What is a podcast?

A podcast is a series of audio episodes distributed via an RSS feed, which anyone can listen to via streaming or download at any time.

Podcasts have become one of the world’s most popular media formats, but what exactly is a podcast?

Basically, a podcast is a series of on-demand digital audio files that listeners can stream or download. These files generally revolve around a specific theme and are published regularly in the form of new episodes. You can listen to them on the move, while commuting or cooking, which is what makes the podcast format so powerful.

With the rise of YouTube videos posing as podcasts and TV creators branching out into long-form content, the definition of a podcast can become blurred. In this step-by-step guide, we explain what a podcast is, how it works and what you need to know to launch your own Streambox show.

What makes a podcast a podcast?

Here’s what you’ll usually find in a classic podcast:

• A coherent theme or topic
• An RSS feed with episodes published on a regular schedule
• An animator or duo of animators
• Hosted by a professional podcast service (at Streambox, we’ve been creating and hosting custom podcasts for years)
• Available on the main podcast directories or via a dedicated website
• Bonus content such as program notes or cover art

“Well, why not find an MP3 file linked to an RSS feed, download it… and podcasting is born.”

– Adam Curry, co-founder of podcasting, on Buzzcast

Podcasts are first and foremost audio, designed for listening.

A podcast isn’t just a video with microphones: it’s an audio experience in its own right, available for streaming or download via a podcast app. Unlike radio, which is broadcast at a specific time, podcasts are on-demand and accessible whenever you want.

This flexibility is one of the main reasons why podcasting has become so popular. You don’t have to be on the clock or in front of a screen. Whether you use a computer, tablet or smartphone, your podcast goes with you wherever you go.

Podcasts usually cover a theme or niche, with a host or producer guiding the conversation. You’ll often hear a familiar intro, followed by interviews, stories or commentary. These audio recordings are distributed via a professional hosting service and shared on platforms such as Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Some productions sound like real, polished audio documentaries, others are more straightforward and conversational, among friends or experts. It’s this diversity that makes podcasting so fascinating and fun to explore.

How to listen to a podcast

Listening to a podcast is easy: open your favorite app (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast…), browse the categories or search for a type of podcast that interests you. You can subscribe, download episodes for offline listening or listen at your own pace.

Are YouTube videos podcasts?

You may have seen YouTube videos labeled as podcasts. While some formats overlap, not all long-form videos are podcasts. A real podcast has an RSS feed containing all episodes and is distributed on podcast directories. If a show only exists on YouTube and doesn’t offer an audio version, it’s not technically a podcast.

Some video podcasts do both: they publish the audio on podcast apps and the video online. But the majority of popular podcasts today are audio-only, and this is deliberate: it allows you to concentrate on the listening experience without the pressure of demanding visual rendering.

“[Steve Jobs] wanted me to validate podcasting on iTunes… I said, ‘Yes, absolutely. I’ll even give you the directory to get started.’ That day, he announced podcasting on iTunes.”

– Adam Curry, co-founder of podcasting, on Buzzcast

Conclusion

Podcasts are incredibly flexible. There are true-crime shows, historical series, non-fiction explanatory podcasts, interviews with creatives, and even real audio dramas. Some are produced by networks or teams, others by a single person in his or her home studio.

That’s the beauty of the format: you don’t need to be a pro to get started.

At Streamboxwe can help you get your podcast off the ground. Check out our How to launch a podcast guide and our YouTube channel to discover all our resources. We can’t wait to see what you come up with!