Episodic audio distributed over the internet for listening on demand, named in 2004 from the iPod and broadcasting. Podcasting rebuilt radio's forms, the talk show, the documentary, the serial drama, on a medium with no schedule and no spectrum limit, open to any producer with a microphone.
Facts
Origin Year2004 marks Ben Hammersley coining the word podcasting; the underlying RSS-enclosure technology it named had been worked out by others slightly earlier. OriginThe term podcasting was coined by journalist Ben Hammersley, writing in The Guardian, in February 2004. 1 Place of Origin Primary FormatThe preparation and distribution of audio or video files using RSS feeds to the devices of subscribed users. 1 Typical DistributionDistributed by hosting companies to podcast directories and streaming services such as Apple, Spotify and YouTube, for listening or watching on smartphones, digital media players or smart televisions. 1 Primary Format Distribution Mode Still Active Podcasting
Filter Results1 entry
FAQs
Who invented podcasting?
Dave Winer built the RSS enclosure mechanism (2000); Ben Hammersley coined the word (2004); Adam Curry popularized the medium (2004 to 2005). No single person invented podcasting alone.
Credit for podcasting is genuinely split three ways. Software developer Dave Winer, an author of the RSS format, implemented the RSS enclosure mechanism in 2000, the technical feature that let software automatically download new audio episodes, making podcasting possible. Guardian and BBC journalist Ben Hammersley coined the word "podcasting" itself in a February 2004 article. Media personality Adam Curry, nicknamed "the Podfather," popularized and commercialized the format through the Daily Source Code podcast (2004) and PodShow (2005), which is real and lasting work but distinct from inventing the underlying technology or the name.
Connections
Associated With
Source Adam Carolla (Wikipedia)
Source Wikipedia
Additional Source Adam Curry (Wikipedia)
Source Ali Nejad (Wikipedia)
Source Wikipedia
Additional Source Apple Podcasts (Wikipedia)
Source Brent Hanks (Wikipedia)
Source Wikipedia
Additional Source Dave Winer (Wikipedia)
Source Ezra Klein (Wikipedia)
Source Karl Pilkington (Wikipedia)
Source Wikipedia
Additional Source Podcast (Wikipedia)Podcast, History
Source Richard Moore (journalist) (Wikipedia)
Source Ricki Lake (Wikipedia)
Source Wikipedia
Additional Source Podcast (Wikipedia)History of the World Wide Web, CERN and the public domain release
Media Entries
National Public Radio distributes and produces podcasts alongside its radio network. Uncited, general knowledge.
Source Wikipedia
Additional Source Podcast (Wikipedia)
Source Wikipedia
Additional Source Serial (podcast) (Wikipedia)
The Guardian produces podcasts alongside its newspaper.
The New York Times produces podcasts such as The Daily alongside its newspaper.
Sources
1. Wikipedia
Wikimedia FoundationThe Guardian, infoboxQuote, The Guardian, infobox
Headquarters Kings Place, London.
2. Podcast (Wikipedia)
Lead
made available in digital format for download over the Internet
Lead, still active
In 2025, Bloomberg reported that a billion people were watching podcasts on video platform YouTube every month.
Podcast, Etymology section
Podcasting is the preparation and distribution of audio or video files using RSS feeds to the devices of subscribed users.
Podcast, lead section
Hosting companies then distribute these media files to podcast directories and streaming services, such as Apple, Spotify, and YouTube, which users can listen to and watch on their smartphones or digital music and multimedia players or smart televisions.
Article text
Curry promoted new and emerging internet audio shows in an attempt to gain traction in the development of what would come to be known as podcasting.
- Associated With: Origins of Podcasting Technology, Podcast, History
- Associated With: World Wide Web Enters the Public Domain, History of the World Wide Web, CERN and the public domain release
- Media Entries: RSS Enclosure
View the SourceEncyclopedia Britannica
Ali Nejad (Wikipedia)
Associated With: Ali Nejad, Lead, third paragraphQuote, Associated With: Ali Nejad, Lead, third paragraph
former co-host of the Poker Road Radio podcast
Ezra Klein (Wikipedia)
Associated With: Ezra Klein, LeadQuote, Associated With: Ezra Klein, Lead
is the host of The Ezra Klein Show podcast
Richard Moore (journalist) (Wikipedia)
Associated With: Richard Moore (journalist), Wikipedia article textQuote, Associated With: Richard Moore (journalist), Wikipedia article text
In 2013, Moore launched The Cycling Podcast
Adam Carolla (Wikipedia)
Associated With: Adam Carolla, Lead paragraphQuote, Associated With: Adam Carolla, Lead paragraph
He hosts The Adam Carolla Show, a talk show distributed as a podcast.
Ricki Lake (Wikipedia)
Associated With: Ricki Lake, Career, 2011-present [associated-with]Quote, Associated With: Ricki Lake, Career, 2011-present [associated-with]
In 2022, Lake launched a podcast, Raised by Ricki, in collaboration with Lemonada Media.
Karl Pilkington (Wikipedia)
Associated With: Karl Pilkington, Career, 2005-2019Quote, Associated With: Karl Pilkington, Career, 2005-2019
Pilkington's presence on The Ricky Gervais Show podcasts significantly increased his fame.
Brent Hanks (Wikipedia)
Associated With: Brent Hanks, LeadQuote, Associated With: Brent Hanks, Lead
co-host with Jeff Platt of the No Gamble, No Future video podcast on PokerGO
Dave Winer (Wikipedia)
Serial (podcast) (Wikipedia)
Adam Curry (Wikipedia)
Apple Podcasts (Wikipedia)
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