

The listener or viewer uses special client application software on a computer or media player, known as a podcast client, which accesses this web feed, checks it for updates, and downloads any new files in the series. Podcasting studio in What Cheer Writers Club in Providence, Rhode IslandĪ podcast generator maintains a central list of the files on a server as a web feed that one can access through the Internet. Hosting companies then distribute these audio files to streaming services, such as Apple and Spotify, which users can listen to on their smartphones or digital music and multimedia players, like an iPhone.Īs of December 2022, there are at least 2,999,008 podcasts and 152,596,784 episodes. A podcaster normally buys this service from a podcast hosting company like SoundCloud or Libsyn. Podcasting is the preparation and distribution of audio files using RSS feeds to the devices of subscribed users. Because podcast content is often free, podcasting is often classified as a disruptive medium, adverse to the maintenance of traditional revenue models. In other cases, a podcast could be a business venture supported by some combination of a paid subscription model, advertising or product delivered after sale. Some podcasts are underwritten by corporations or sponsored, with the inclusion of commercial advertisements. The cost to the consumer is low, with many podcasts free to download.

Many podcast series provide an associated website with links and show notes, guest biographies, transcripts, additional resources, commentary, and occasionally a community forum dedicated to discussing the show's content. Podcasts combine elaborate and artistic sound production with thematic concerns ranging from scientific research to slice-of-life journalism. Discussion and content within a podcast can range from carefully scripted to completely improvised. Ī podcast series usually features one or more recurring hosts engaged in a discussion about a particular topic or current event. There are also podcast search engines, which help users find and share podcast episodes.

Streaming applications and podcasting services provide a convenient and integrated way to manage a personal consumption queue across many podcast sources and playback devices. Podcasts are primarily an audio medium, with some programs offering a supplemental video component. For example, an episodic series of digital audio files that a user can download to a personal device to listen to at a time of their choosing.

The Serial podcast being played through the Apple Podcasts app on an iPhoneĪ podcast is a program made available in digital format for download over the Internet.
