Podcasting can be considered as a distribution of audio or video files, for example, radio or music recordings, over the Internet utilizing either RSS or Atom partnership for tuning in on mobile and PCs. A podcast is a web feed of audio or video documents available on the Internet for anybody to download or buy.
Podcasters' websites may also offer direct download of their files, however, the membership feed of automatically delivered new content is the thing that differs a podcast from a simple download or real-time streaming. Generally, the podcast highlights one sort of "show" with new scenes either irregularly or at arranged intervals, for example, day by day, week after week, and so on.
Other than that there are podcast files networks that highlight numerous shows on a similar feed. Podcast’s essence lies in developing content (audio as well as video) for a crowd of people that wants to listen when they need, where they need, and how they need.
As the podcasting innovation started gaining fame in the early 2000s, the applications of podcasting grew significantly from simply delivering the content to also creative and responsive purposes. Podcasts have evolved to have been used across various segments such as education, news, sports, entertainment, and others.
Recently, newspapers have started using podcasts to broadcast audio content from various interviews that are printed and thus, successful in driving traffic to their websites. In 2005, the first major daily newspaper to start podcasting using an external website is the San Francisco Chronicle.
South China Morning Post, one of the leading newspapers of Hong Kong is the first newspaper in the world to start podcasting using its own website. In the last few years, it has been seen that growing adoption of podcasts for news distribution has been wider, because of the major news media such as The New York Times and CNN have adopted the podcast innovation as a part of their services.
In the year 2005, unofficial podcasts for leading sports teams have been introduced, giving fans both internal and external of the teams’ direct broadcast areas. In the age of social media, almost every athlete has their social medial channels that are very short form.
On the other hand, podcasting is a longer form and a more personal platform. If an athlete can reach the ears of his fan many times in years that will a good opportunity to connect with the fan and also increase the fan base.
There are numerous uses of podcasting for the students. They can be utilized to deliver significant information from the teacher or trainer, inspirational stories, and audio case studies. Learners also use the podcast as artifacts and evidence of learning. Moreover, podcasts can also be utilized as a way of self-reflection on the learning processes or products. Podcasts can assist absent students to stay on the same page.
Absent students can also utilize podcasts to watch class lectures, daily activities, homework, handouts, and much more. Also, many students prefer to use podcasts as a supplement to lecture materials. Podcasts are used by students before the class to gain a better understanding of the upcoming lecture.
This thing makes them more confident and much more prepared beforehand. Podcasts assist students to prepare better for the class and encourage healthy discussions. Lastly, disabled students and students who do not have English as their first language can use podcasts because they can listen to the content again and again.
In the U.S, both leading political parties have several podcasts. White House RSS feed is one of the popular podcasts that convey President Weekly Addresses, White House Speeches, White House features, and White House Press Briefings. Various other personalities associated with politics also use podcasts that explore political themes. Many political personalities have found podcasts as an effective medium for social and political commentary.
Due to consumer interest in customized media, we are probably going to see massive growth in podcasting. In addition, podcasting will also see getting more public acceptance. This development and growth are driven by the convergence and improved capabilities of gadgets such as smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and MP3 players. Listeners of podcasts have shifted from computer to iPod to smartphone. In the next few years, it’s probable that listening will occur across all connected media devices.
For numerous media organizations, podcasts will continue to offer passive and potentially significant income streams. The podcasting industry is constantly evolving and new methods to distribute, monetize, and analyze the content of podcasts can be anticipated to appear in the upcoming years. For podcasting, the modern era is bound to be interesting. The Global Podcasting Market size is expected to rise at a market growth of 24.6% CAGR during the forecast period.
