Today is Throwback Thursday alright. If you’re at the Podcast Movement conference in Dallas this week, today’s classic blog post may bring a smile in your face.
It’s a trip back in time to 2016 – not all that long ago. But in the trajectory of the podcasting industry, it may as well be light years ago. Podcasting has come a long way during the past six years. And as you read my “take” on my very first Podcast Movement event, my naivete is on display, too. In retrospect, there are some good the medium will be six years from now is anybody’s guess. Podcasting has grown in influence – and in financial clout. The platform now generates $2 billion a year, and analysts envision more growth moving forward.
Thobservations here. But in other areas, you might shake your head when you read my perspective.
I was very upbeat by the possibilities for podcasting and for ways radio broadcasters might forge collaborations. The warning signs were there, too. Back in 2016, many of today’s big money players weren’t in attendance. Most attendees appeared to be the hobbyists, producing their podcasts for the thrill of self-expression and creative endeavors. Some of those folks are in Dallas this week, but podcasting has grown up.
Wheree slide shown in the post from our Techsurvey in 2016 reveals that one-fifth (20%) of our core radio sample back then listened to podcasts weekly or more often. In our newest 2022 study, three in ten now spend time listening to podcasts at least weekly. Progress? Definitely. Still, more than 60% of our respondents listen to podcasts less often than monthly or not at all. That’s an indicator that podcasting is still not a mainstream medium.
But there’s been one constant through all the changes at Podcast Movement. Seth Resler (pictured in the montage below) has been on hand each year to host his highly entertaining and insightful Podcast Makeover session. With the help of a celebrity panel, Seth has moderated helpful critiques of fledgling podcasts. He’ll be on the Podcast Movement stage today in Dallas.
In the meantime, there are more chapters to be written in the podcast saga. Stay tuned. – FJ
September 2016
It’s amazing when events come together that remind you that something very big may be happening. I spent the latter part of last week in Chicago at the Podcast Movement conference. It was my first, and I was excited to be in an atmosphere that radiated energy and optimism. Audio is most certainly enjoying a renaissance, and podcasting is a contributing factor.
On the way home, I ran across an article in LinkedIn by Pacific Content’s Steve Pratt: “Podcasting Is Having Its HBO Moment And Its Netflix Moment At The Same Time.” It resonated for me because it outlined the key challenges and opportunities facing podcasting at this pivotal time in its history.
You got that feeling throughout the many great sessions at Podcast Movement, where seemingly everyone wants to launch their own podcast (or already has). Pratt says there have been two waves of podcasting:
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First Wave – Democratization of Audio
This wave started way back at the beginning of the podcasting craze. The barrier to entry was low, and anyone could create a podcast in their basement or bedroom. Of course, this wave produced a lot of podcasts that were wild, unedited, self-indulgent, and not very good.
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Second Wave – The HBO & Netflix Moments
Pratt says this next wave was facilitated by Apple’s Podcasts app, along with the launch of the seminal Serial podcast. These events redefined podcasting, ushering in quality programming.
And his graphic below does a beautiful job of describing how our brains are being rewired by the power of on-demand, especially when it comes to the television revolution. An exponentially growing number of consumers have changed the way they watch TV over the past few years, opting for watching want they want, when they want, wherever they want. And these patterns are porting over to the radio business with podcasting being the platform that’s analogous to Netflix:
Our research reveals this same phenomenon. There is a direct relationship between those who have become accustomed to watching their favorite shows and videos via on-demand platforms, and those who are now moving in this same direction with audio. Among the most regular consumers of podcasts and on-demand programming – those who listen weekly – we’re seeing the most robust metrics who regularly use television platforms like Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. What’s happening in television is clearly impacting audio consumption, and ultimately, radio listening:
It is also noteworthy that the most committed podcasting and on-demand audio consumers skew young. And that was reflected in the crowd at Podcast Movement. Not only are the heaviest podcast listeners Millennials, but it also appeared that many of the attendees hail from that generation, too. That’s a big part of what makes this space and this conference so exciting. Exuberance, optimism, and passion are all ingredients that were very evident at Podcast Movement.
But change is in the air. The subtitle of Pratt’s article is worth considering, because as he points to podcasting’s powerful potential, he also throws out a caution:
Why Your Company Should NOT Make Your Own Podcast
And so today, Pratt says there’s a “blue ocean” of podcasting, meaning the space is wide open. But the implications of the HBO and Netflix phenomena for podcasting are now morphing into a demand for quality. And that’s where so many of the fledgling podcasters at Podcast Movement have much room for growth. The “Wild West” days may be rapidly coming to an end as podcasting becomes even more accessible on Android phones.
At the conference, professional podcasters such as Roman Mars and Tom Leykis were in attendance. And Audible’s Eric Nuzum presented his company’s new vision for on-demand programming – a series of what will become 40 “Originals.” Eric rolled out several of these – well-crafted programs that are designed to enchant and surprise.
The essence of Audible’s initiative is to “create best-in-class audio programs, then connect them to the audience most likely to love them.” For a company launched by Amazon, and run by a pro like Nuzum, that’s an achievable goal.
For the other 97% of podcasters in attendance, that’s a much more difficult standard to aspire to. And that’s why Pratt makes the point that so many podcasts aren’t ready for prime time. They reflect a certain grassroots creativity that is charming, but the quest for quality and professionalism makes the space difficult to navigate.
