Regardless of how being different, both still offer something desperately needed in a post-coronavirus world: human connection. Podcasts episodes are also easy to share across social media with loved ones, whereas radio has more of a dependence on the physical word of mouth (and a natural sense of FOMO). This means that radio is consumed “live” as it happens if the person is tuned into the station, but with podcasting the listener gets to listen to shows whenever it is convenient for them. Radio is a more linear medium, whereas podcasting is always on demand. Just like with real life siblings, there may be genetic similarities, but you’re dealing with two different entities. Both also have commercial opportunities that mirror each other, which is great news for the broadcasting industry as a whole. Radio and podcasting are both intimate mediums, where a show host is literally welcomed into the homes and lives of people. Both typically build audiences through a mix of education, information and entertainment. We can’t talk about podcasting as a force in the broadcasting field without mentioning its older and more established sibling, radio. The relationship between radio and podcasting Considering there are thousands of different cultures and languages on the African continent, the opportunities for innovation and empowerment are truly endless. This has the potential to empower not only the podcast creator, but the community as a whole. When these communities grow stronger in numbers, commercial opportunities will start to present themselves. This asset can even lead to the rise of regional champions (or voices) in the area, in particular those who have a real sense of what’s happening on the ground. Podcasting gives us as Africans the power to have a say in how we are represented to the wider world, rather than continuing to have the story told by an outside narrative, which is often riddled with outdated stereotypes.Īny given podcast episode is an individual asset that has the ability to turn into a regional asset, which can encourage a greater sense of trust and belonging in the community it services. There has never been a better time for multicultural African stories to be told too. Powerful movements like #MeToo and Black Lives Matter have shown that there has never been a better time to have open and honest conversations about tough issues in a way that honours the vulnerability it takes to do so. Numbers aside, one of the biggest drawcards of podcasting is its timelessness, and its ability to create communities through the art of storytelling. The 2021 edition of the Infinite Dial study suggests that podcasting really found its voice during lockdown amidst people feeling more isolated, with the U.S seeing around 13 million new people becoming habitual podcast listeners during this time. These places already have good internet infrastructure in place, and the pandemic actually spurred on record podcast listenership numbers in 2020. In developed economies across Europe, in the US, and even Australia, podcasting is already hitting its stride. Events like Africa PodFest in Kenya, or PodFest Cairo in Egypt, show that while it may be slow and steady, there is a definite shift in the way podcasting is starting to be viewed as an opportunity on the African continent. Although data costs are still quite high in Africa, the rise of free wi-fi and introduction of high-speed fibre has meant that more people than ever are now able to download content without having to foot a massive bill. The upsurge in podcasting worldwideĪs the internet has become more accessible around the world, this has created an opportunity for people to engage with podcasts on a more frequent basis in their daily lives. This shows the true wonder of podcasting, which has the potential to flourish on the African continent in the coming decades. Brands are also finding innovative ways to tell unique stories to very specific markets.ĭeveloping nations like South Africa are starting to see the potential of the medium in the long term, not only as a form of entertainment and education, but also in its ability to give a voice to communities that might have been underrepresented before. Thanks to the power of technology and the rapid spread of internet access around the world, thought leaders are now using podcasts to reach audiences in the millions. Although it has been almost two decades since the first podcast hit the airwaves, podcasting has only really begun to hit its stride in recent years. Like radio, podcasting is an intimate medium that has the power to create connection and change lives.
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