Audiocasting's, aka podcasting, perfect storm

I just read a post by SiliconValleyWatcher Tom Foremski entitled "My First Podcast...."  It sounds he's referring to a baby taking its first step or getting its first tooth. What's the big deal with podcasting (which doesn't require Apple's iPod, so let's just call them audiocasts)? You record some audio (with good equipment), make an MP3 file, upload it, make it available via a blog, Web page and syndicate as an RSS feed. We've been loading audio on the Web for years. Syndication is nice, but it shouldn't make people giddy about putting audio on the Web. Remember audible.com? It's been around since the ancient Internet days of 1998.

Yesterday we learned that Fox Broadcasting joined the huge parade of podcasters. Fox has discovered that "podcasting is a phenomenal concept, and it's going to explode," according to company executive Chris Carlisle. In other words, downloadable audio files is going to be big. No kidding...

Fox and others will flood the Web with downloadable promos (ads) for its shows, which will please watchers of "24" and other Fox programming. And, there is great content from the BBC, NPR and other media outlets. On the tech side, hopefully you've listened to ZDNet audiocasts, The Gillmor Gang,  ITConversations, podshow.com, and Sam Whitmore, to name a few.

The conditions are ripe for the podcasting audiocasting perfect storm--millions of content creators have low-cost means of production; storage is cheap; the Web is an infinite band radio tuner and distribution medium; low-cost digital audio players and computers are in the hands of the masses; creativity is not in short supply; and people want more than what comes over the traditional airwaves. 

Audiocasting is following the same trajectory as blogs. What started as a grassroots effort is becoming mainstream. It complements, improves and greatly expands what exists in the content realm. It's a natural extension of what has been evolving over the last several years in allowing anyone on the Web to become a publisher or broadcaster. In the next year, audiocasting will be energized as many more people discover, like Tom, how easy it is to distribute your spoken words or sound tracks via downloadable audio files, accessible to billions. The ongoing challenge for any audiocast creator or marketer will be in being heard...