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May 31, 2005
What if Howard Stern Podcasted instead?
This has been discussed elsewhere before, but Rexblog has a very interesting take on the business behind podcasting, and throws around the idea of Howard Stern podcasting instead of joining SIRIUS.
Great thoughts, but one flaw with the theory is the artistic limitations of Podcasting.
Podcasting has an inherit problem - it’s delayed… very delayed. A podcast is only accessable once it’s complete, so the real time abilities are removed and in turn there’s a disconnect with the DJ and Listener. Howard talks about current events and things that happened the night before - that’s part of his whole appeal. Howard interacts with his listeners during phonecalls about things he’s talking about in real time - these interactions make him the entertainer he is. I was listening to Howard when the first plane hit the WTC only to look into the horizon and see the plume of smoke. This is something you can never get from Podcasting.
May 31, 2005 09:41 AM
Comments
Podcasting isn't a replacement for live radio, but instead a compliment to it (much like audio CDs are a compliment to live music). If the material doesn't "need" to be live, podcasting is a very viable alternative to over-the-air delivery.
Howard's show is a natural for podcasting because much of his humor doesn't need to be live (as anyone who has heard his too-frequent---IMO---"Best of Stern" shows can attest). I've ripped the tracks from his "Crucified by the FCC" CDs and loaded into my MP3 player, and they're still funny as hell even though I've heard them literally hundreds of times. I'd be willing to pay to download more of my favorite bits by Howard, and I'd be willing to buy an internet subscription to Sirius just to keep hearing him after this December.
There's really no difference between podcasting and a radio broadcast on tape except that with podcasting you get to determine when and how you will hear it, not the station.
Posted by: Harry at May 31, 2005 10:08 AM
True but if Howard exclusively podcasted you'd still never get that magic that's captured for the Best Of material. There's material that's timeless - absolutely - but part of the live interaction with the audience is what really makes radio work.
I'm not anti-Podcasting (not sure if I came across that way), but I feel it has it's place and it's uses. Some broadcasters are meant to be Podcasting, while others need to be Live. To each their own.
Posted by: Ryan at May 31, 2005 10:14 AM
Simple solution: play the show live in the morning and then make it available later as a podcast. That would be good for people who can't listen in the morning or for people who missed a bit they want to hear.
Posted by: Monmin at May 31, 2005 11:59 AM
Btw - I don't think Stern will allow podcasts to be avaiblable. He wants the show to air in the morning and thats it. He has already said he is against the idea of running the show multiple times througout the day. It complicates the ad revenue and the show loses some of its 'specialness'.
Posted by: Monmin at May 31, 2005 12:02 PM
