Is podcasting dead yet?

[lyzz]

I don't quite get it. Podcasting seems to be taking off with a lot of users, listeners, etc.

But, for example, take these forums. I'm not sure what's happening but there seems to be so few active users... Some of the subforums have been for like two weeks without a single post.
Any ideas why?

[AaronfromQC]

It's the holiday season and just about everything podcasting related slows down. Give it time, things will speed back up.

[mdattilo]

Also, like many of the forums out there, the PCA forums have attracted "regulars" who are podcasters. There may be 20,000 or so podcasts, but that's a fairly small community of people compared to say, IT folks who spend time on /.

Most people who are podcasters have day jobs. Add the time spent podcasting and there's not a lot left over for hangning in the forums. The "hot issues" that arise from a new medium are becoming a little more rare. Remember the big stink about Podshow vs. indie podcasting? No one seems to care now (or maybe I'm just talking for myself). With so many new things, the wheat must be seperated from the chaff. Podcasts have been around in large numbers for two years now, so the glossy, new car smell has worn off. And that's a good thing. What remains are podcasts and not so many people who want to sit around and just talk about podcasting.

[Barefoot Radio.com]

I don't believe the PCA forums are the standard for which we decide whether podcasting is alive or dead.

Podcasting lives. It can be a hobby or it can lead us to other professional opportunities.

PodcastPickle.com has a diverse community of podcasters, many of which don't show up over here as they deem PCA 'the dark side.' You might dig the pickle.

[lyzz]

Well, I haven't really registered for podcastpickle.
But Google search for 'podcast' brings this up earlier in the results so I thought it would be more famous. Anyway.

[Yotto]

Yeah, google results for "podcast" don't bring the pickle up on the first page, but it's on the 2nd. Sadly, it's below NPR and some other sites that are really not nearly as useful to podcasters.

However, you'd be doing yourself a disservice by not checking it out.

[lyzz]

Duh, if pickle is that big, it should take the positions over eventually, though.

I've taken a look at pickle and it seems quite okay. Just a short notice. ;)

[WyethDigital]

The Pickle is great, and there is a responsive management to the boards, but it is a little insular.

It was mentioned earlier that some of the Pickler's think PCA is the "dark side," and that's a fairly accurate assessment. What bugs me about it, though, is that some of the Picklers have been so good at talking down this place and it's ownership, that folks who are convinced of the evilness of Adam Curry, PCA, and PodShow have never even been here, listened to the DSC or checked out PodShow for more than a couple of minutes at a time.

So I'd have to disagree that the whole Indie vs PodShow debate is dead. It's not. The opponents have just moved into their own corners. To me, that's a shame. I've always been a fan of cross-polination, so I think it weakens both communities when we segregate ourselves from each other.

Eric

[Yotto]

I agree, Eric. I left PCA in March or so because I much preferred the Pickle, but have since come back and at least read, if not participate much, in the forums here. Though I don't care for many Podshow shows and don't care one bit for the top 10 here, I think foregoing one community for the other totally is a mistake.

[WyethDigital]

I agree, Eric. I left PCA in March or so because I much preferred the Pickle, but have since come back and at least read, if not participate much, in the forums here. Though I don't care for many Podshow shows and don't care one bit for the top 10 here, I think foregoing one community for the other totally is a mistake.

And you deserve a lot of credit for that! I will say one thing on the PCA vs Pickle thing: Currently, I'm liking the PCA's new forum software better than the Pickle's :oops:

I had another observation about why these boards seem fairly quiet (and I would also speculate that if you took the two or three dozen core users off the Pickle, it would also get mighty quiet), and that is the fans aren't coming here to talk about the podcasts they like. They're going to the forums that their favorite shows sponsor to talk about them. That's where their communities are. That's where our fans are. Not at PCA.

Now, if PCA wants more active forums, and I were Podshow (which I'm fairly sure a certain santa-clone will breeze in here and remind that I'm not), I'd try to find a way to make it attractive to their podcasters to send their audience here. Maybe an easy link-up from a podcaster's page to a show specific thread. Right now, Podshow seems to be keeping comment and feedback functions all on-site. There's no reason for a podcaster's listening/viewing audience to come here.

Eric

[lyzz]

Seems so.

So, I guess these forums just end up being a place for podcast makers to talk about some technical stuff and that's it.
Totally not the way how it should be, IMO...

[Yotto]

I don't see why that's a problem. Listeners just want something different than a forum. Listeners want a kick-*** directory.

[lyzz]

Well, this forum is still made not for the listeners, huh?

With just one find participating it's kinda difficult to find out what the listeners actually need. Anyway.

[WyethDigital]

I think this forum is made for both listeners and podcasters. However, I think if a listener is a big fan of a show, they are more than likely going to join their favorite podcast's community over coming here. For instance, a Dawn and Drew fan is more likely to sign up for Dawn and Drew's forum. After all, that's most likely where you'll find Dawn and Drew.

But I think places like Podcast Alley and Podcast Pickle could probably do more to encourage listener interaction when they come upon this site. For instance, making listener-centric forums more visible on the front page of their directories.

