Radio, On-Demand, When You Want It

Podcasting is radio your way. Podcasts are radio-style shows - some from major media, others from passionate individuals - delivered over the Internet to your computer. Unlike streaming audio, which requires you to listen in real time, podcasting lets you control how and when you hear your favorite shows.

Next Generation Radio

Podcasts differ from traditional internet audio in two important ways. In the past, listeners have had to either tune in to web radio on a schedule, or they have had to actively download individual files from webpages. Podcasts are more flexible and much easier to get. They can be listened to at any time because a copy is on the listener's computer or portable music player, such as an Apple iPod and they are automatically delivered to subscribers, so no active downloading is required.

How Podcasting Differs from Downloading

Podcasting is different from broadcasting and webcasting in that it "casts" audio not by a mechanism of centrally pushing audio out to listeners, but by the mechanism of the (distributed) listeners pulling (downloading) the audio files automatically. Podcasters publish (or "podcast") audio files, even in the likeness of radio shows, but it is the individual listener who initiates the "cast" through their subscription and automatic download of the audio program.

Create Your Own Podcast

For organizations or individuals, this means that you can create your very own syndicated radio show, delivered over the Internet to active listeners. This is a great way for businesses to market their products or services, educational facilities to deliver on-demand e-learning, corporations to provide off-site training or even individuals to share their knowledge about a specific topic.

Next: History of Podcasting