Skip to content

Podcast

Definition of Podcast

A podcast belongs to a series of audio content that can be listened to on demand from a digital or online platform, at any time and from anywhere.

It is an audio content, available through a file or streaming. The advantage of the podcast is that it is an on-demand format; the user listens to it when he/she wants to. It can be listened to on a variety of devices and this has helped to increase its popularity.

SYNONYMS FOR Podcast

  1. Webinar
  2. Broadcast
  3. Audio
  4. Audio file
  5. Audio program

ORIGIN OF Podcast

The creation of the podcast dates back to 2004. At that time it was simply a technological innovation that made it easier for radio stations to broadcast their programs on a delayed basis. Stations could post podcasts on the Internet and listeners could download them at their convenience.

The word “podcast”, invented by Guardian journalist Ben Hammersley, is a contraction of “iPod” (the portable player created by the U.S. company Apple that allowed users to download audio files) and “broadcast” (broadcasting), and it accurately reflected both characteristics.

A podcast is a digital radio recording that is available whenever the listener wants it. In most cases, they have one or more presenters who speak or discuss a given topic.

However, the term podcast is not limited to audio format only, but can also be used for video recordings and discussions. The only requirement for listening to a podcast is to have a device on which it can be stored and played back.

CURIOSITIES OF Podcast

Podcast variants according to their playback can be audio, video, enhanced or screencasts, the latter being a digital recording of the computer screen, also known as a video screen capture with audio narration.