Eric

[lyzz]

Yup, that makes sense.

I meant "side" and not "find" in my previous post, by the way.

[Yotto]

I think the problem is is that listeners have no use for a generic podcasting forum. As a listener, I know I don't. As a podcaster that's a different story, of course, but I'm speaking as a listener. I don't know what these two sites can do to attract listeners and keep them. I honestly don't. But, I'm pretty sure a forum isn't it.

[jeffoest]

I agree with Yotto and Eric - I probably wouldn't have ended up in the forum part of PCA or the Pickle if I wasn't a podcaster.

As a podcaster, after a year I do tend to tire of the self-promotion posts on these forums of amateurs but enjoy the otherwise friendly and intelligent crowd here. I think, personally, of these forums as hobby forums to meet like-minded people with the same hobby (podcasting in this case).

As a listener, I would think the self-promotion would be of very little value in finding podcasts to listen to...As a New Years resolution maybe when someone asks "hey I'm new, what are the good shows?" people should recommend a great show they listen to instead of their own. It would promote others' work, promote a kinder place and, hey, does anyone really think promoting your own work in discussion forums (beyond the new show announcements) is very compelling to a listener. Now a recommendation from someone else - that's compelling!

------

Non sequitor here

Whenever a new message is in this forum and the topic name is bolded "Is podcasting dead yet?" it makes me chuckle. The mind instantly wonders if the news just came in that it IS indeed dead. lol

[WyethDigital]

I agree with Yotto and Eric - I probably wouldn't have ended up in the forum part of PCA or the Pickle if I wasn't a podcaster.As a New Years resolution maybe when someone asks "hey I'm new, what are the good shows?" people should recommend a great show they listen to instead of their own.

Hey! That reminds me of a topic we're covering in our next episode... ;)

Well, ok, it doesn't! Just kidding!

You make a good point about self-promotion. While I think you should be prepared to talk about what you're doing at a drop of the hat (whether it's podcasting or selling houses), it should be done tastefully and non-boorishly. Of course, in a forum about podcasting it's kind of hard to know where that line is sometimes.

Now, as far as the usefulness of forums for promotion, I do tend to differ with Jeff a bit. Last Monday, of the hits we got to our website (not subscriptions or donwloads -- I haven't dug to deeply into my stats this week), about 1/4 came from Podcast Pickle and 1/4 came from Podcast Alley (in the interest of fairness, 1/4 also came from the Zencast directory, and I don't know of any forums over there, so I'm inclined to believe that those hits count more into our downloads). Yes, most of the hits from PCA and Podcast Pickle are probably podcasters, but not likely all of them. And even if they are, podcasters can be consumers, too. :)

Eric

[jeffoest]

Dang Eric - I was hoping to hear whether podcasting was either dead yet or how close it was

You make a fair point (as usual) - nothing wrong with fellow podcasters as listeners and where we are right now, I imagine most of our (collective "we") listeners are indeed podcasters. In a lot of ways they make the best listeners - they have a real appreciation for what goes into it and have a genuine excitement about it.

BTW - I finally got around to downloading a bunch of "How To"s to pack my video podcasting while on holiday break and really enjoyed them. Madeline is a very knowledgable and charming host and I can tell that a lot of skilled pre- and post- work goes into every minute. Great job!

[WyethDigital]

Why thanks, Jeff! I appreciate it, as I'm sure Madeline will when I tell her about it. As with most things, some shows are better than others, and we're often surprised by what gets the most feedback or downloads. BTW, I think Gretchen has been doing a great job. I wouldn't normally have thought I'd be interested in the topic, but I find it fascinating when she talks about the struggles of toy makers. Kids are a fickle bunch! The little ankle-biters!

As you said before, when one of these threads pops up, I have to read it. If for no other reason than to check my pulse (or my iPod's).

But it's not threads like these that really make me scratch my head. It's when a pundit or publication comes out with some dire prediction of podcasting's demise that catches my eye. It's usually closely followed by some other news source talking about either another pundit in love with the medium, or some tracking and research company's prediction about how many tens of millions of consumers will be downloading them by (pick your year). I'm telling you, it's enough to make me dizzy! :)


Eric

[dpeach]

Well, drats! There goes my shameless promotion for today.

I only started coming into these forums after I became a podcaster. But, I have been a consumer for a year previous to that. I have actually subscribed to several of the podcasts that I have learned about because of being active in here.

I think this is a good place for serious consumers to hang out and find new podcasts, but I doubt many will lurk around just as a consumer.

[Webzu]

I agree as a listener I never wandered too deep into the forums of directories. It wasn't until I became interested in doing my own podcast that I began reading the posts in these forums. I've found podcast alley forums for podcasters the best one and you all have helped me a lot in getting started. I have listened to others podcasts and subscribed to shows via these forums so I can see how you do pick up listeners.

[lyzz]

As for promoting podcasts, well, the podcaster has to believe in what he's doing anyway, huh?
So if someone is asking for good podcasts, he is just saying the truth. Or so he thinks anyway.

