Podcasting, describes the way technology can push audio content from websites down to consumers of that content, who typically listen to it on their iPod or other MP3 audio players. Podcasting is similar to the PVR – people can watch what they want and when they want by recording and storing; this time it is used for audio not video, and is currently free of charge. Note, however, that this technology can be used to push any kind of file, including software updates, pictures, and videos.
What makes podcasting special is that it allows individuals to publish (podcast) radioshows, that interested listeners can subscribe to. Before podcasting you could of course record a radio show and put it on your website, but now people can automatically receive new shows, without having to go to a specific site and download it from there. Podcasting is democratic; anyone with a microphone, a computor and a space on the internet can publish one.
What makes podcasting special is that it allows individuals to publish (podcast) radioshows, that interested listeners can subscribe to. Before podcasting you could of course record a radio show and put it on your website, but now people can automatically receive new shows, without having to go to a specific site and download it from there. Podcasting is democratic; anyone with a microphone, a computor and a space on the internet can publish one.
For industries this 'democracy' could be a threat; now radio can be made by anyone, without the need for broadcasting licences and specialist equipment. However, it also a way for them to reach their audiences more effectively. Virgin Radio and the BBC have been experimenting and have found it popular and likely to be accepted. The process of downloading means institutions can be accurately informed of the consumption of their content. With the rapid growth of podcasting, it is somethinhg industries are bound to exploit in the future. (especially the mobile phone industry; big storage + 3g high-speed connectivity, downloading and storing podcasts could become the norm). Copyright is a consistent problem for podcasters.
Recently, with the emmergence of video i-pods, podcasting has become a lot more video-based, and you can dowload video podcasts (for example, behind the scenes of extras, you can watch as Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant try to find a replacement for Jude Law in their programme). This means that podcasting is fitting into the pattern of other NMTs; personalisation, on-demand content and portability. There is no predetermined schedule for podcasts. Podcasts can cover a huge range of topics, and are increasingly targetting specialist or niche interests (narrowcasting). This is good for those with unheard of interests, but also a concern - how will audiences know what to consume with this much choice? and does quantity necessarily mean quality?
My example has been taken from the Times Online podcasts (downloaded from the i-tunes store) and is from Dom Joly’s series of ‘Dom Joly takes on the world’. This is a comedy piece where people get to choose what activity he takes on, and then has to talk about. Here he is going ‘Canyoning’ in Scotland which consists of jumping down rocks and waterfalls. The piece is quite funny, and part of a series which you can subscribe to.
Recently, with the emmergence of video i-pods, podcasting has become a lot more video-based, and you can dowload video podcasts (for example, behind the scenes of extras, you can watch as Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant try to find a replacement for Jude Law in their programme). This means that podcasting is fitting into the pattern of other NMTs; personalisation, on-demand content and portability. There is no predetermined schedule for podcasts. Podcasts can cover a huge range of topics, and are increasingly targetting specialist or niche interests (narrowcasting). This is good for those with unheard of interests, but also a concern - how will audiences know what to consume with this much choice? and does quantity necessarily mean quality?
My example has been taken from the Times Online podcasts (downloaded from the i-tunes store) and is from Dom Joly’s series of ‘Dom Joly takes on the world’. This is a comedy piece where people get to choose what activity he takes on, and then has to talk about. Here he is going ‘Canyoning’ in Scotland which consists of jumping down rocks and waterfalls. The piece is quite funny, and part of a series which you can subscribe to.
Key theories:
convenience, personalisation, narrowcasting, regulation, online surveillance, democratisatoin, reach, non-linear, portability.
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