For this final assignment Simon Worley and I chose to look into the podcast as a form of text and specifically the effect of the podcast “Serial“.
In keeping with the topic of our assignment we felt it only appropriate to present our findings in the format of a podcast on podcasts.
The Serial Effect: The Evolution of Podcast Storytelling
If the player above does not work, please click on the image below to access the podcast.
For those who prefer to access information in a visual and written format please see the interactive graphic below with accompanying elaborations.
The Rise of the Podcast
Click on the finger in the upper right corner of the interactive graphic below to explore interactive elements.
Listener Demographics:
The podcasting landscape has experienced significant growth, attracting a diverse audience. According to recent data, the listener demographic is as follows: 57% white, 13% African American, 16% Hispanic, 4% Asian, and 10% fall into the “other” category. This diversity reflects the broad appeal of podcasts across various communities (Buzzsprout, March 2023).
Listening Habits:
Understanding how listeners engage with podcasts is crucial. A substantial 78% of podcast consumers prefer to tune in via their cell phones, highlighting the portability and convenience of this medium. The car serves as another popular listening environment, with 22% of listeners enjoying podcasts during their commutes. Additionally, 13% opt for laptops or PCs for their podcast consumption, emphasizing the versatility of the medium (Buzzsprout, March 2023; Shewale, 2023).
Preferred Platforms:
Podcast listeners exhibit varied preferences when it comes to platforms. The data reveals that Apple Podcasts leads the way, capturing 43.2% of the market. Spotify follows closely behind with a 30.0% share, while Google Podcasts holds a 2.9% slice of the pie. These figures underscore the importance of multiple platforms in reaching diverse audiences (Buzzsprout, October 2023; Shewale, 2023).
Serial Dominates the Charts:
One standout in the podcasting sphere is “Serial,” a true crime series that has left an indelible mark. With over 300 million downloads, “Serial” has become the most downloaded podcast, captivating audiences with its gripping storytelling and investigative journalism. Its unprecedented success has not only solidified its place in podcast history but has also contributed significantly to the medium’s popularity (Blair, 2022).
Monthly Download Metrics:
The podcasting industry continues to experience robust growth, with over 140 million monthly podcast downloads. This metric reflects the sustained interest and engagement of a global audience, highlighting the enduring appeal of podcasts as a form of entertainment, education, and storytelling (Buzzsprout, October 2023)..
Global Reach:
Podcasts have transcended geographical boundaries, with listeners tuning in from around the world. The United States leads with 49.6% of total listeners, followed by the United Kingdom at 6.0%, Canada at 4.5%, Australia at 4.1%, Taiwan at 3.5%, Germany at 2.5%, and Vietnam at 1.9%. This global reach emphasizes the universal appeal of podcasts and their ability to connect with audiences across cultures. (Buzzsprout, October 2023)
The rise of podcasts is marked by a diverse audience, varied listening habits, and a global reach. As “Serial” and other podcasts continue to break records and captivate audiences, the podcasting industry stands as a dynamic and influential force in the world of media and entertainment, representing a shift from text to speech in the evolving landscape of content consumption.
