Podcasts vs Live Radio: Differences, Pros & Cons - Essay Sample

Introduction

The podcast and live radio broadcast are essential mass media platforms that enable people to share and receive information. In this case, both platforms serve as information exchange media to the respective audience with the aim of enlightening and transforming the social system. Before selecting which medium platform to use based on efficiency and effectiveness, it is essential to consider their respective differences, Pros and cons, program accessibility, and target audience. The purpose of this essay is to compare and contrast live radio and podcasts.

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Differences

Regardless of both radio and podcast serving the same purpose, they differ in various ways. First, there exists a significant difference in terms of mass appeal and niche. Live radio aims at appealing to a mass listener by the creation of a vast bundle of information and content by focusing on a wide range of discussion topics and put new interesting topics every time to increase their chances of remaining tuned. The podcast appeals to a specific niche of viewers as a result of focusing on individual-based issues (Berry,7-22). The podcast's audiences are more likely to stumble since they remain actively searching for information online the podcast covering at a particular period. Based on frequency coverage, radio serves a small geographical area. But podcast covers broad geographic areas as long as internet access is available.

The second significant difference between a podcast and live radio broadcast is based on the level of regulation. Radio plays lots of music compare regardless of the existence of lengthy legal procedure the radio station has to follow. The radio requires obtaining a license to play the music, and the audience has the opportunity to select songs to be included on the playlist (Postlethwait, n.p). On the other hand, it is possible to play music on the podcast because of issues related to music copyrights. It implies that the audience has no opportunity to select or play music via a podcast media platform.

Similarity

The podcast and live radio shows share standard features based on nature and type of broadcast. Both mediums are audio shows of which information shared verbally without. The programs are arranged systematically by focusing on a particular topic or theme. The presenters initiate the problem and discus to entertain their respective audiences. With an increase in technology, listeners and subscribers can listen. Both podcasts and radio audience can access services online and use of different types of digital handsets.

Pros and Cons

Content presented via live radio platform cannot be edited after the broadcast, and the content may be outdated within a short period after the show. On the other hand, the podcast's content is pre-recorded, making it edit by deleting or updating a particular area to adjust to meet arising needs. It implies that it is possible to rectify common mistakes when using a podcast.

Live radio is instant and short-lived compared to the podcast medium. The time radio show goes on, the broadcast starts, but immediately the show ends, nothing to catch up later unless someone records you record to establish your copy. Besides, it possible to record content that is not necessary, such as regular advertisement within the break.

Accessibility and Users

Accessing radio services is much easier compared to podcast services. Radio users access the service via internet website, radio set, and both analog and digital mobile handset. On the other hand, podcast services are only accessed via an internet website and digital mobile handset after subscription.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the radio medium is more popular compared to the podcast medium as a result of easy accessibility and adaptability to both analog and digital media. Also, its ability to cover a wide range of audience and broadcasting the current issues within its geographical enable it to become more popular and most preferable.

Works Cited

Berry, Richard. "Podcasting: Considering the evolution of the medium and its association with the word 'radio.'" Radio Journal: International Studies in Broadcast & Audio Media 14.1 (2016): 7-22. Retrieved from https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/intellect/rj/2016/00000014/00000001/art00002

Postlethwait, Ben C. The New Radio: How Public Radio Became Journalistic Podcasting. Diss. Ohio University, 2016. Retrieved from http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1462981143