A bit advertising: If someone asked for good podcasts I'd give the URL to the URL on my sig. To go further than that, if I had a podcast I would want people to know about, I'd still add my podcast's URL to the profile...

Non sequitor here

Whenever a new message is in this forum and the topic name is bolded "Is podcasting dead yet?" it makes me chuckle. The mind instantly wonders if the news just came in that it IS indeed dead. lol

Heh. I'm glad I was able to choose a good topic name, thanks. :)

[WWODanny]

To answer the question posed in this post: No. Podcasting is not dead, yet. It will be OFFICIALLY declared deceased this Friday, January 12th when the Wonderful World Of Danny returns! BE THERE!

http://wonderfulworldofdanny.com

http://myspace-883.vo.llnwd.net/01516/38/83/1516273883_l.jpg

[WyethDigital]

It will be OFFICIALLY declared deceased this Friday, January 12th when the Wonderful World Of Danny returns! BE THERE!

Don't you mean diseased? ;)

Eric

[lyzz]

Sounds like advertisement, hmm... :>

How can something what is a disease itself be diseased, by the way?

[WyethDigital]

Sounds like advertisement, hmm... :>

How can something what is a disease itself be diseased, by the way?


Ouch! LOL!

Eric

[agile]

Hi Guys:

Long time no speak.

I think this thread is highly relevant and if you are interested in the future of podcasting then check out the latest issue of Podcast User Magazine (http://www.podcastusermagazine.com/files/podusermag-issue12.pdf)

The key issues are not whether podcasting is dying. It is here to stay when you lok at the amount of 'digs' that some are getting at Digg.com.

The problem (as the PUM article states) is that the big commercial podcast are sucking up all the attention while very few indie podcasters have made it 'big'. Grammar Girl may be the one exception I can think of.

The other concern is that podcasters are still not reaching out enough to potential listeners; the bulk of whom don't listen to any podcasts at all.

As much as I like the Pickle it is a great example of podcasters promoting to other podcasters and bigging each other up. This is fine, but if indie podcasters want to break into the 1000's of downloads rather than hundreds then they have to reach out beyond the 'podosphere'.

For those wondering I am getting back into the podcast reviews soon. Probably only a couple a month though. With two kids under 2, full-time job and a part-time masters degree i am having to scale back a bit.

Happy New Year to you all.

Best Regards,
Tim

[jeffoest]

Hey Tim,

Yea - I think that everything you say is correct. It's just like any kind of 'business' really. It takes investment dollars to advertise and get the word out and get enough listeners to bring in reasonable revenues that can justify that expense (given that you have a show that can interest and keep listeners at the sizes needed - which for an 'indie' is a big assumption).

I think that right now, there's not enough "proof" out there that that investment will provide much of a return.

Word of mouth is great - but it's not really enough to build a business with (for 99.9% of indie podcasts) right now.

Bottom line - I think it is and will be hard for an 'indie' podcast to be a self-sustaining business. But, then again, isn't that kind of what makes 'indie' podcasts great and, um, independent? I do think as long as it's fairly cheap (as it is) to produce a podcast, the 'indies' will always be around with passion. Maybe some short-termers with great shows, maybe some long-sustaining guys but I don't think we have too much to worry about!

The commercial podcasts can produce and market their stuff fairly cheaply I think since the production is usually repurposed content and can usually draw listeners through their existing name recognition .... So they get into the podcast 'game' at a fairly reasonable rate.

From what I've seen in the real world - the idea of subscribing to feeds is just technically beyond how most people want to digest content. Not US of course! So, there does (even though we don't like to admit it sometimes) needs to be a fundamental change in the way podcasts are distributed to really get critical mass. Just my opinion, of course.

[WyethDigital]

From what I've seen in the real world - the idea of subscribing to feeds is just technically beyond how most people want to digest content. Not US of course! So, there does (even though we don't like to admit it sometimes) needs to be a fundamental change in the way podcasts are distributed to really get critical mass. Just my opinion, of course.

You bring up an interesting point, Jeff, and one that I whole-heartedly agree with. Part of getting spotted and downloaded is being in more than one place. You need to reach beyond your subscriber base and where your stats counter is!

The important measure to success is downloads. Subscriptions are great, but in the end I don't believe they're as important as actual downloads to potential advertisers or investors. I just don't think a pure subscription model will generally net enough downloads.

We've been concentrating on other forms of distribution. Some of those also utilize subscriptions, but not exclusively. On YouTube alone, we've gotten thousands and thousands of views, and YouTube is one of the least interesting places we're testing out.

Our concentration on finding new outlets for us is one reason I'm excited about new gear and applications emerging from the CES and Apple's MacWorld show. As much as being open and independent is desirable, I think -- for now at least -- closed systems like iTunes/iPod, or more interesting to me, iTunes/AppleTV, are going to make it the easiest for a consumer to find and watch our content. Until there is a more open architecture that makes it as easy to consume our shows as the closed models do, our job is to put ourselves into as many of those places as we can get. Unfortunately, that also means a lot of legwork!

Eric

[chris2x]

I don't quite get it. Podcasting seems to be taking off with a lot of users, listeners, etc.

