In this episode of the podcast “Podcasting is the Media,” hosts Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee explore significant changes and developments within the podcasting industry. Todd Cochrane starts the conversation by reflecting on the broad perspective that podcasting and online media have become synonymous with mainstream media. Rob mentions specific shifts, like Comcast’s move away from mainstream cable channels due to declining audiences.

Rob Greenlee expands on the idea, discussing the role of video in podcasting and how major platforms have influenced the industry’s evolution. He talks about the derogatory treatment of video podcasting by more giant platforms like Spotify and the industry’s potential mistakes in handling video content. The discussion shifts to technical aspects of podcast video delivery and the economic factors that host platforms must consider.

Further into the episode, Todd highlights Apple’s responsiveness and innovation regarding podcasts, hinting at upcoming features that could benefit podcast creators. The conversation turns to the complexities introduced by platforms like Spotify.

The hosts also touch upon censorship and content management issues on various platforms, and Todd shares insights into some podcasts facing challenges with Spotify over content rights and licensing. They delve into the broader implications of how platforms manage user content and the potential barriers that proprietary platforms can establish, which may affect the open nature of podcasting typically enabled by RSS feeds.

The conversation takes a broader turn as they discuss the transitions from broadcasting to podcasting, referencing significant shifts seen within industries as mainstream media figures move to independent podcasting ventures. This leads to a discussion about ‘new media’ and whether traditional platforms like radio and cable are still relevant compared to the rapidly evolving podcast space.

Toward the end of the episode, Rob reflects on the potential future of podcasting, suggesting that it might increasingly blend with general online content creation rather than be a standalone format. This leads to their final thoughts on the importance of maintaining an open platform for podcasting, contrasting it with more closed ecosystems like YouTube or proprietary streaming services, where creators have less control.

This episode provides a comprehensive overview of the podcast industry’s current state and challenges, particularly focusing on the impact of technological changes, platform policies, and the shift toward more controlled content environments. The hosts emphasize the importance of maintaining the open, innovative spirit of podcasting amidst these developments.

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In this episode of the podcast, hosts Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee discuss various topics related to the podcasting industry.

1. **Podcast Hall of Fame Updates:**
– Rob Greenlee talks about his recent work with the Podcast Hall of Fame, including updating the website and setting up a new board of governors to make the organization more inclusive. He mentions plans to have a more formalized nomination and voting process, aiming to expand recognition globally, although he acknowledges the challenges due to the shorter history of podcasting in international markets.

2. **Media Industry Observations:**
– The hosts discuss recent changes in the media, explicitly mentioning layoffs at iHeart and the overall shrinking job market in traditional media sectors like radio. They speculate these changes might be preemptive measures by companies bracing for an economic downturn.

3. **Spotify’s Video Podcast Offerings:**
-Discussion surfaces about Spotify’s push into video podcasting, including its strategy to offer ad-free video podcast viewing for premium subscribers in several countries and how it plans to compensate hosts based on viewership milestones.

4. **Buying Podcast Ads:**
Quoting Rocky Thomas from SoundStack at the ASI Radio and Audio Conference, the challenges of buying podcast ads are addressed. It was noted that although there are numerous advertising options in podcasting, the process remains cumbersome, which could be streamlined by aligning podcast ad buying terminologies more closely with those used in radio advertising.

5. **Live Audience Interaction:**
Throughout the podcast, Todd and Rob take comments from a live-streaming audience, answering questions and acknowledging listeners tuning into the broadcast.

6. **Future Planning:**
They discuss plans for the Podcast Hall of Fame, suggesting possibilities like hosting multiple induction ceremonies yearly to handle backlogs and increase recognition frequency. Todd also suggested a new podcast series featuring interviews with Hall of Fame inductees.

Throughout the episode, Todd and Rob blend their in-depth discussion of technical and industry topics with listener interactions and personal anecdotes from their extensive experience in podcasting, creating an informative yet conversational atmosphere.

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In the podcast episode titled “Legacy media is dead – Long live Podcasting!” hosts Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee discuss various issues concerning the state of media, particularly focusing on the rise of podcasting and its impact on traditional media, politics, and advertising.

The episode begins with Todd experiencing technical issues with his RODECaster Duo, which keeps disconnecting from his MacBook. This leads to a discussion on potential compatibility issues after a recent Mac update and the advantages of hardwired connections over wireless setups.

Rob shifts the conversation towards the influence of podcasting on the presidential election, suggesting that independent media, including podcasts, has become a significant source of information. He believes that podcasts offer detailed information and are less likely to spread falsehoods compared to traditional media. The hosts debate the role of podcasting in shaping public opinion, particularly during elections, and discuss the shift from celebrity endorsements to influencers like Joe Rogan who seem to resonate more with today’s voters.

There is a specific focus on how podcasting contrasts with legacy media. Todd reads a listener’s comment about how new media influencers potentially swayed voter behavior in favor of specific candidates. This leads to a broader discussion on the trustworthiness of media sources and the evolving landscape of media consumption where podcasts and online platforms are becoming more influential.

Throughout the episode, they express concerns about the potential misuse of editing within podcasts to misrepresent discussions—a practice they disdain and believe should be transparent to listeners. Both hosts reflect on the dynamics of media credibility and audience trust, analyzing how political biases and misinformation could tarnish media reliability.

Todd and Rob also talk about Spotify’s role in podcast distribution and advertising, touching upon issues with feed caching and their impact on content updates. They delve into technical aspects like the use of Brotli compression and its compatibility with Spotify’s systems, suggesting potential business motives behind technical decisions that affect podcast hosting and distribution.

Towards the end of the episode, the discussion pivots back to the impact of digital media on traditional broadcasting, with Rob suggesting that mainstream media must adapt or face diminishing relevance. They conclude by reaffirming their commitment to providing truthful, unedited content in their podcasts, promoting transparency and listener trust as foundational values.

Technical issues arise once again as Todd’s equipment loses connection, but despite these disruptions, the episode covers a range of topics linked to the overarching theme of shifting power dynamics in media due to the rise of podcasting and digital platforms.

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