Survey: Podcast Numbers Show 'Few Hooked'

[engine]

The number of US internet users who have experimented with downloading a podcast continues to grow but few remain hooked, research suggests.

The survey by the Pew Internet and American Life Project found 12% of US people online had downloaded a podcast.

Earlier this year, a survey by the same research group found that just 7% of online Americans had downloaded a show.

Podcast numbers show 'few hooked' [news.bbc.co.uk]

Another survey, yawn!

Either way, that looks like good growth.

[mack]

I have also experimented with Pod casts and I think the main problem is once you subscribe you soon wish you hadn't. It's almost like signing up for a newsletter. You want the info now, you may not want to continue receiving it.

Mack.

[percentages]

Every once in a while, every once in a while, you might find something that appeals to you. But, it is rarely sustainable!

TV without commercials has limited appeal based upon audience numbers, so does radio.

In the car I play CD's. I watch network TV via Tivo, and skip the Ads. Why do I need a Podcast of anything?

[vincevincevince]

If they could figure out a way of getting the podcast onto the player without me having to do it manually every day then it would be something I'd use.

I tried it once, far too much work involved. I ended up listening to the same BBC Radio 4 interview every day for a week before deciding a song collection to be much more efficient.

In my opinion the technology is just not there yet. We need the player to connect to wireless internet and download the latest updates itself - not demand you to do it.

[mack]

If they could figure out a way of getting the pod cast onto the player without me having to do it manually every day then it would be something I'd use

iTunes seams to have addresses this issue. It downloads any updates to your pod cast in the background and then you can listen to it as and when you want, but I think the lack of appeal is due to to to "issues" being entirely related to the very same thing. Generally if someone wants to subscribe to something , they have had something catch their attention. Deviate at al from this specific topic and the user will probably unsubscribe.

Mack.

[vincevincevince]

iTunes seams to have addresses this issue. It downloads any updates to your pod cast in the background and then you can listen to it as and when you want

I'd be interested to know more about this. Does it allow you to avoid connection to your PC? Ideally I'd like to be able to have the player download updates using my wireless whilst left outside (but withing range) in the car.

[Hawkgirl]

There's only one podcast that I subscribe to - and I listen to every single episode. But it's also not a true podcast (i.e., created specifically to be a downloadable audio file) - it's just a repackage of an FM radio show that I can't get where I live.

I have yet to find any other podcast that is actually worth it.

There seems to be plenty of content out there, and I would love to have more content to listen to ... but so far, I've not found anything that suits me.

> We need the player to connect to wireless internet and download the latest updates itself - not demand you to do it.

On my old iPod (4GB, packed full), this would have been a problem. Too much data, not enough room, so I needed to manage everything manually.

On my newer device (recently sprang for a new 80GB toy), this'd work great!

But actually, I still like doing everything myself. I hate the idea of devices doing things without me. I need to have control. :)

[mack]

vincevincevince
To be honest im not sure about getting it to the iPod or device. I only listen to casts on my PC. Dont even own an iPod, got a Zend player (no podcast support)

With iTunes It simple checks periodicaly and downloads any additional casts. You can then play it on PC.

Mack.