But, for example, take these forums. I'm not sure what's happening but there seems to be so few active users... Some of the subforums have been for like two weeks without a single post.
Any ideas why?

I for one don't get here that often because I am busy podcasting.

[WyethDigital]

I for one don't get here that often because I am busy podcasting.

A very good point. Also, there are things related to podcasting that aren't the podcast which take up a lot of time as well! For instance, I just spent the evening finishing up a small store-front on our website from which to sell our DVDs.

Then there's promotion, etc.

Eric

[bobchrist]

Podcasting is certainly not dead but in my opinion there is need of more innovation in podcasting which can make people to accept change and it need to be tied up with strong brand.

[Barefoot Radio.com]

Podcasting is definitely not dead for us.

'Strong Brand' indeed, BobChrist.

[matrix]

It is not matter of dead or alive, more important is about the information, if it is interesting & useful people will go for that.

[Dick Dynamo]

Podcasting our show is so much fun, we want more listeners but its kind of hard to get the word out. I'm starting to wonder if people have the imagination or patients anymore for an audio drama show. since the Internet and television give such a instant gratification to the senses. it seams like unless your a self help or a talk radio its hard to get any listeners. I may be trying the wrong markets - it seems like people in Europe and Australia still have the time and appreciation for audio stories.

If anyone has any tips on reaching more markets or even furthuring out euro listeners it would be great appricated and if we can help in any way let me know. Oh and i saw that Tim from austrailia talking about doing more reviews. if you get a chance we would love to hear your review Tim.

Thank you all very much,
Anthony of Dick Dynamo

www.dickdynamo.com

http://www.dickdynamo.libsyn.com/

and we can also be found on Itunes

[wesday]

I have heard more about podcasting in the past year over mainstream formats like radio and television, but it seems that podcast directories and forums are cluttered with remnants of 2004's podcast surge. I was one of them until I got my podcast on a local station in town, then I started producing the shows again this month.

I am really excited to see what happens in the next couple of cell phone generations and how that will spurn another podcast frenzy (Possibly the biggest one yet). These smart phones are dropping their prices so fast, I have a feeling like that one of the next waves of phones will practically include the words "podcast capable" in their advertising. Higher hard drive capacities, better ram, faster processors, that's the future of cell phones-- plus cingular has got the 3G network in major cities, making for some very fast internet connections in the world of cell phones. My show is 55 minutes long and usually right around 50.3 MB. When the phones start coming with multiple gigs of HD, and networks like the 3G network become new industry standards, that is when we will see a huge huge huge surge of cell-users searching for audio/video content for their phones. That's where we need to be poised to reap the benefits.

[stereoradiation]

I don't quite get it. Podcasting seems to be taking off with a lot of users, listeners, etc.

But, for example, take these forums. I'm not sure what's happening but there seems to be so few active users... Some of the subforums have been for like two weeks without a single post.
Any ideas why?

I think you have the question wrong. The question seems to be not "Is podcasting dead?" but rather "Is Podcast Alley dead?" and the answer to both is of course "no."

In 2005, podcasting itself was a huge new phenomenon, with scores of articles appearing in the mass media announcing the possibilities. Back then, most shows were home-grown, like Dawn and Drew and Nobody Likes Onions. Podcast Alley blew up huge.

Now, media companies like NPR, the Disney Channel and NBC have taken to podcasting, and while podcasting continues to grow, it is those shows that now dominate the iTunes rankings. Although the traffic has let up, Podcast Alley's Top 10 and Top 50 still have clout, and shows continue to ask for Podcast Alley votes. As a startup podcast, if you are not listed on Podcast Alley, you simply do not exist.

[WyethDigital]

I think you have the question wrong. The question seems to be not "Is podcasting dead?" but rather "Is Podcast Alley dead?" and the answer to both is of course "no."

In 2005, podcasting itself was a huge new phenomenon, with scores of articles appearing in the mass media announcing the possibilities. Back then, most shows were home-grown, like Dawn and Drew and Nobody Likes Onions. Podcast Alley blew up huge.
I would say this is true. PodcastAlley was a place for the pioneers.

Now, media companies like NPR, the Disney Channel and NBC have taken to podcasting, and while podcasting continues to grow, it is those shows that now dominate the iTunes rankings. Although the traffic has let up, Podcast Alley's Top 10 and Top 50 still have clout, and shows continue to ask for Podcast Alley votes. As a startup podcast, if you are not listed on Podcast Alley, you simply do not exist.
In this, I think you have a mixed bag of right and wrong. While it is true that NPR, Disney, etc. have created successful podcast properties in terms of rankings, no one is yet saying how beneficial they've been on a corporate level. I suspect in some cases, such as NPR, it has been an all-around success; and in some cases, like Disney, it's considered a marketing investment, and it's cost/benefits are looked at in those terms, rather than whether or not the podcast itself makes money.

