Do you think Podcasts are the future of radio? The Big L shows could be made available as podcasts via the Big L App- and the subscriber (there would be a small charge) could select which ones they wanted. I just think this could be the future path of broadcasting in the 21st. Century’

I am currently listening to ‘Old Time Rock n Roll’ podcast no 828 carried on the Player.FM podcasting hosting App.

Quote: BigJohn wrote in post #1

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Do you think Podcasts are the future of radio? The Big L shows could be made available as podcasts via the Big L App- and the subscriber (there would be a small charge) could select which ones they wanted. I just think this could be the future path of broadcasting in the 21st. Century’

I am currently listening to ‘Old Time Rock n Roll’ podcast no 828 carried on the Player.FM podcasting hosting App.

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Have to agree with #6. As far as Big L is concerned, many shows are available on Listen Agan and also accessible via our app. and that's ideal for those who can't listen live, or wish to pick and choose. But where Big L really scores is the amount of live, interractive content. Something is lost when a live show isn't listened to live.

Ummmm. I only brought this up because it seems to be the way the vast number of people are using their phones to ‘ listen to radio’. I know its not ‘ radio’ as we know it- and as we grew up with it- but I get the impression everything is moving in this direction and us BigL and Caroline types are sort of ‘ living in the past’ Most kids these days have no idea how to tune in a radio receiver- all they know are smart phones and Bluetooth audio streamed to wireless speakers. Furthermore- podcasts are a way to monetize listening- where there are ‘subscribers’ to podcasts.

Look at the demise of internet radios. They are gradually being phased out in favour of Bluetooth-enabled and NFC speakers.

It could work for some stations, but I'm not sure it would be good for the like of Big L and Caroline, who thrive on tradditional, live radio, no matter what way it's delivered to your ears. I don't think the practice of paying for radio in this country will ever take off. It's always failed where it's been tried. The culture of radio for free is too ingrained and there are so many alternatives. Also, don't forget, Big L and Caroline are, by their very nature, not aimed at the younger market (Big L 2 to a lesser extent).

As far as monetising shows, maybe one way would be to produce syndicated shows for other stations, under the Caroline or Big L label?

One thing's for sure, it's a very difficult industry to make money in for the small broadcaster.

Yes- that certainly is true. When you think of the audience numbers years ago- compared to internet radio now. And certainly podcasts are not what your average Big L or Caroline listener are used to.

Do you ever envisage the day when Big L will become available on DAB+ ?

To be honest, I don't think DAB(+) is the way forward. Carriage costs way too high, unless you get some offers of carriage on the trial MUXs (like Caroline). Trouble is, coverage area is very limited and it's decent coverage area for the mobile listener you need. Many cars still don't have DAB. For the home/office listener, online gives you better quality. Mobile internet is still far from mainstream, but rapidly growing. FM would be great, AM would potentially give the best coverage for the mobile listener. Either way, over the air costs would need to be properly financed. Not an easy proposition. Then again, technology advances, situations and opportunities change all the time. You just never know.