There is a fuzzy little line between radio and podcasts as they are both
audio-based content mediums that have a very similar way of working.
Some people may not know what's the difference and, if you are stuck on one of them, if it's
even worth it to give the other a try.
media update's Saads Abrahams tunes into the differences and similarities between radio and podcasts here:
What is a podcast?
A podcast is a
pre-recorded audio show that users can subscribe to or download to listen to.
What is radio?
Radio is a
live audio broadcast that listeners can tune into on specific frequencies based on location.
Scheduled versus on demand
Radio shows follow a
strict schedule. News has a specific slot; each show has a specific time slot, and each show would have its own small focus for the day. But topics usually jump around and listeners are able to call in live and get involved.
These are
engaging for the listeners, but they are given a small time frame of interest in order to stick to the predefined schedule at hand. If a listener is busy or not paying attention, they can
miss information and are not able to go back and listen to it.
Podcasts, however, are pre-recorded and are more "
episodic"; listeners are able to subscribe to and download them to listen to at their
own leisure.
With a podcast, mistakes are allowed to be made because it
can be edited — unlike radio, which is live. Podcasts are also able to see what topics are trending and then do their research and create a whole episode around that topic.
Specific audience versus the general public
Radio is created for the
general public. This then means that they need to discuss topics such as:
- current events
- news
- sports, and
- trending topics
And as much as they can touch on controversial topics, they have
rules and
guidelines that they need to adhere to.
Podcasts are cool in the fact that they
do not need to discuss current events or politics. Podcasts can be
created around niche topics and the creator's personal interests such as:
- marketing
- conspiracy theories
- mental health, and
- comedy shows.
This brings us to our next point!
Regulated versus freedom
Radio shows are
completely regulated. They have strict rules and regulations that they need to follow. These rules come from their government and for radio stations to continue to broadcast they have to abide by them.
Things such as foul language, discrimination and defamation of character are things that can get a radio station and its presenters in a lot of trouble.
Podcasts however are given much more
freedom of speech. No topics are off limits, and the speakers are free to
speak their minds however they find comfortable. Listeners are notified before listening to a podcast that it may contain "explicit content", which then gives the
listener the choice if they want to listen or skip it.
Podcasts also
do not have a time limit. Podcasts can be as short as ten minutes or as long as two hours, whereas
radio shows are limited to a few hours until the next show.
Pre-recorded versus live
The stark difference between radio and podcasts is that
radio shows are live and
podcasts are pre-recorded. Now, you might be thinking:
What difference does that make? Well, a pretty big one actually.
So with a pre-recorded show,
mistakes can be edited out, giving the podcasts this almost perfect feel about them. They can add music to a show to add ambience and research a topic thoroughly before it is discussed.
However, there is this beautiful kind of "
unhinged-ness" that comes with a live show. Presenters need to make sure that they don't say anything that could get them in trouble despite getting curve balls thrown at them all the time — and the comedic gold that can come with that is
unmatched.
Additionally, listeners can call in and
get involved with the presenters, and this gives the listeners a sense of
community and connection that just
cannot be created with a podcast.
There is also more work that comes with listening to a podcast. You need to look for the podcast you want to listen to and then find the
episode you want to listen to.
With the radio, you turn on your car or push a button on your stereo at home and your favourite station is on. And it's also easy to pick a new station if you are not enjoying what is currently airing.
via GIPHY
Do you prefer listening to a podcast or the radio? Let us know in the comments section below.
*Image courtesy of Canva