few seconds), don't strain servers the way streaming can. This allows these community stations to offer their wonderfully eclectic programming to listeners worldwide— in some cases, the number of podcast subscribers can approach the size of the program's broadcast audience.
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Public radio podcasting
Although in operation less than a year, podcasts have attracted audiences that number in the thousands — in some cases tens of thousands. Broadcast radio has begun to take notice, especially public radio. Some of the most professional-sounding podscasts are those offered by the larger public radio stations. Usually these stations make available programs they've produced for national syndication as podcasts. WNYC in New York City, for example, has done this with some of its arts and talk programs. One of WNYC's productions, "On the Media," has seen its online audience double almost overnight once it became available as a podcast.
The Public Radio Exchange was founded to give producers of public radio programs a showcase where stations could audition new shows for distribution. Stations only have 24 hours a day available to program, however, and every minute is already programmed. Thus, despite the quality of the offerings, many PRX programs remained without a home. By making select programs available as podcasts, the PRX has bypassed the broadcast bottleneck and made these shows directly available to the public. As a side benefit, shows with a large number of subscribers can have a better chance of being picked up by a station, as the success of the show's podcast provides a concrete demonstration of its appeal — and provides a built-in audience for the show.
So what does this mean for me?
The potential cultural impact of podcasting to radio listening has been likened to that of the digital video recorder (DVR) for TV viewing. With a DVR, you can record a TV program when it's broadcast, and watch it when you choose. You can pause, rewind and fast-forward through the program once it's in your DVR. Podcasts are the same. Once downloaded to your media player, you can listen to the program at your convenience. You can pause, fast-forward and rewind the program — you can listen to the podcast repeatedly, or delete it out of your player. In other words, with podcasting you now have the ability to time-shift audio programming just as you do video.
 Is this the radio dial of the future? |
Consider this scenario: while you're checking your e-mail at night, your iPodderX program collects and downloads the latest installments of the podcasts to which you've subscribed. In the morning, you transfer the new shows to your iPod. You plug your iPod into your car's audio system, and you're ready for your morning commute. During your commute, you can listen to your new shows — no commercials, no interruptions. Depending on how many podcasts you subscribe to, you could catch up on some listening at work, and still have some new programs to listen to during the drive home.
With podcasting, the concepts of "audio on demand" and "freedom of speech" come together. Your iPod is no longer limited to just your record collection — or even content provided by big media companies. It can now be your radio, with an almost unlimited variety of programming available that's as individualistic as you are. And this is just the beginning.
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A short list of podcast websites
With over 3,000 podcasts (as of this writing) and more being added almost daily, the following is just a fraction of the variety of programming and resources available.
Aggregator programs
iPodder 1.0 The original podcast aggregator program, iPodder is available for Windows, Mac and Linux platforms.
iPodderX Designed for Macs, the iPodderX program can interface not only with iTunes, but with iPhoto, so you can watch movies as well as listen to audio directly in iPodderX.
iTunes 4.9. Apple's iTunes 4.9 comes with an integrated aggregator that seamlessly interacts with the other iTunes features, such as its Music Store. iTunes 4.9 is available for Mac and Windows platforms.
Podcast Directories
iPodder.org Programs are divided into folders. You can drill down into the folders, but there's no way to search for a show by title.
iPodderX Programs can be searched for by category; there's also a general search box.
Podcast Alley Programs can be searched for by genre, as well as keywords. There are also lists of the top 50 podcasts, the top 10 voted podcasts, and detailed information about featured podcasts.
Podcasts
Coverville Brian Ibbott focuses on cover versions of songs both famous and obscure. A half hour program delivered three times a week, "Coverville" often leaves its listeners wanting more.
Daily Source Code Adam Curry is credited with developing the first version of the podcast program, and continues to be a primary and highly visible proponent of the genre. His daily postings in many ways set the standard for podcasts.
The Dawn and Drew Show These married ex-punkers just talk to each other — and hold their audiences spellbound. This show consistently shows up on podcast top 10 lists.
On the Media With that classic NPR sound, this highly polished program of weekly media analysis is now available as a podcast. "On the Media" has been broadcast for several years over many public radio stations, giving it an already large built-in audience.
Reel Reviews: Films Worth Watching Each program Michael W. Geoghegan discusses a movie currently available on DVD that he thinks is worth seeing. His reviews cover the story, flesh out the background of the film, and examine in detail the technical artistry that makes the movie. Geoghegan covers classic films as well as cult favorites and more.
Rock and Roll Geek Show Bassist for the metal band American Heartbreak, Michael Butler blends his vast knowledge of rock and roll with highly opinionated commentary and rockin' music too intense for commercial radio.
Thomas Edison's Attic The oldest recordings on the newest media! Jerry Fabris, audio curator of the Edison National Historic Site, shares rare recordings from the collection in this bi-weekly radio program broadcast on WFMU. The recordings, ranging from vaudeville to classical, all date from 1888 to 1929 and present an entertaining look at a bygone era.
The podcast logos used in this article were created by Tim Madden, and are available for fair use purposes on his website.
timmadden.com.au