Podcasting has been around for some time and had its ups and downs. Right now it is in total UP mode. Why are they so popular now? Why are so many people, famous and not so famous, looking to tap in to the market? Because its inexpensive, personal and the audience is a prime market. Let’s do a DIGITAL INTERVENTION and find out.
Most people that listen to podcast listen on the way to work, on the subway and in the car. Apple Carplay and Android Auto Are Going To Push Podcasting Popularity Through The Roof.
According to Edison Research, 39 million people listened to a podcast
in the last month, the highest number on record.
Podcast Popularity
Today, a very different problem exists: There are too many great podcasts to keep up with. There’s “Serial,” the true-crime drama hosted by “This American Life” producer Sarah Koenig. There’s “99% Invisible,” a design-themed podcast hosted by Roman Mars that has run several mega-successful Kickstarter campaigns. There’s “StartUp,” another product of the public-radio diaspora, which tells the episodic story of NPR veteran Alex Blumberg’s attempt to create a podcasting business. Then there are the celebrities: Ice T, Snooki from Jersey Shore, Stone Cold Steve Austin — podcasters all. My favorite podcast right now is The Nerdist, hosted by Chris Hardwick, Jonah Ray and Matt Mira. This dynamic trio is damn funny, witty and has great guests for interviews. If youre going to listen for the first time try the episode with Jeff Bridges #3.
The crew form The Nerdist – Matt Mira, Chris Hardwick and Jonah Ray
It’s actually about cars.
The success of radio is due largely to commuters and specifically those in cars. An estimated 44 percent of all radio listening takes place in the car, and that’s the way the radio industry likes it. Drivers’ dedication to the AM/FM spectrum has made radio a remarkably stable medium — even in 2013, according to the Pew Research Center and Nielsen Audio, 91 percent of Americans over age 12 listened to the radio on a weekly basis.
Enter Google and Apple who are rolling out connected-car platforms (Android Auto and Apple CarPlay), Most new cars sold in the U.S. these days come with the ability to play smartphone audio over the car’s speakers, either through Bluetooth connectivity or through a USB or auxiliary plug. It is expected by 2016 100% of all cars will be connected this way.
So Podcasts are on the rise and cars will be 100% connected. Some of the allure with Podcasts is that they are personal. The guests are genuine and excited about their products. According to a study done by the Harvard Health Watch, an average American spends 101 minutes per day driving. That means that in a lifetime, an average person spends a whopping 37,935 hours driving a car. So you will drive around 798,000 miles (1,284,256 kilometers), which is approximately the distance it takes to drive to the moon more than three times! You get the picture.
This level of engagement is good news for sponsors, especially since 54 percent of podcast listeners have actually made a purchase from podcast ads, a striking figure. Then there’s the brand awareness that comes with being active in such a personal niche. My suggestion to you is to get your own Podcast and solve problems of the world.