What is a Podcast?
1 2018-04-21T00:00:14-07:00 Desiree Schmitt e630e5a827fa007be2dc313c10d5df871d92a382 29791 1 plain 2018-04-21T00:00:15-07:00 YouTube 2013-08-20T17:29:09.000Z oerm5Q_9u2A Interactive123 Desiree Schmitt e630e5a827fa007be2dc313c10d5df871d92a382This page is referenced by:
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The Podcast
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The podcast is an audio media broadcast medium which is distributed on the internet. Podcasting emerged as a viable technology in 2005, and is now recognized as an "integral part of the digital media landscape." (Bottomley 165) Podcasting and its supporting technologies were created by software developer Dave Winer (Bottomley 164). The podcast came into popularity thanks to former MTV video jockey Adam Curry's release of the Daily Source Code, recognized as "the first breakout podcast." (Bottomley 164) As of July 2013, tech company Apple had "surpassed the one billion subscriptions mark for podcasts via its iTunes platform." (Bottomley 164) Podcast audiences have continued to grow since the medium's inception, with listenership doubling from 2008 to 2015 (Bottomley 165).
The word ‘podcast’ is recognized as an amalgam of the words ‘iPod’ and ‘broadcast’ (Gaden). Most simply, the podcast can be most understood as an extension of the radio, however, there are distinct technological differences (Barry 8). Bottomley explains that "podcasting refers to digital audio files (e.g., MP3s) delivered via RSS to an Internet-connected computer or portable media player." (166) Gaden elaborates:
The podcast medium is flexible - podcasts can be scripted or unscripted, hosted by one or multiple people, can be self-produced, uploaded and downloaded for free, and can be profitable. There exist no regulations about the content of, or, content providers of podcasts (with the exception of those living with regulated or restricted internet access). At a minimum, podcasting requires three steps of a podcaster: making, editing, and transcribing (Gaden). Podcasts are recognized as both "independent, amateur productions originating outside the traditional media industries" as well as "established media personalities and institutions." (Bottomley 166)Podcasters create digital-media files and upload them to their website where users can listen to them directly from the website or download them to their Mp3 player to listen to later on. Podcasts have also become connected with RRS feed technology which allows uses to subscribe to a podcast they particularly enjoy, whereby additional instalments are downloaded (to their iTunes or other digital media player application).
Barry concurs with Bottomley in stating that "podcasting can perform both as a distributor of commercial works and a source of disruptive innovation and alternative participatory practice." (18) The podcast is recognized as simultaneously "a platform, an object (the 'podcast' itself) and a collection of practices part of a ecology of digital practices." (Barry 18)