But don't be fooled by iTunes rankings. Apple has yet to display enough courage in the podcasting directory to devote a front page entirely to independent shows. Some of the podcasts on their front page are there because of partnerships with Apple, some are there because they're perceived as "big names," and their presence assumes that they will draw more interest to the directory. However, this is a somewhat dubious assumption, since some of the few independent shows that have been featured on the front page have done as well, or better, than the commercial properties that get so much face time and real estate on the iTunes Podcast Directory. Our show, when featured prominently, was beating out shows from the likes of Nickelodean, Disney, NPR, Allure, and others. Grammar Girl, as another example (and true success story), was number one for a couple of weeks, and in the top ten for much longer.

Finally, PCA rankings (top 50, top 10), mean almost zilch (sorry Ferf). The only thing they're good for are a few bragging rights. If you're good at turning bragging rights into media exposure, then (and only then), are they really worth the effort to get. We've had better luck at getting our stuff seen just be posting to YouTube. That's gotten us on Good Morning America, into the NY Times, Rachael Ray, and coming this spring, Glamour Magazine, among others.

I would say if you're new, spend a few minutes of your time each month to bump ahead in the PCA ranks, but don't waste too much time beyond that. You're better off spending your time getting to know the podcasters that still post around here. The community is slow right now, but is showing some more signs of life than it has in almost a year. It needs new blood.

Eric

[alexkillby]

for me, podcasting has "seasons".
During the spring and summer, it's something that's easier for me to do, in the fall and winter I get too busy to be invovled enough to post on forums, etc.

i'm posting right now.... it's fall.... lol

[hut]

disagree..

Someday in the future, someone is going to be looking at everyones blogs. Probably we'll have such a wide variety of people's opinions, thoughts, and ideas documented.

[radioclash]

I have a few words for you:

Facebook
Myspace
Bebo
Ning
Twitter...

That's where people are...messageboards are old skool to the young and listenership like newgroups are to us. PCA et al are for the pioneers (scarily I probably fit with that, I'm the oldest English podcast going, and the 2nd UK after GreenDragon) and the podcasters, not the listeners.

I admit I go to forums where my listeners and friends go, mashup forums...also the odd UK podcast forum, (de)Facebook and Livejournal, these places tend to have people who listen, maybe because that's where people are or maybe because that's where I am and I promote what I do....I dunno I think things have shifted away from forums for most except the niche categories though.

[WyethDigital]

I think you're right. We have more YouTube commenters, and more discussions going there than in our forum. I'm thinking of suggesting that we close it. The number of spam registrations we get is appalling.

Eric

I have a few words for you:

Facebook
Myspace
Bebo
Ning
Twitter...

That's where people are...messageboards are old skool to the young and listenership like newgroups are to us. PCA et al are for the pioneers (scarily I probably fit with that, I'm the oldest English podcast going, and the 2nd UK after GreenDragon) and the podcasters, not the listeners.

I admit I go to forums where my listeners and friends go, mashup forums...also the odd UK podcast forum, (de)Facebook and Livejournal, these places tend to have people who listen, maybe because that's where people are or maybe because that's where I am and I promote what I do....I dunno I think things have shifted away from forums for most except the niche categories though.

[Allen Milller]

Yes, those other social media sites do offer a wider range of comments and audiences, but I would also agree that forums like this one are great for communicating with those who are more specific to your content. The answer is both, in my opinion. From a marketing standpoint at least.. Spammers will never go away unfortunately.

[Shellius]

Podcasting is very much alive. It has nothing to do with forums... people just don't have time for forums, I'm finding. Especially if they do a podcast!
And if you do two.... it's even harder!

I only rarely stop in here due mainly to lack of time, but I had to add my 2 cents to this. The bottom line is, podcast is very popular. The problem is that about 80% of the public don't even know podcasts exist.

So, every podcaster has to be an advocate for podcasts and spread them around. I just started a 2nd review podcast called "Podcast Liberally" where I'm promoting podcasts by reviewing them. Everyone can do that, depending on your interests! That gets more podcasts more audience and helps us all because then more and more the public will find about them.
Promote everyone, not just your own, and we all gain.
:cool:

Podcast Liberally (http://www.podcastliberally.com) -- anyone can write a review to promote any podcast but please read the instructions. It's about a specific genre of podcasts!

http://www.podcastliberally.com/blog

[Allen Milller]

Patience is the name of the game. I think that in time you will see more and more "regular folk" making the move to podcasting. As technology and prices on technology level out and standardize, you will notice more average Joes taking advantage to the vast amount of quality programming Podcasting has to offer.

I will say however, and something that I've ranted about in the past in this forum, is that as podcasters, we need to reach out to those people when we do our marketing. Educating people is also a good practice. Perhaps even having some type of a "how to get my podcast" thing on your home page for visitors not familiar to podcasting. Technology, no matter how smart we all think we are with it, will never replace good old fashion out reach marketing...

Podcasting will change, and how people view and get podcasts may also change... BUT the overall basis of Podcasting is very much hear to stay, regardless if your watching and listing to stuff on an ipod, or on your $2000 entertainment system in the living room. :D

[writerpatrick]

It's interesting that this thread started about a year ago and things haven't really changed much. The participation in forums seems to really be constant, although too much of it seems to be plugging and not enough is real participation. It was a struggle to get the Podcast Pickle Christmas skit done this year and it doesn't seem as if there's enough interest to bother with it next year.

