| Is online talk radio replacing the | | | | pioneers of this latest media that has a |
| conventional AM and FM radio? Partly maybe | | | | global reach. Another advantage of Internet |
| but not totally. It's true that some new and | | | | radio is that hosts as well as their guests |
| existing talk show programs are moving to the | | | | can expound on issues being discussed with no |
| Internet at a fast rate to reach a wider | | | | time constraints unlike in the traditional |
| audience. And the good news -- online talk | | | | radio which allows guests to say their piece |
| radio is growing and its future looks bright. | | | | for only a few minutes. |
| | | | |
| A new Arbitron study reveals that | | | | Podcasting is also a new trend in online talk |
| approximately 37 million Americans have | | | | radio. It's actually subscribing to audio |
| listened to Internet radio just recently and | | | | content that automatically downloads to your |
| about 20 million of them are listening to | | | | personal computer. Currently, podcasts cover |
| their favorite radio programs online. | | | | radio programs and archived lectures or shows |
| GlobalTalkRadio.com, the largest online talk | | | | which allow listeners to catch up with what |
| radio today, confirms the growing trend in | | | | they have missed. Podcasting is gaining |
| Internet radio. The station's founder and CEO | | | | popularity and its growth in the near future |
| Kevin Dawson said GlobalTalkRadio had a 168 | | | | is very likely. More people are expected to |
| percent growth in traffic in 2006 and the | | | | discover this because it's free and easy to |
| trend is increasing based on their initial | | | | use. |
| statistics for 2007. He expressed enthusiasm | | | | |
| about this development saying "we really may | | | | Many organizations have actually explored |
| be starting a new age of broadcasting unlike | | | | this medium streaming audio and even video of |
| anything seen since radio inventor Guglielmo | | | | their events. They have made their company |
| Marconi made his first radio signal in 1895. | | | | events available on podcast enabling their |
| | | | staff, who missed those events, to still get |
| GlobalTalkRadio has made it its mission to | | | | first-hand information on what took place. |
| contribute to the development of radio and | | | | Some publications, on the other hand, have |
| broadcasting. The station believes that | | | | added podcasts as a supplement to their |
| online radio has many benefits. For one | | | | written content online. An example of their |
| thing, listeners will be able to hear their | | | | podcasts would be interviews in connection |
| programs on-demand every day of every week. | | | | with the articles published on their site. |
| Guests who are lucky to be invited on | | | | |
| established programs will also be able to | | | | Podcastblaster is a site specializing in all |
| reach a target audience who are likely to | | | | aspect of podcasting and provides an |
| listen to them. Meanwhile, for people who | | | | extensive podcast directory covering many |
| want to host their own programs, they will be | | | | topics including talk radio podcasts. |