My Podcast Experience

April 14th, 2006

Technology A recent article mentioned that although many people download podcasts, the actual number of people listening to them isn’t high. I think this is more or less accurate when thinking about my own podcast listening habits. For starter, there are specific reasons why I listen to them:

I own an iPod.
I’ve always had an affinity for talk radio.
I’m into technology.
I have a long commute via mass transit.

All four of these criteria must occur in conjunction. I think if any one were eliminated, I’d stop listening to podcasts in a heartbeat. Let me break each down a bit further:

1. I own an iPod. The portability factor of the iPod makes the time-shifting (think Tivo) aspect of podcasts compelling to me. When I’m parked in front of the computer at home or work, I usually listen to music stored locally or streaming audio, not the iPod, and usually not podcasts, either. Maybe it’s just me, but the iPod and the podcast are linked in my mind. As soon as I reach a destination with a computer, the iPod is unplugged and so are the podcasts.

2. I’ve always had an affinity for talk radio. I was already an NPR fan before podcasts, and over the years I’ve listened to KFI, Dr. Joy Browne, Phil Hendrie, even Rush. Most podcasts are essentially offshoots of the talk radio format, and if you aren’t already a talk radio fan, I highly doubt podcasts will turn you into one, either because of the niche subject matter or the unprofessional quality.

3. I’m into technology. To get the podcast concept, it helps if you’re already using a computer to manage a music library. I’ve demonstrated podcasts to people before, only to be met with “Why would I do this? I could just turn on the radio.” It takes a certain type of person is already managing digital media and syncing their iPod on a daily basis to really get into and take advantage of the technology.

4. I have a long commute via mass transit. I use an iPod during my long morning and evening commutes, which are about an hour each way. Frankly, if I drove, I’d listen to the radio. The iPod has a specific use for a specific time in my day.

I tend to download all the podcasts I’m currently subscribing to, sync to my iPod in the morning, and choose which ones to listen to during my commute. I regularly delete all the podcasts (including the ones I listened to) that evening. I’d say on an average day when I download about 10 podcasts, I probably listen to 3 or 4 of them. After reading the title of the podcast, if it’s a topic I’m not into, I don’t bother listening and that file is dispatched that evening.

Yes, it’s easy to download podcasts but frankly, I only listen to them for specific reasons which have nothing to do with the content; it’s usually about personal circumstance. My point is that I want to use media in a format condusive to my situation. I’m glad podcasts exist, but they aren’t any magic bullet causing me to digest more and more podcasts and become addicted to only them, forgoing all other delivery types.

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