The one forum that I have found most beneficial in attracting listeners is Zune.net.

[StrafeRight]

Zune was mentioned at the beginning of this thread, and I have some very interesting news about Zune.

With the onset of Windows Live ID, Microsoft has been padding the numbers. It's truly ingenious, but wrong at the same time.

I wanted to use the Zune Tag "strafeRight" for my podcast, and found that it was used. Looking deeper, all my "strafeRight" buddies from our site/community were already "befriended" with strafeRight in Zune. Knowing these people, I got in my VOIP program and asked them about their Zune account, to which 18 of the 21 "friends" replied, "I don't have a Zune account! What are you talking about?"

I then started the search for strafeRight and after several conversations with Zune and Microsoft, it appears that Zune is most likely 60% autopopulated with inactive accounts.

It appears that XBOX 360 users who create a XBOX Live Account, also, without really knowing, create a Windows Live ID and Zune Account in one fell swoop. Also, if you create a Zune Account, you are, in fact, creating a Windows Live ID.

This allows Microsoft's Zune to look much more popular than it really is. Every time Microsoft launches another site or service, they get to automatically include all Microsoft Live ID as existing members and be able to say to potential advertisers, "Hey, we already have millions of subscribers," when in fact, it is not true. I know my sample case is small, but 18 or 21 seems to be a large percentage and all of the buddied accounts, including the strafeRight account have been inactive and unused since they were created.

Don't be fooled. PCA and podcasting is not dead.

DJ Mark of Death - strafeRight.com
Listen to The StrafeRight Global GameCast

[agile]

Podcasting certainly is not dead.

I think it's fair to say that it has stagnated though.

I remember when I first started listening to podcasts a couple of years ago and it was quite common for podcasters to claim that podcasts would soon make radio redundant.

For me radio IS largely redundant but for the vast majority of people I speak to this is not the case.

Think about your friends who are not tech-savvy. Most them probably wouldn't even know how to download and listen to a podcast even if they wanted to.

I'm not sure what can be done about this beyond the obvious marketing ideas. At the end of the day it's about demand and maybe market forces have determined that this is where podcasting should be for the time being.

Happy new year everyone. Still crazy-busy but have not totally discasded the concept of reviews,

Cheers,
Tim

[WyethDigital]

Good to see you around again, Tim. Happy New Year!

If you're a podcaster and look at podcasting as a replacement of one media or another, such as radio or TV, then I think you're on the wrong boat. Podcasting has the capability to compete with old media, as blogs have shown they can compete with mainstream print and journalism vehicles (in both popularity and credibility), but podcasts will not replace radio or television.

To me podcasting is more a part of a media evolution rather than a revolution. Both are a little scary to those witnessing them, and both can be a painful and tumultuous process, but evolution is a far more resilient form of change than a flash-in-the-pan revolution. Revolutions are powerful things, but their life spans are usually short-lived and are easily corruptible. I think as long as everyday citizens still produce and consume podcasts, then I think we'll continue to evolve our media.

Eric

[Barefoot Radio.com]

If you're a podcaster and look at podcasting as a replacement of one media or another, such as radio or TV, then I think you're on the wrong boat. Podcasting has the capability to compete with old media, as blogs have shown they can compete with mainstream print and journalism vehicles (in both popularity and credibility), but podcasts will not replace radio or television.

To me podcasting is more a part of a media evolution rather than a revolution. Both are a little scary to those witnessing them, and both can be a painful and tumultuous process, but evolution is a far more resilient form of change than a flash-in-the-pan revolution. Revolutions are powerful things, but their life spans are usually short-lived and are easily corruptible. I think as long as everyday citizens still produce and consume podcasts, then I think we'll continue to evolve our media.

Well said.

Doesn't 'revolution' sound more fun and more hollywood?

I love podcasting for the freedom anyone has to 'try their own thing.'

If the podcast is the end in itself, then one has a long uphill battle to success. If the podcast is portal to exhibit talent, and the audience grows big enough, the podcast can be an integral part of breaking through with another opportunity.

It is a stage, whether produced professionally or not, upon which people from any walk of life can showcase their talents and skills with audio and video media.

It is powerful. Revolutionary? Maybe after all the evolution. After enough time does evolution create a revolution?

It could be called revolutionary because before there was no way for any individual to build a following like this. You always had to be somebody to get in on television when it was new, or radio for that matter. Now Tom Dick Harry and Janet all have their own podcasts.

I hate how everyone has shows, but on the other hand, so many people have shows that there's TONS of quality content out there.

A podcasting stage with a few who might see your talent is better than no stage at all.

Last night I was imagining a joke where I was playing god in a parody, and I was in a laboratory with several different worlds/parallel universes, all of which were existing relative to me. In my timeline, I was able to experiment with time in those worlds at an accelerated rate. In this fantasy, I was doing experiments where one world was the same as the other except for one seemingly insignificant small change I make as god, and then observing how the entire changed world wound up after time, and discovering that even those small things can wind up completely changing reality as we know it, especially in contrast to that other world without that one difference.

