Listening habits

Here’s a thought. Matthew Bannister, former Radio 1 controller turned presenter of programmes such as Outlook on the World Service and Radio 4’s The Last Word, has just announced that he’s leaving Outlook, which goes out several times a week, to ‘join the world of podcasting’. In fact, he’s already launched his own podcast, Folk on Foot. It’s as if he now believes that podcasting is where the exciting new challenges in audio (note, not broadcasting) can be found. We wireless-lovers should pay attention. Bannister is a radio man through and through. Does he really believe that podcasting is the future?

We’re still waiting for the podcast that truly challenges the best of conventional radio. (Serial took over the world but though well-made did not keep my attention till the end.) Podcasts have to be extra sharp, clever, pertinent, magical or inspiring if they want us to sign up and return for more episodes.