Podcasting vs. Radio – The Ultimate Guide

Both podcasts and radio are two of the most popular ways to consume audio content worldwide. There’s often a blurred line between these two types of media, as they seem very similar at first glance (or first listen).

As a content creator or marketer, it’s important to understand the differences between podcasts and radio shows. This can help ensure you’re creating content for the right type of platform or running ads on the appropriate channels for your audience. 

This in-depth guide will explain everything you need to know about podcasts vs. radio—including a brief history of both, key trends, and a side-by-side comparison of the differences.

History of Podcasting vs. Radio Compared Over The Years

Radio technology dates back to the 1890s. The first notable broadcast in the United States happened in 1906 when a Canadian physicist in Massachusetts was able to transmit his voice as far as Virginia.

By 1910, radio broadcasting for entertainment in the US was starting to make waves, and the first commercial radio station in America was born in 1920. Chevrolet began installing the first radios in cars in the 1920s. The next thirty years were considered the “golden age of radio.” 

Fast forward to today, and there are more than 15,445+ commercial radio stations in the United States alone. 

Podcasting is much newer than radio, and the first podcast occurred before the term was even coined. Initially called “audio blogging,” the first podcasts were recorded in the year 2000. This early concept was an “audio blog” that could be downloaded and a computer or portable MP3 player. 

Podcasts eventually evolved, becoming more sophisticated and using an RSS feed to ensure episodes didn’t need to be downloaded ahead of time. The use of RSS feeds transitioned podcasts to the definition that we understand today, which is a broadcast as opposed to a download. 

Based on this definition, the first official podcast didn’t launch until 2004. One year later, in June 2005, Apple added podcasting to the iTunes Music Store. 

This is a historical press release when you consider how far podcasting has come over the past 15+ years. 

Podcasting and Radio Trends

• 82.5% of adults in the US listen to the radio at least once per week.
• US radio broadcasters earn an estimated revenue of $20.73 billion annually.
• 41% of people in the US listen to podcasts once per month, and 28% listen to podcasts weekly. 
• 22% of people listen to podcasts while they’re commuting.
• Smartphones are the most popular medium for podcast streaming, at 79%.
• Apple Podcasts and Spotify dominate the podcast market share at 37.4% and 26.8%, respectively. 
• US adults listen to 104 minutes of radio per day, on average. 
• 89% of radio listening occurs through a traditional receiver, compared to 11% through streaming. 
• 77% of radio listeners would try a product or brand that’s been endorsed by their favorite radio personality. 

Here’s a closer look at the distribution of podcast listeners by age group over the past five years:

By comparison, we can see that the average age of people who consume the most radio content is older than podcast listeners and streamers.

What’s the Difference Between Podcasts and Radio?

On the surface, both podcasts and radio shows seem like they’re the same. But there are some key differences between these two audio distribution methods that we’ll cover in greater detail below.

Live vs. Pre-Recorded

Traditional radio broadcasts are live and cannot be edited after the broadcast. Podcasts are pre-recorded, and they can be easily edited after the session has been recorded. 

Radio shows can also be pre-recorded. For example, you might hear a repeat episode of a radio show if the host is sick or on vacation. But the vast majority of radio shows are broadcasted live. 

You might hear more slip-ups or mistakes during a live radio show. But the host just needs to move on. But podcasts can be edited or sliced up to ensure everything is polished. 

Schedule vs. On-Demand

Radio shows run on a set schedule. Hosts typically don’t have the flexibility to change this schedule, and they must follow the schedule set forth by the station. They can’t show the show late, as it would impact the entire lineup.

Here’s an example radio schedule of news and talk radio from NPR.

It’s precise, with no room for any adjustments. These set radio schedules also impact the listeners. 

Let’s say a show runs Monday to Friday from 9am to 12pm Eastern. If you get in your car at 10am, you’ve missed the first hour of the show. This is why you’ll hear lots of radio hosts frequently re-introduce themselves, re-introduce the topic of discussion, and say the name of the station after every commercial break. 

Conversely, you likely won’t hear the words “if you’re just joining us,” said during a podcast. 

Podcasters may ultimately decide to release episodes on a set schedule, such as once or twice per week. But that doesn’t mean they’re being recorded at that time. They might record eight episodes in one day and then release them throughout the month.

Podcast listeners have the benefit of listening to these pre-recorded episodes whenever they want. They can listen to the most recent episode as soon as it’s released or go back and listen to episodes from six months ago. 

The scheduling aspect basically becomes irrelevant for podcasts.

Audience

As previously mentioned, podcasting and radio each have unique audience demographics. But this difference goes beyond the generic and broad statistics.

Typically, radio stations try to ensure content appeals to the widest possible audience. They cover a broader range of topics to appease all ages and genders to increase the chances that those people stay tuned into the show.

But podcasts typically target niche audiences. These shows don’t need to try and keep channel surfers tuned in during a morning or evening commute. Instead, they can just market directly to their target listeners and focus specifically on those topics. 

Podcasts have the luxury of niche targeting because those listeners are actively seeking certain types of content. For example, a podcast about dogs doesn’t have to worry about appealing to cat owners. 

Here’s a look at the most popular podcast genres based on weekly listeners.

As you can see, no category dominates this space. There’s just a 9% difference in popularity between the most popular genre and the tenth most popular. 

That’s because listeners have the freedom to choose what they want to consume based on their niche interests. 

Evergreen vs. Ephemeral

Radio provides instant gratification. It must be highly relevant based on what’s happening at that exact moment. 

You can record radio shows and keep a copy. But there’s not usually a reason to go back and listen to those episodes, as the show may not be relevant a week or two later. Even some of the advertisements and interviews of a radio show can be outdated pretty quickly. 

But many podcasts are evergreen. Sure, hosts and guests might discuss something that happened recently, but it typically doesn’t define the show or prevent it from being relevant a year later. People aren’t listening to podcasts for breaking news stories or tomorrow’s weather forecast. 

Podcast episodes can stay online forever. So you should keep this in mind when you’re recording content. Understand that what you say today might not be consumed by a listener for another six months or longer. 

Technology and Regulations

Radio shows broadcast episodes through radio waves. Podcasts use digital audio files, hosting services, and RSS feeds to serve content to listeners. 

Furthermore, radio has stricter regulations by the government. The FCC prohibits offensive content broadcasted via radio. Hosts may also be restricted in what they can say based on what the station will allow.

Podcast hosts have much more freedom. As long as the podcast notifies listeners that the podcast may contain explicit content, they can typically speak their minds (within reason) without censorship. 

Final Thoughts

While podcasts and radio shows both serve audio content to listeners worldwide, there are actually lots of differences between these two mediums. 

It’s not to say that one is better than the other. But they both serve different purposes. 

For most people, starting a podcast is going to be easier than starting a radio show. Virtually anyone can start a podcast and start creating content. There are fewer barriers to entry compared to being hired by a radio station. You also won’t have to worry about sticking to a schedule or recording things live. Podcasting offers much more freedom and flexibility. 

Podcasts typically give you more options when it comes to advertisements and monetizing your show as well. Since podcasts are pre-recorded and on-demand, you’ll also have the ability to repurpose content episodes on other channels, like YouTube or your website.

I hope this guide clarified all of your questions on podcasting vs. radio. If I left something unanswered, feel free to drop a comment or reach out for more information.