What is a podcast actually? You have surely heard the name before, but if you are in doubt about what it is, read on here. 

A podcast is a digital media file that contains either audio or video. If you were to compare it to something, it is somewhat like a radio show, as it comes as either a monologue or dialogue. The format of a podcast can vary. It can be anything from an interview, a conversation, monologue, a panel to storytelling, whether it is fact or fiction. A podcast can also consist of a radio show that you listen to after it has been broadcast live.

Something that makes podcasts so interesting is that it doesn't have to be a program made by a radio station. Companies, organizations, and even private individuals also have the opportunity to create a podcast.

As for the actual content of a podcast, the topics are broad and varied. It can be anything from lifestyle topics, music, health, true crime, love and sex, societal debating podcasts, or podcasts for children, etc.  

See our large selection of various podcasts right here.

Typically, a podcast lasts somewhere between 20-30 minutes, but there is really no limit to how long it can be. Likewise, there are hardly any limits to how many can participate in a podcast - neither in terms of the number of hosts or guests. 

Where can you listen to podcasts?

How do you listen to podcasts? Podcasts are released in series that you can subscribe to and download. 

You download them as an audio file on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. The only thing it requires is that you have a program that can play podcasts - for example, like Podimo.

The history behind podcasts

What does podcast even mean? The word 'podcast' is a contraction of the words iPod and broadcasting (in Danish: to transmit for general or public use). It was the British journalist Ben Hammersley who suggested the name in an article in The Guardian in 2004. 

The word "pod" in podcast has, however, over time changed meaning. Today it stands instead for "Personal On Demand". With this new phrase and with the word casting, podcast thus comes to mean "Personal On Demand Casting" or in Danish "personal broadcasts for collection".

Many mistakenly believe that it is Steve Jobs and Apple who invented the podcast, which is not the case. However, Apple played a role, as they made the technology behind podcasts accessible to many users.

It is the internet entrepreneur Adam Curry (b. 1964) and software engineer Dave Winer (b. 1955) who are most often credited for making podcasts a reality. 

In 2004, Dave Winer developed the software that made it possible for users to download online radio programs to their iPod. One could thus through an RRS feed broadcast to for example their iPod and bypass radio stations.

Adam Curry used his experience and exposure as a former VJ on MTV to create attention around the service. Curry started his own podcast "Daily source code", where he talked about his own life, the news, and played music. The podcast quickly gained 500,000 subscribers, and Curry has since been dubbed "the Podfather" because he made so many aware of the podcast industry.

Just a year after it came about, the word 'podcast' was chosen as the word of the year by the Oxford American Dictionary.

Today, it is not only professional media that release podcasts. Also, smaller podcasts from private individuals and enthusiasts have come into play, thanks to the spread of technology. 

The popularity of podcasts over the years

Although podcasts have existed since 2004, it is only in recent years that it has truly taken off and become extremely popular in Denmark. Back in 2008, only 8% of the population had listened to a podcast in the last three months. Today, that number has multiplied, and in 2020, it was a staggering 40% of the Danish population who had listened to a podcast in the last three months.

It is especially through the younger age groups that one has seen an increase in recent years. In 2017, 16% of teenagers listened to podcasts every week, and a whole 25% of those aged 20-39 did as well. 

Today, we see that among the 15-31 year olds in Denmark, a full 44% listen to podcasts each week. 

A contributing factor to the podcast wave spreading in such a way occurred when the then Radio24syv began to publish their radio programs as podcasts in 2019. Radio24syv had more listeners on their podcasts than when they broadcast the programs live.

This is also due to the fact that over the years, more and more Danish-language podcasts have emerged. Today, there are more than 2,500 Danish-language podcasts - and a total of 1.8 million worldwide.

In 2020, the number rose to 26% of the population who listen to podcasts weekly. This came in the wake of the pandemic when people suddenly had more time at home and to delve into things. 

That is why podcasts are so popular

There are many reasons why podcasts have become so popular over the years. One of the big reasons for its popularity is its accessibility, and that it is easy and straightforward. Thanks to smartphones, you can listen to podcasts anywhere - anytime.

It suits a generation that is often on the go. With a podcast in your ears, you can make the bus or train ride a bit more exciting. 

You can also have a podcast running while you do the boring chores at home like cleaning up or cooking. With a podcast, there are indeed good possibilities for multitasking. 

Last but not least, there are so many exciting podcasts here at home, where the topics spread in every direction. So almost regardless of what you are interested in, there will be something to find for everyone’s taste. You get the opportunity to immerse yourself in a wealth of exciting stories, which not only entertain you but also make you smarter.

At Podimo, we have some of the best podcasts that span across many different genres, people, and opinions. Listen along here in our collection of carefully selected podcasts.