At Podcast Movement, producers, talent, and writers ran the gamut, featuring long tail programs that might be about health and wellness, woodworking, car loans, or scrapbooking. Many are still caught up in Pratt’s “first wave,” unable to make the leap into the league of critical mass that translates to large audiences and sustainable profits.
Nuzum compares the state of the art of podcasting today to a flea market. You have to sift and rummage your way through a lot of crap in order to find content that truly is enjoyable and worthy of your time.
We saw this up close in Seth Resler’s “Podcast Makeover” session at the conference. Seth brought on two fledgling podcasters, and moderated a live aircheck session featuring Tom Leykis, Valerie Geller, Doug Berman (Executive Producer of NPR’s Car Talk and Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!, and Spreaker’s Rob Greenlee. It was a great session, but underscored the notion that many podcasters have a great deal to learn about prep, interviewing techniques, editing, and other fundamentals key to creating compelling audio content.
And that’s why the radio broadcasting industry is at an inflection point with podcasting. Yes, public radio has led the way, but largely by repurposing its already sticky and well-produced programming like This American Life and Fresh Air. The ability to create fresh new on-demand content like what WNYC is doing or NPR has accomplished with Invisibilia is where the potential lies.
And with a serious commitment from commercial broadcasters, radio could be part of a “third wave,” where stations are able to meld their talent with its built-in production know-how and experienced sellers. Given the seismic shift toward on-demand programming, radio has the great potential to create more diverse content, escape the pressure of ratings, use its mighty reach to attract consumers, and generate serious profits.
For me and others who come out of the radio industry, that was the promise and potential of this conference, one that we will most certainly return to, bringing others along with us.
Podcasting – is it a movement, a moment, or something altogether different? That’s where we’re headed.
For a look at the spirit of Podcast Movement 2016, check out this short video:
We’ve also launched our own podcast, the DASH Podcast series featuring backstage interviews from the DASH Conference with movers & shakers in and around the auto industry.
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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Fred: Can’t believe how poorly this new “Movement” reacted to Ben Shapiro and the Daily Wire yesterday…… good grief…….. Not a very impressive display of the free exchange of ideas everybody is so proud to talk about. What if Rogan himself had showed up? I can’t even imagine what would have happened. Again I say, good grief.
Since you posted this comment, Phil, I have read a number of stories about this “incident.” And I don’t quite understand what the fuss was about. Had Joe Rogan or Sean Hannity shown up, would it have caused a similar reaction? Still digging. And thanks.
New marketing slogan for podcasting:
“Talk as much or as long as you want but keep your thoughts to yourself”
If only you had thought of this earlier, Barry. 🙂
Your article was extremely interesting. That it appears in 2022 is so “radio.”
I attended CES in 2001, giving a talk on the convergence of radio and digital – something I believe was a no-brainer. I was wrong.
Gary Fries would follow up from 2005-2006 with statements that were fabrications of radio’s ear-candy. Examples:
“New media is going to be part of the environment of the future, and we need to figure out how we are going to integrate with new media. How much time are we spending talking about this?”
This is April, 2006. But let’s take a quick look at other comments Mr. Fries made through 2005; you’d have thought the radio industry was well on its way.
July, 2005 on the flat revenue for Q2 2005:
“The Radio industry is very actively and aggressively pursuing
new technologies, formats, and platforms which will drive the
business as we move forward into the second half of 2005 and
into 2006.”
July 5, 2005 – May Revenue: “Looking forward, we anticipate that
Radio revenue will continue to progress as a direct result of the
significant programming, operational, and business advancements
that are being implemented by the industry.”
June 3, 2005 – April Revenue: “Radio’s growth is on the horizon
as recently introduced technologies, programming formats, and
advertising platforms take root and propel the industry forward.”
April 28, 2005 – March Revenue: “Radio is evolving at a rapid
pace, both technologically and creatively… Growth should
remain steady throughout the year, as the medium and its
advertisers explore how to maximize the advantages emerging
from this new landscape.”
None were true. While trying to explain podcasting at the 2008 NAB/RAB show, I was literally laughed at by the room of radio insiders – who couldn’t grasp that a podcast was not something you uploaded to be downloaded by a listener, but that it was an automatically downloaded software-backed episodic program.
Of course Millennials get it. They also don’t listen to radio, and are excited by what digital presents.
I produced “podcasts” from 2006-2016. – http://audiographics.com/podcasts.htm Then retired.
To see folks in radio getting excited about podcasting today brings back memories of when Google offered to sell unsold ad avails for radio in 2006, and had the entire industry turn its back on that offer – imagine if the industry had embraced what Google knew back then, and how much farther along it would be in its “digital transition.”
The podcast movement does not belong to radio. Yet we see, in nearly every trade magazine how radio is embracing it as “audio.”
The echoes of sales people laughing at the question of “what are you planning for radio, relative to digital” still ring in my head. Even though this was being asked in the mid-2000s, it still brings an anger to me that radio could have been on an upward trajectory if someone in the executive suite had taken this whole movement seriously nearly 20 years. ago.
Ken, thank you for the well-constructed walk through radio’s checkered history. In addition, due to a lack of understanding of tech (as you point out about podcasting), most broadcasters failure to “keep up” by being curious, attending events like CES, and “attacking themselves” is lamentable. Too often, radio broadcasters have taken a “wait & see” approach to new technology – to their detriment. The end result has been fatal.