Podcast facts for kids
A podcast is like a radio show you can listen to whenever you want. It's a digital audio program that you can download from the internet. Imagine a series of audio files, like episodes, that you can save to your phone or computer. You can then listen to them at any time that suits you. Most podcasts are audio-only, but some also have videos.
Special apps and services make it easy to find and listen to podcasts. These apps help you keep track of your favorite shows. There are also search engines just for podcasts. They help you discover new episodes and share them with friends.
A podcast series usually has one or more hosts. They talk about a specific topic or current events. The discussions can be carefully planned or completely unscripted. Podcasts mix creative sound with many different topics. These can range from science to everyday life stories. Many podcasts also have a website. This site might offer links, show notes, or even a place to discuss the show.
Listening to podcasts is often free. Many are supported by companies or sponsors who pay for ads. Some podcasts are businesses that earn money through subscriptions or selling products. Because much podcast content is free, it's seen as a new way of sharing media. It changes how traditional radio or TV shows make money.
Podcasting is the process of creating and sharing audio files. This is done using special feeds called RSS. These feeds send the files to people who subscribe. Podcasters often use hosting companies like SoundCloud or Libsyn. These companies then send the audio files to streaming services. Examples include Apple and Spotify. Listeners can then enjoy them on their smartphones or other devices.
As of December 2022, there were almost 3 million podcasts available. There were also over 152 million episodes!
Contents
What Does "Podcast" Mean?
The word "podcast" is a mix of "iPod" and "broadcast". It was first used by a journalist named Ben Hammersley in February 2004. He wrote about it in The Guardian newspaper. The term became popular later that year. Adam Curry, a podcaster, helped spread the word.
Even though it has "iPod" in its name, you don't need an iPod to listen. You can use any computer or device that plays media files. The word "podcast" was around even before Apple added podcast features to iPods and iTunes. Some people tried to make "POD" stand for "portable on demand." But this idea was criticized as trying to change history.
How Podcasts Are Made and Heard
A podcast creator keeps a list of their audio files on a server. This list is called a web feed and is available online. Listeners use a special app called a podcast client. This app checks the web feed for new episodes. It then downloads any new files in the series. This process can happen automatically. So, new episodes seem to appear on your device without you doing anything.
Podcast files can be saved on your device or listened to directly online. Many mobile apps let you follow and listen to podcasts. Most apps allow you to download episodes or stream them. They also let you skip parts or change the playback speed.
Podcasting is a "converged medium." This means it brings together audio, the internet, and portable players. It's also a "disruptive technology." It has made traditional radio rethink how they reach audiences.
Podcasts can be made with very little cost. They are usually given away for free. This is different from traditional media that often had "gatekeepers." However, podcasters can still make money. They can sell ad time to companies. They can also get support from listeners through websites like Patreon. These sites offer special extras to listeners who pay a fee.
Different Kinds of Podcasts
Podcasts come in many styles, formats, and topics. They are somewhat like older types of media but also very different. The ways podcasts are made and listened to are always changing. Here are some common types of podcasts you might find.
Enhanced Podcasts
An enhanced podcast, also called a slidecast, mixes audio with a slide show. It's a bit like a video podcast because it combines pictures with sound. But it uses presentation software to create the images. These images are shown separately from when the audio was recorded.
Enhanced podcasts include graphics and chapters. iTunes even patented a feature for them called "Audio Hyperlinking." Businesses and schools can use enhanced podcasts. They were first used around 2006.
Fiction Podcasts
A fiction podcast, also known as a "scripted podcast" or "audio drama," is like a radio drama. But it's in podcast form! These podcasts tell a fictional story. The story usually unfolds over many episodes and seasons. They use different voice actors, sound effects, and music to make the story exciting.
Many famous actors have lent their voices to fiction podcasts. Big companies like Netflix and Spotify also create them. While science fiction and horror are popular, fiction podcasts cover all kinds of stories. These include romance, comedy, drama, and detective stories. Some examples are The Bright Sessions and Homecoming.
Podcast Novels
A podcast novel, or "serialized audiobook," combines a podcast with an audiobook. It's a work of fiction, just like a regular novel. But it's recorded into episodes and shared online over time. The episodes can be sent automatically through RSS or found on a website. They might be released weekly or whenever an episode is finished.
Some podcast novels are very detailed. They have sound effects and different voice actors for each character. Others have just one narrator and few sound effects. Some authors give away a free podcast version of their book to promote it. This can sometimes lead to publishing deals for their novels. Podcasting their novels helps authors build an audience. This audience can then make it easier to get a book printed later.
Video Podcasts
A video podcast is a podcast that includes video content. Many web TV series are shared as video podcasts. Dead End Days, a dark comedy about zombies, is thought to be the first video podcast. It was released from 2003 to 2004.
Live Podcasts
Some podcasts are recorded in front of a live audience. This can be for a whole show or just certain episodes. Selling tickets to these live shows gives podcasters another way to earn money. Some podcasts create special live shows just for touring. These might not even be put on the regular podcast feed. Festivals like the London Podcast Festival often host live podcast performances.
Podcast Technology
Software
Podcast episodes are usually saved as mp3 digital audio files. They are then stored on special web servers. Sharing podcast episodes across different websites uses XML-formatted files called RSS feeds. These files contain information about the episode and the podcast itself.
Hardware
The most basic things you need for a podcast are a computer and a microphone. It also helps to have a quiet, sound-proof room and headphones. Your computer should have software for recording or streaming. Most microphones for podcasts connect using USB. If more than one person is talking, each needs a microphone. A USB audio interface is needed to mix their voices together. If the podcast includes video, you might need a separate webcam and extra lighting.
See also
In Spanish: Pódcast para niños
