Podcast Popularity Growing
by Motte Brown on 09/05/2008 at 10:43 AM
Last week Pew Research Center released a study showing that podcast listenership is growing, though slowly.
Currently, 19% of all Internet users say they have downloaded a podcast so they could listen to it or view it later. This most recent percentage is up from 12% of Internet users who reported downloading podcasts in our August 2006 survey and 7% in our February-April 2006 survey.
Still, podcasting has yet to become a fixture in the everyday lives of Internet users, as very few Internet users download podcasts on a typical day. Even of those who say they download podcasts, just 17% do so on a typical day.
It's no surprise that young adults are leading the way in use of this new media. As of May 2008, 27% of young adults ages 18-29 have downloaded a podcast, up 17% from 2006. They also represent the largest demographic of MP3 player owners. 61% of 18-29 year-olds have an iPod or MP3 player.
It's why we launched The Boundless Show, which is one of 43,000 podcasts in existence today. The biggest genres are technology, comedy, religion and spirituality, and business. In case you're wondering, we're in the religion and spirituality genre. Although with host Lisa Anderson's quirky anecdotes, I believe we'd do just as well in comedy.
If you're a fan, let us hear from you. In not, tell us why. You can do so here or on our new toll-free phone number.
Call us now at 866-687-8686 to ask a question or leave a comment. Who knows? -- we might use it in our show.
1. joshMshep said the following at 6:08 PM on Sep 5:
Podcasting is absolutely the way of the way of the future. Really enjoy The Boundless Show!
Full list of podcasts I listen to at:
http://odeo.com/users/joshmshep
peace,
-josh
2. Jen said the following at 9:42 PM on Sep 5:
seriously?
i was so excited when Boundless started a podcast!
i also subscribe to a podcast that improves my knowledge and use of Spanish.
i should get on itunes and search other podcasts that would interest me.
my favorite time to listen to my boundless podcast? while i'm on the treadmill!
3. Josh Deng said the following at 1:38 AM on Sep 6:
I like the podcast because you guys talk about relevant stuff! It's great for 20-somethings to hear their semi-elders talk about things that they think about, and glean some wisdom and biblical backings to current topics. Keep up the good work!
4. Beau said the following at 11:47 AM on Sep 6:
I love this show! But when are we going to have a video podcast? (Even once a month would be cool).
It would be great to see y'all's faces during the discussions. (And let's face it, we all want to see Lisa's skull ring and boots.)
5. Lorraine said the following at 5:57 AM on Sep 7:
I cannot say it enough, the show is awesome! I love it! It is a great encouragement and has taught me so many things that I never even thought about. KEEP IT UP!
6. Anna said the following at 10:14 PM on Sep 7:
Being able to download the Boundless Show was the only reason I installed iTunes on my computer. I download it there, and then move the file to another media player to listen to when I have time.
I am a huge fan of the show, thank you all for your hard work!
7. Kelly said the following at 5:43 AM on Sep 8:
Not a fan, because 'listening media' has never worked for me.
My mind drifts if I'm listening to something (rather than watching a speaker). Plus there's the problem of having time to sit down and listen.
I never do it. Are there any Boundless readers out there who'd have the time/inclination to transcribe the Boundless show? Because I'd certainly love to read it!
8. Lisa A said the following at 1:05 PM on Sep 8:
Josh Deng (#3):
Um, I'm gonna need you to never refer to me and the word "elder" (even "semi-elder") in the same sentence ever again. I will be eating a pint of Ben & Jerry's tonight to recover from that. :-)
9. Six said the following at 4:47 PM on Sep 8:
I'll risk being contentious here, but STOP HOLDING HANDS DURING THE ROUND TABLES. Seriously.
For your round table discussions, I picture group hugs before the recording, hand holding in a circle around the mic during the recording, followed by another healthy round of group hugs at the end of the session...
Is there noone willing to stir things up and raise opposing viewpoints? I guess it is good that the group gets along, but having everyone (including guests) toe the party line can be a mite bit dry at times... Lisa sounds like she has a contentious streak in her, but her fire seems to have gone out of late. I guess fence slat stealers will do that to you...
Overall, the topics and production quality are good (the music is often excellent). More zip in the interchanges would be great.
10. Beth said the following at 8:12 PM on Sep 8:
I love the podcast! I have a rather mind dulling data entry job and the only way I survive the day is podcasts. I have grown so much spiritually with lots of teaching from preachers all around the country. The Boundless Show is such an encouragement and helps me to know I am not alone trying to be a Christian single in the world, but not of the world.
11. Elisabeth said the following at 8:17 PM on Sep 8:
There is a problem with the Boundless podcast - there is only one a week!!! I would love to hear even a 30 minute podcast daily!
12. Casey (the student nurse) said the following at 10:40 PM on Sep 8:
The show is a great way to spend a 35 minute drive to school (and a 15 minute wait in the parking lot for the show to end).
But i'd listen to it even if i didnt have the drive.
I truly appreciate your ministry, its an essential tool in helping to develop the relational mind of the Single Christian Male (and female too!).
13. Marc said the following at 11:38 PM on Sep 8:
I love your guys' podcasts. You were even kind enough to answer a question I sent you via the Boundless Inbox on one of the episodes (though I won't divulge which one).
My only request is that you keep the articles coming. For, as awesome as the podcasts are, our generation (and America as a whole) already listens to and/or watches a lot of the information it digests, yet the written word slowly but surely seems to be left in the dust of "new and improved" technology. So keep it coming with the podcasts, but keep it coming with the articles as well.
14. BDB said the following at 12:09 AM on Sep 9:
For multi-taskers who have trouble sitting and listening to a podcast, I find that the Boundless Show goes very wel with folding laundry or tidying up the kitchen.
15. Becky said the following at 10:51 AM on Sep 9:
I love this podcast! I've been guilty of subscribing to podcasts and then never listening,but I must say that Boundless is the only one that I've kept my subscription on and stayed current.
I think I need a T-shirt that says Lisa A is my Homegirl. I relate to so many of her stories!
Just a quick "I wish" moment - I would love to see more advice for the single parent. (More than "just focus on your child...")
Thank you all for your hard work and dedication to this podcast!
16. Jeremy said the following at 11:00 AM on Sep 9:
I love the Boundless podcast. I have 10 podcasts in iTunes, though only 3 are daily, and another 2 are weekly. It's great to be able to listen to them in my car on the way to home or work.
I just with the Focus on the Family podcast hadn't gone away this week. :( Did they change servers? Oneplace.com doesn't host them any more. Please don't go away, too, Bounless!
17. Marc said the following at 1:52 PM on Sep 9:
Six (# 9) wrote:
"I'll risk being contentious here, but STOP HOLDING HANDS DURING THE ROUND TABLES. Seriously."
Though I know where you're coming from, I strongly disagree. There is enough division amongst Christians (read blog comments on this site for proof) that I really think it wouldn't kill us to actually have a group of people (in this case, The Boundless Show team) who actually agree on things rather than waste podcast minutes shouting and being at each-other's throats.
Also, if you listen, there are some episodes where they do disagree. They just disagree respectfully. I guess we're just so used to living in a world where one wins by way of how much he/she can "dish out" that when people actually agree on the majority of issues, we don't know what to do with that type of situation anymore.
Once again, I see where you're coming from. I just happen to respectfully disagree.
18. Heather Knobloch said the following at 12:11 PM on Sep 11:
I subscribe to the podcast and LOVE IT! I do have to be careful where I listen to it though, as I often find myself laughing out loud and get a few stares! Apparently most people don't burst into spontaneous laughter while running on a treadmill- who knew?!?!