The odd thing was how I was god observing all of these worlds in a relative time.

The ipod has emerged as a device vital to the future of indie content creators. It is not superficial how apple has managed to create this thing and a program that interfaces with it. It's redefining old world business models. It's creating opportunity for people who might otherwise have been waiting tables all their lives(nothing wrong with honest work).

I am a philosophical dork.

I have hijacked this thread.

Podcasting will still mint celebrities, and a celebrity is probably big enough to jump out of the podcasting realm into the mainstream realm.

The lines are being blurred. Over time we won't know the difference anymore.

I never knew I'd be producing tv as a kid.:rolleyes:

[writerpatrick]

I don't think podcasting would neccissarily take over broadcast, but it's more likely that the Internet will become the primary distribution system. Major broadcasters and producers could use the Internet as a way to distribute their programs and create podcasts or some similar system to do so. For example, what if Lost was distributed as a podcast rather than a broadcast? But that's not likely to happen until they can figure out a way to profit from using the Internet for broadcast.

And podcasting is only one method of distribution. Other methods could develop. But it does appear that many of the same rules that apply to TV also apply to podcasting. For intance, people tend to favor drama over talk. As the number of dramatic presentations increases, the interest in talk podcasts is likely to decrease.

[WyethDigital]

I don't think podcasting would neccissarily take over broadcast, but it's more likely that the Internet will become the primary distribution system. Major broadcasters and producers could use the Internet as a way to distribute their programs and create podcasts or some similar system to do so. For example, what if Lost was distributed as a podcast rather than a broadcast? But that's not likely to happen until they can figure out a way to profit from using the Internet for broadcast.

I agree with the notion that the internet will become a primary means of obtaining programming, but it will be quite some time before it is ready for that. And not just because of profits. The corporate culture of the broadband gatekeepers (like Comcast, Time Warner, and Charter) will be more of a hindrance than the technology will. They're entertainment companies first, ISP's second, and they're starting to realize that when it comes to entertainment, they'll not just be competing with each other, but with their own customers.

But I have a solution to this, and if they want to pay me a big consulting fee, I'd be willing to share :)

Eric

[stereoradiation]

Is this thread dead yet?

[EndGamePR]

Is this thread dead yet?
Apparently it isn't, since you brought it back to life.

[Tents in Space]

I hope its not dead, we have only just arrived! Still learning all the time and finding this forum really useful. Some good, helpful information on here.

I suppose it depends on what level you podcast, why you do it, who you do it for etc? If it's a just a a hobby and you are entertaining yourself, then I suppose death of podcasting or otherwise is not an issue. There are so many levels of podcast that it is a question that is quite generic.

Anyway, that's our contritbution. Great thread, great forum, keep it up guys!

[jen.bas]

I think podcasting is more versatile than any other blogs out there..

[Left Wing Conservative]

Hi everyone:I don't think podcasting would neccissarily take over broadcast, but it's more likely that the Internet will become the primary distribution system. Major broadcasters and producers could use the Internet as a way to distribute their programs and create podcasts or some similar system to do so. For example, what if Lost was distributed as a podcast rather than a broadcast? But that's not likely to happen until they can figure out a way to profit from using the Internet for broadcast.Umm....NEWSFLASH....ABC is ALREADY offering their shows available for online viewing either via abc.com or the website of their affiliates (I know this because the ABC affiliate here in Denver is pimping the service all the time).And podcasting is only one method of distribution.There's still the world of streaming media too, but unless you're streaming MP3 like Live365 does or use Flash on your site, your future in the industry looks rather bleak.But it does appear that many of the same rules that apply to TV also apply to podcasting.True however....For intance, people tend to favor drama over talk. As the number of dramatic presentations increases, the interest in talk podcasts is likely to decrease.Unless you have can get together with 10 of your friends & assemble a cast for an online drama (The user-created dramas on YouTube come to mind here), this would be tough to pull off.

Just my opinion....

Cheers :)

[Left Wing Conservative]

Hi everyone:I don't believe the PCA forums are the standard for which we decide whether podcasting is alive or dead.I agree. In fact, I wouldn't even call it a measuring stick.Podcasting lives. It can be a hobby or it can lead us to other professional opportunities.Yeah. Just ask Amanda Congdon. In fact, didn't she leave Rocketboom to become a reporter for ABC News somewhere? I seemingly recall that happening.

I believe there's also a web series that started on on YouTube (??), but is now on nbc.com

FWIW....

