According to an Edison Media Research report podcasting has risen 18 in 2006, to an astonishing 37 of podcast episodes are consumed on a PC, and were never transferred to a portable media device, like an Apple iPod. Many podcast are also streamed live on the internet, alleviating the need to download the actual audio file. Most podcasts contain audio only, but many are starting to include video content.

The term podcast: Where did it come from?

The term podcasting is quite confusing and misleading for many people. Like blogging before it, many people have heard of podcasting, but really don’t know what it entails. The “pod" within the term podcast was coined from the popular digital music player the iPod, and “cast" is short for broadcast. This term is also misleading, because an iPod is not necessary when listening to podcasts.

Use of podcasts

Podcasting’s initial aim was to create an avenue for the public to distribute personal radio style programs, but quickly spread to a wide variety of additional uses. Podcasts may be used to distribute corporate information, political agendas, audio tours, or provide public safety messages. Podcasting is also becoming especially popular in education. Podcasting enables teachers and faculty to communicate course curricula, assignments, and other pertinent information with parents on a regular basis.

How do people receive podcasts?

Many sites offer the option of directly downloading or streaming their podcasts, but podcasts have the ability to be automatically downloaded which is also known as syndication. The best way to obtain podcast programming is to use a podcast aggregator. A podcast aggregator is software used to subscribe and automatically receive podcasts that are syndicated. This ability to effortlessly and conveniently receive updated, relevant, and fresh content is part of what makes podcasting so powerful.

The future of podcasting

Consumer controlled content is clearly the future for both audio and video media outlets. With podcasting, consumers are in control of when, what, and how they want to listen to or view their daily programming. Podcast production and distribution is also less expensive than traditional media which has led to a proliferation of available podcast content. All over the world, a variety of people are creating podcasts on a diverse assortment of subjects ranging from the preparation of exotic cuisine, to music, to politics, and millions of other topics.