When is a podcast not a podcast?

The one where I show my age...

YouTube Music’s integration of podcasts has done more than just provide another avenue for listening; it’s reignited the debate over what a podcast really is. The line between audio and video content is becoming increasingly blurred leaving creators confused over the intention of their content; should it be heard or watched? And how do you decide what takes priority?

Studies show Gen Z are flocking to YouTube to listen to podcasts. But a Gen Z definition of a podcast may not align with the original definition of a podcast. Younger listeners have grown up in an age dominated by YouTube's multifaceted video content. To them, the boundary between audio and video is a fine line; a podcast might as easily be a visual experience as it is an auditory one.

But for those who remember the dawn of podcasts, during the era of iPods and early streaming platforms, a podcast is more likely to be considered audio only. This demographic (myself included) will remember the origins of the word 'podcast'; a combination of 'iPod' and 'broadcast', speaking volumes about its audio-centric origins.

As technology continues to evolve and platforms merge, will the traditional perception of podcasts hold its ground? Or will the term be forced to evolve and its definition alter to include a wider range of multimedia content?

✂️ Cut The Tape

If you’re wondering whether to add video to your audio-only podcast then here are some questions to ponder before you buy a green screen.

• What is the best medium for your message?

• What content is your audience interested in?

• What platform(s) is your audience already committed to?

• Will your content/message be enhanced by the visuals you are intending to add?

🎧 #Podcasting

• A look back over the last six months of podcasting as Amrita Khalid hands HotPod back to Ariel Shapiro | The Verge

• Research shows potential audience of 106 million for branded podcasts | Inside Radio

• Apple may include ads in its original shows | Apple Insider

• Wondery creating three ad-supported Freevee TV channels for their podcasts | Digiday

• Alexa adds support for Apple Podcasts to more countries | Tweaktown

• A round-up of last week’s IAB Podcast Upfront in London | The Media Leader

• Take That to release backstory podcast | Podcasting Today

• Amaze Labs launch targeted podcast advertising on ‘contextually relevant, high-quality websites’ | Radio ink

• Audio Production Awards nominees announced | Audio UK

• What can we learn from commercial radio to create high performing audio creative? | Inside Radio

🎶 #SoundDesign

• 20 years of the McDonalds jingle | Marketing Brew

• First spatial audio synthesiser created by Sound Particles | Music Radar

• Immersive 3D-audio studio opens in Berlin | Inavate

🔮 #AudioFuture

• Six seconds of audio to diagnose Type 2 Diabetes | The Mirror

• AI used to create ‘new’ Beatles track | Forbes

• IndyCar experience enhanced by AI background noise removal | Forbes

• Report into leading innovators in binaural spatial audio in tech, and what they’re working on | Verdict

🗣️ #SocialAudio

There was no #AllThingsAudio this week but hit the pic below to hear some of our recent episodes where we have discussed voice notes being added to Threads and why Spotify and Amazon couldn’t make a go of social audio.

Follow All Things Audio wherever you listen to podcasts to make sure you never miss an episode. Leave a rating and/or review to help more people find us.

I will always take the time to hear Dallas Taylor talk about sound. In this episode of ‘How to Be a Better Human’ Dallas talks about how he came to live, love and work in sound.

He discusses the booj, the joy of superhero trailers as well as misophonia and the rise of sonic logos. He also talks about John Cage’s 4’33’’ and the reality of the search for silence; something I am obsessed with and my own podcast Uncaged explores.

It’s all about binaural audio for me as the week draws to a close. I am heading to a local binaural sound workshop and then will be back using the Roland CS-10Em’s as I revisit my Uncaged podcast as part of this year’s #NaPodPoMo. More on that next week.

Keep listening!

Suze