Cheers :)

[Left Wing Conservative]

Hi everyone:The Pickle is great, and there is a responsive management to the boards, but it is a little insular.How so?What bugs me about it, though, is that some of the Picklers have been so good at talking down this place and it's ownership, that folks who are convinced of the evilness of Adam Curry, PCA, and PodShow have never even been here, listened to the DSC or checked out PodShow for more than a couple of minutes at a time.Well what doesn't help matter any is the fact that AC & the PCA admins pretty much take a hands off approach at running this board. All one has to do is Google this board & they'd find all kinds of flame wars on here. It doesn't take a regular such as yourself Eric who's been around awhile.So I'd have to disagree that the whole Indie vs PodShow debate is dead. It's not. The opponents have just moved into their own corners. To me, that's a shame. I've always been a fan of cross-polination, so I think it weakens both communities when we segregate ourselves from each other.Why do you consider it a shame Eric? After doing two audio podcasts (One being an all-political podcast under a different name), I simply moved on to doing video podcasts (Afterall, that's what was next). Yeah audio podcasting while on the go is easy to do as all I need is my iRiver and (Ideally) my clip-on mic and away I go. But what I'd really like to be able to do someday is get a used camcorder and do some VIDEO podcasting while on the go. Now that would be cool :cool: (P.S. As a sidenote, Is anybody else noticing the missing emoticons or am I seeing things?).

Anyway, under my "PatsPodcast" altar ego, I pretty much stayed away from the flames on the board because I pretty much stayed away from the whole site (But I can Google it just as if I were here every waking day & night).

But to the question of podcasting being a dead medium, I'd have to say an emphatic NO to that. :)

Just my opinion....

Cheers :)

[Left Wing Conservative]

Hi everyone:I have a few words for you:

Facebook
Myspace
Bebo
Ning
Twitter...I have a few more....

YouTube
LiveVideo
StickAM
Mogulus
BlogTV

And those are just A VERY SMALL MICROCOSM of the number of places out there where you'll find people.That's where people are...messageboards are old skool to the young and listenership like newgroups are to us.Yep! If you wanna survive in the days of Web 2.0, you need to have a prescence on the aforementioned services AND THEN SOME.I admit I go to forums where my listeners and friends go, mashup forums...also the odd UK podcast forum, (de)Facebook and Livejournal, these places tend to have people who listen, maybe because that's where people are or maybe because that's where I am and I promote what I do....I dunno I think things have shifted away from forums for most except the niche categories though.Yeah, but what message board software do you know of is compatible with anything but (Maybe) a Windows-based cell phone or portable device? I don't know of any. Which is why Twitter resorted to allowing its users to use SMS text messaging as a means of communicating via a cell phone or other compatible device.

JFWIW....

Cheers :)

[Left Wing Conservative]

Hi everyone:Patience is the name of the game. I think that in time you will see more and more "regular folk" making the move to podcasting. As technology and prices on technology level out and standardize, you will notice more average Joes taking advantage to the vast amount of quality programming Podcasting has to offer.The thing is audio podcasting is as standardized as it can possibly get. It's VIDEO podcasting that needs to get its act together (And it seems to be doing just that with a strong lean towards the Quicktime formats).

The problem with video podcasting is that Apple uses strange (If not proprietary) algorithms in its version of the MPEG-4 format that, except for the iPhone, cell phones & other portable devices simply cannot decode them. Microsoft does the same thing with its version of MPEG-4, although it's a strong lean towards a straight AVI than anything. Nevertheless, the results are the same.

Either way - CONSUMERS ARE THE BIGGEST LOSERS in the battle.I will say however, and something that I've ranted about in the past in this forum, is that as podcasters, we need to reach out to those people when we do our marketing. Educating people is also a good practice. Perhaps even having some type of a "how to get my podcast" thing on your home page for visitors not familiar to podcasting. Technology, no matter how smart we all think we are with it, will never replace good old fashion out reach marketing... See the comments I just typed above.Podcasting will change, and how people view and get podcasts may also change... BUT the overall basis of Podcasting is very much hear to stay, regardless if your watching and listing to stuff on an ipod, or on your $2000 entertainment system in the living room.Agreed.

Just my opinion....

Cheers :)

[writerpatrick]

I've noticed with forums that for the most part there are just too many out there. Anyone can make up a forum and so it thins out the number of participants to individual forums. Fortunately, the number of active podcast forums is still limited, but there's at least three strong ones out there, usually with the same people on all three.

It struck me recently that podcasting may be falling into a hobbiest niche like ham radio. Fortunately, podcasting isn't nearly so technically complex, and anyone can listen to a podcast, but it doesn't seem to be attracting the same interest as it use to.

While the total number of podcast listeners is growing, so is the total number of podcasts. And a lot of them are just plain garbage: they're dull to listen to and poorly put together. There's also the prejudice that podcasts are the Internet equivalent of talk radio. As the number of lame podcasts increases it becomes harder for listeners to find the interesting ones. Bad podcasts hurt podcasting.

I would like to see more podcasts made with the focus on entertainment, not talk. I think just about every talk subject has already been covered and there are too many new podcasters covering subjects that hundreds of others are already doing. Look at what makes the top of the lists: podcasts that seem to make an effort to entertain their audience.

[Karina]

I Think podcasting is not dead. it is still working and working.

[Cyphreinc]

One never know's you just may find time for a Click See?

http://www.cyphreinc.co.uk (http://www.cyphreinc.co.uk/)

No Worries either way!

So many places to go why would you check out these casts! hope you like the choons (Tunes) by the way?

~ Later ~