Indie Podcasting Decline?
Is indie podcasting on a downward trend? A recent article on MarketWatch says it is - "ABC, ESPN, the BBC, CNN and Air America account for 16 of the most popular shows. Public radio programs took another 16 slots. Only four of the top 20 were created by "amateurs." (These figures were based on iTunes’ popularity lists.) As these industry giants move in, will the "little guy" still be a podcast favorite? It’s hard to say, and possibly to soon to tell. Indie podcasts were what got the podcast movement started, but they are being edged out by the big competition as podcasts become more commercialized and accessible. As it stands right now, podcasting is still an indie "thing." (If you don’t believe me, just say the word "podcast" to your average AOL surfer and observe their dumbfounded expression.) However, with the popularity of iTunes and its ability to download podcasts, the reign of the indies could be coming to an end.
Do you have a favorite podcast? Is it an indie? Let’s take a poll! De-lurk now and comment!
P.S. A bug-me-not login to MarketWatch:
jumbo@phila.net
krakon
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Personally, I never got into the whole podcasting thing at all, and the couple I tried on iTunes didn’t work. Of course, I remember the day when I thought Netflix would never work too….
The thing about podcasting is that it got started because people were sick and tired of all the crap on public radio. It was listener demand. I want to believe that the hard core podcasters will stick to “their roots.” I have a friend who just started podcasting and he hates the fact that all the “professionals” are hoarding in on something that people created to get away from them. He’s got a point too!
I hope that there will always be (as itunes calls em) “indie” podcasters. I guess it’s up to the listeners to realize that if they want regular radio, just turn on the radio. If they want something unique, podcast.
I listen to a couple.
The Best Dam Tech Show Period(sounds like IT dept talking)
THIS WEEK IN TECH(The former screen savers podcast)
Dawn and Drew(Don’t know why i just keep listening)
Adam’s Daily Source Code(Just started to listen)
I think there needs to be a directory for podcasting with built in bit torrent support so listeners can share the big exspense Bandwidth. That will keep the indies independent. Come on Google.
I subscribe to about 20 podcasts daily but I am of course partial to my own podcast. Frankly the corporate podcasts while more often then not well produced, are the same crap we are forcefed but in a different package. Just my 2 cents.
I admit I listen to the Daily Source Code I also like the Gillmore Gang… Can’t take Dawn & Drew at all
My overall favorite “commercial” podcast is Smart City..
Joe Moraca
Sarasota Livin’