References:
Blair, E. (2022, September 21). Serial was the definition of binge listening when it was released in 2014. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2022/09/20/1124141699/serial-adnan-syed
Buzzsprout. (2023, March 07). Podcast statistics and data [March 2023]. https://www.buzzsprout.com/blog/podcast-statistics
Buzzsprout. (2023, October). Buzzsprout Podcast Stats. https://www.buzzsprout.com/stats
Curcic, D. (2023, June 7). Audiobook Statistics. WordsRated. https://wordsrated.com/audiobook-statistics/
Desjardins, J. (2019, March 12). The podcasting boom explained. Visual Capitalist. https://www.visualcapitalist.com/podcasting-boom-explained-infographic/
Dhaliwal, N. (2023, June 18). 10 Audiobook Stats in 2023 You Should Know. Good e-Reader. https://goodereader.com/blog/audiobooks/10-audiobook-stats-you-should-know-in-2023
Edison Research. (2023a, February 14). Top 50 most listened to podcasts in the U.S. Q3-Q4 2022 from Edison Podcast Metrics. https://www.edisonresearch.com/top-50-most-listened-to-podcasts-in-the-u-s-q4-2022-from-edison-podcast-metrics/
Edison Research. (2023b, September 27). Weekly Insights 8.10.22 – does anyone really know what time it is (that people listen to podcasts)? https://www.edisonresearch.com/weekly-insights-8-10-22-does-anyone-really-know-what-time-it-is-that-people-listen-to-podcasts/
Edison. (2022, October 27). The spoken word audio report 2022 from NPR and Edison Research. Edison Research. https://www.edisonresearch.com/the-spoken-word-audio-report-2022-from-npr-and-edison-research/
Götting, M. C. (n.d.). Topic: Podcasting industry. Statista. https://www.statista.com/topics/3170/podcasting/
Intelligence, I. (2021, July 29). Podcast industry report: Market growth & statistics in 2022. Insider Intelligence. https://www.insiderintelligence.com/insights/the-podcast-industry-report-statistics/
Podcast content is growing audio engagement. Nielsen. (2022, July 21). https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2020/podcast-content-is-growing-audio-engagement/
Podchaser Pro – podcast PR and Advertising Tool. Podchaser. (2022, December 13). https://features.podchaser.com/learn/ebooks/best-day-to-publish-a-podcast/
Scholes, R. (1992). Canonicity and textuality. In J. Gibaldi (Ed), Introduction to scholarship in modern languages and literatures (2nd ed., pp. 138-158). Modern Languages Association of America. http://pages.mtu.edu/~rlstrick/rsvtxt/scholes.pdf
‘Serial’ & The Case Against the Criminal Justice System | The Takeaway (2014, December 18). WNYC Studios. https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/takeaway/segments/serial-and-case-against-criminal-justice-system
Shewale, R. (2023, October 19). 54 podcast Statistics: Listeners, growth & trends (2023). demandsage. https://www.demandsage.com/podcast-statistics/#:~:text=Podcast%20Statistics%20At%20A%20Glance%20(Our%20Top%20Picks) &text=There%20are%20464.7%20million%20podcast,70%20million%20episodes%20betwe en%20them.
Hello Mike and Simon,
Great job on the final project. I too believe that the world of podcasting and other forms of long form audio (and video) content that are now so accessible are having a huge impact on education and culture. I feel like it is the greatest time to be alive in terms of access to information and lifelong learning. I appreciate Simon’s comment that podcasts will democratize who can be heard. There certainly is far lower barriers to entry in cost and knowhow to be a creator/producer now. I appreciated reading your thoughts on it as I am working on my final project and trying to sum up some much older text technology and map the lessons learned onto the modern change, we are seeing in communication technology. I agree that these new forms of accessible audio learning are changing things rapidly. What educational role do you see for audio or podcasts in the academic world for an online program like the one we are in?
Thanks.
Rich
Hi Rich,
Your final assignment sounds very intriguing I am going to have to take a look at it.
I think audio and podcasts can play a large roll in the academic world, and not just in an online or distance program like MET. As a Teacher-Librarian I am seeing an increasing need to support students with reading differences in their English classes, this has led us into the world of audiobooks and providing students with them as an accessibility tool. In fact several of our English teachers are electing to play audio books for the whole class instead of reading the book aloud themselves. Several of our language and French Immersion teachers are also leaning towards having students prepare podcasts instead of presentations in front of the class, or individually interviewing students during class time. The lower barrier you mention also allows for more minority or marginalized voices to be heard and shared in-class which is a great bonus in providing our students with a wider range of perspectives – some caution needs to be taken to vet the content of course, but it is a far cry from the days of a single textbook representing a very narrow narrative or perspective.
Thanks for your comment.