Posted on 10/28/2006 7:44:17 AM PDT by PJ-Comix
Remember all the hype last year about how big Audio Podcasting was going to be? Even I bought into the hype and did a few audio podcasts. Well, it turned out that audio podcasting was a big FLOP. Why? I think there are several reasons.
1. Attention span---Most people don't want to just sit there listening to someone prattle on for more than a couple of minutes. They have better things to do.
2. Boredom---Most audio podcasts are just flat out BORING. If folks want to listen to somebody, much more interesting to listen to Rush or Laura Ingraham.
3. YouTube---When YouTube kicked in last year, that pretty much killed whatever appeal there might be for audio podcasting. Much MORE interesting to watch a video than listen to an audio.
Podcasting isn't a flop. There are more subscribed-to podcasts now than ever.
The "problem" is that there are so many that rely solely on high ratings on iTunes for exposure that many never get noticed.
I've got subscriptions to about 10-12 podcasts and listen to them when I can.
I'd say that's a big reason there. Of course I don't even have an ipod lol.
I wrote AUDIO podcasting. More specifically I should have stated spoken audio. Music podcasting is okay. But the spoken podcasts are a big flop.
Sigh! You DON'T need an iPod to listen to a podcast.
Au contraire -- I regularly listen to Hugh Hewitt via Podcast (1 day delay) during my commute.
He's not on the air in my local radio market. :(
LOL! Shows how much I know on the subject!
Yes, I'm talking about spoken word podcasting too. Again, I subscribe to 10-12 shows of such a format.
Actually, I'll do you one better than simply telling you that I subscribe: I'll tell you which podcasts I subscribe to.
DS:Life
ESPN 1st and 15
IGN Games
KFI Tech Guy
MacBreak Weekly
Profootballtalk.com Weekly Podcast
Rush 24/7 Podcast
New Adventures of the GAFcast
This Week in Tech
WSJ's Your Money Matters
They're all listed on iTunes, Profootballtalk.com and Rush 24/7 excepted. Look 'em up.
Okay. Let me get MORE specfic. I don't mean audio podcasts of regular radio talk show hosts. I mean audio podcasting by regular folks on the web. That is what has flopped bigtime.
But those don't seem to be amateur podcasts. Text blogs are very popular but the audio versions seemed to have flopped. Maybe it is because people prefer to READ the blogs rather than hear them.
DS:Life, GAFcast, PFT are all amateur podcasts. IGN could be classified as amateur, given that podcasts are an aside to their primary function.
Like I said, the issue with podcasting is that there are so many of them and so few prominent spots on iTunes.
Oh. Well. Duh.
I have no more interest in listening to some clown drone on than I do in reading what he writes on FR. :)
Got to know when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em.
Maybe you're talking about talk show podcasting but what about music show podcasting? For example I run the site for the college/non-comm. station I've been at for over 25 years and I podcast shows I do (Juke Joint--blues music) as well as other shows (jazz, alternative). People can listen on their comp. as they surf (I put them in as clickable links as well as downloadable files) or put on their mp3 player, mini-disc (a rarely used format) or CD-R.
http://www.wmwmsalem.com and look for Podcasts
I have a cheapo mp3 player (a SanDisc that cost $50 after
rebate) and have found that it's very convenient to listen
to (while at work, etc.) Music shows sound fine on it.
And earlier this week I was unable to listen to the Howie
Carr show (as I was showing a friend of mine from Ohio
around Boston) so I taped it as an mp3 file and listened
on my own later. Just fine (and I could FF thru
ads!)
and of course I-pod is just Apple's version of the mp3 player but I think it's becoming a generic name...just like "I'm
going to the frigidaire" (...by GE), or "I'll xerox this"
(on a Ricoh copier).** People might just refer to their SanDisc,
Sony, RCA (Lyra), or other brand as an Ipod.
**--years ago, the folks at Muzak were upset that people
were referring to "elevator music" in general as Muzak, even
if it was by another company. They took out an ad in
trade publications: Muzak--Don't Say It If You Don't Mean It.
As in, just because you say it's "muzak" doesn't mean it's
by them...
When it comes to podcasts, it is interesting hear what people are putting out there. Most of the stuff done by amateurs or everyday people - like an audio blog - are dull, lack personality and charisma. Podcasting should be approached in the same manner as radio production, this means good imaging, focused dialogue, real features and regular breaks for the listener to digest the info.
Remember that old saying 'video Killed the Radio Star' - YouTube may be big, but notice how Digital services are giving radio a resurgence - it's just a matter of time before podcasts actually get the love and attention of production they deserve
You're wrong. Podcasting is not a flop. It's huge and growing. Proved? I think not. WADR - Do some research before you post nonsense.
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