A podcast is a digital audio file, which can be streamed/ downloaded from the internet and listened to on various digital devices. They are usually a series of episodes which are personal in tone which can be highly produced, like slick expensive box sets, or as cheaper, conversational programmes.
The challenge of creating a podcast is to find the right balance between pushing the boundaries of creativity whilst maintaining editorial integrity. Podcasts allow you to be honest and open-hearted and to allow the listener to be part of your journey by giving them behind-the-scenes access while creating a secure environment for great conversations with talent who trust each other. Also, with less scripted content, you can always push the boundaries knowing if you went too far it can be edited later on. (for more on the BBC Editorial Standards, Click Here).
In order to develop a podcast, a potential host needs to know to gauge an audience: 4.2 million listen to podcasts each week across the UK alone, out of which 2.7 million are not radio listeners. The audience is a young one: a third of them are aged 15 to 24 years. This is the missing audience the BBC want to reach.
With podcasts, what makes them truly great is a sense of passion, intrigue and an inviting setting. A great podcast host takes the listener on a journey not possible with regular radio programming and trusts his/ her audience’s intelligence (For example see the WTF podcast with comedian Marc Marson as he interviews various celebrities within his garage, or in hotel rooms!)
When you decide to launch a podcast you need to find ways for the podcast to shine and have the best possible chance to reach wider audiences. Click Here to see how you can learn to to take your first steps into the world of podcasting and how with the proper practise, you could even make it a career with the BBC.