Simply put, a podcast is an audio show that can be streamed or downloaded to your computer or mobile device. They’re like radio shows, but you can listen to them at your convenience, and they’re often focused on niche topics that you might not hear about elsewhere.
Podcasts have been around since 2004 when Adam Curry and Dave Winer created the first one called “The Daily Source Code.” But they didn’t really take off until Apple added support for podcasts in 2005 with the release of iTunes 4.9. Now there are tens of thousands of them available on all sorts of topics—from business and entrepreneurship to health and fitness to food and cooking. And people are listening: According to Edison Research, 24% of Americans ages 12+ have listened to a podcast in the last month!
They're typically produced by individuals or small teams and cover a wide range of topics - from news and politics to comedy and sports.
Podcasts have exploded in popularity in recent years. In fact, according to Apple's latest figures, there are now more than 550,000 active podcasts with over 18.5 billion episodes available worldwide.
So why are people so drawn to podcasts? Well, for starters, they're a great way to stay informed or entertained while you're on the go. And unlike traditional radio broadcasts, you can listen to them at your own convenience - whether that's while you're working out at the gym or driving in your car. Plus, many podcasts are free to download or stream online.
If you've never listened to a podcast, now's the time to start. They're free...and fun....and you're bound to find plenty that cover your favourite topics, no matter how niche those interests are.
Give them a try today...you never know...you may become addicted like millions of listeners around the globe.
