AFTER ALL, WILL SO MANY PODCASTS SATURATE THE MARKET? UNDERSTAND

In recent times, podcasts have won the hearts of many people, because the format is innovative and allows users to follow the best programs at any time and anywhere. When it emerged, it was compared to radio, since like this means of communication, it is made in audio format. Unlike radio, however, podcasts are recorded and can be listened to at any time.

It was this idea of ​​being able to listen whenever and however you want that made this method so beloved. It, however, has been explored since it emerged, with programs in different niches, in different formats and with different objectives. It was used to tell stories, as a communication vehicle, as investigative programs, among many others.

Due to the inappropriate use of podcasts around the world, many people have started to question the future of this communication model. The burning question is: after so many podcasts produced, on different subjects, is this model saturated? What is the future of podcasting?

With that in mind, below, we explain better what a podcast is and whether or not this means of communication can come to an end.

What is podcast?

Before knowing whether podcasts are saturated and whether this model will come to an end, it is necessary to understand what a podcast is. Since it emerged, it has been confused and compared with radio thousands of times, but its production and objective are very different from this well-known and ancient model of communication.

The podcast is audio content, made on demand and can be listened to at any time, in addition to being possible to pause the content and resume it at another time. It works like a video, however, we only have the audio, but the functions of pausing, skipping, among others, are available.

The format became popular due to its ease of production, its high communication power and the possibility for listeners to listen whenever they want and wherever they want. A podcast is stored on streaming sites or other types of sites where audio can be stored. Currently, there are podcasts available even on YouTube and some with live broadcast, something that has brought this model even closer to radio.

As soon as it emerged, podcasts were only available on the suppliers’ websites, platforms that allowed the user to download the content or listen online, but only on their server. This made it difficult to access the content, which would go against the idea of ​​the podcast itself, which was to be accessible to everyone anywhere and at any time.

In 2004, however, Adam Curry created podcast aggregators, which allow programs to be saved on other servers, facilitating access to content. Even though the idea of ​​podcasts emerged in the early 2000s, this model became popular years later.

Where to listen to the best podcasts?

Currently, as mentioned, podcasts are hosted on streaming platforms and on websites and servers specific to this model. With this, you can listen to the best podcasts directly from your cell phones, computers, tablets and other devices, as long as you have internet access. Furthermore, some of these platforms allow users to download content, further ensuring ease of consumption of podcasts.

Even though it is possible to download a podcast, the data consumption of this type of content is low, which ensures that anyone can access it. In fact, this is one of the advantages of podcasts in relation to other audiovisual content such as videos, which consume much more packet data than audio. Furthermore, some cell phone operators do not charge for podcasts, meaning you can consume them without using up your internet data.

But after all, are podcasts close to the end?

The burning question: after all, is the podcast close to the end or not? Because the answer is as simple as the podcast itself, no, the podcast is not about to end. As we said previously, podcasts were created in the early 2000s, with a much simpler format than what we know and with hosting only on the creators’ servers.

Years later, they gained new formats, conquered new niches and began to be hosted on major streaming platforms. This shows us that the podcast has existed for more than 20 years and, until now, it has not come to an end and will not come to an end. This is because technology is evolving more and more and this model is keeping up with these developments. It is possible to say that 10 years from now, for example, this communication model will exist, but in a different format, using new technologies, with a new type of storytelling, among other types of changes.

Just like the podcast, other models will also adapt to technological changes, such as video, which has already undergone several changes and, currently, lives are the most popular type of audiovisual content.

Furthermore, although thousands of podcasts are created and published every day, the content is not saturated. This is because each creator has a different vision of the topic and will always have people who want to know more about that subject. Furthermore, the themes are momentary and can change as society’s interests change. For example, today the subject is the most famous series, but tomorrow the public may be interested in films or even the most famous series may change.

In short, podcasts are not close to ending, what could end is the way we produce and consume this content. This is because in a few years, new technologies will emerge, allowing us to experience such content in a different way. Therefore, it is never too late to invest in podcasts, you just need to be aware of the market and new trends for this model. Now that you know everything about podcasts and whether this communication model is coming to an end or not, it’s time to start your own program