Podcasting Does Not Begin and End With PodShow
Little bit of a temper coming out of me this morning, mainly due to this article over at the San Francisco Bay Guardian, which discusses the nascent podcasting scene. After reading this, you’d think the only player in the podcasting market is the Curry / Bloom venture, PodShow.
Now I know that a journalist is going to take the easiest route possible to a story. And I also know that PodShow needs to get a stupid amount of coverage to get listeners to get money so they can return the VC money they gained with a healthy return. Which means that this article must be well recieved in the SF offices. But for the journalist? Even a cursory look round the ‘scene would turn up a number of shows and organisations that are succeeding outside the PodShow stable of shows that were mentioned. How about Brian Ibbot and Coverville in the area. He’s turning a profit, has licenced music, and has a huge listenership. How about AMP, The Association Of Music Podcasters and their library of Podsafe Music? Heck how about www.podsafeaudio.com if you want to go down the podsafe music route? Or the world’s first commercial podcast network?
To anyone writing a podcast article, please use Google and look a bit beyond the person shouting the loudest. There’s every chance the quiet one in the corner is actually a bigger story (thinks.. Michael Geoghegan, perhaps).
Excuse me while I throw my toys out the pram. Normal service may resume shortly…
Throw away my Scottish friend! I personally hate how they are trying to (by stealth) change the name “Podcast” to “Podshow”. Interestingly, have a look at http://www.podshowalley.com and see where thats pointed.
Don’t be suprised to see Mr Curry abanden the Podcast name!
Molly
Getting funded by two of San Fran’s biggest VC firms doesn’t hurt either. You think Sequoia and KP don’t hold some sway with the Guardian? If I were them, I’d be using my influence to make sure ALL the press EVER talk about is the company I’ve invested in.
Still – it makes little difference. It’s a big world and there is plenty of room. Podshow can’t possible own EVERYTHING. Even Microsoft tried and failed that game. And Curry is not Gates. :-)
Molly,
Given that Podshow have purchased Podcast Alley then that’s a sensible business move, and while I;ve not thought as deviously as yourself in the name substitution, you’d certainly hope that a connection like that would be made in everyone’s mind if you are Podshow.
Cameron,
Oh I’m not saying it’s a bad thing for Podshow, I think that for them on their own it’s fantastic. What annoys me is the sloppy coverage from the journalism in an article thats allegedly about podcasting in the Bay Area. It misses out a huge number of other podcasters in the area, and even focuses on a Wisconsin couple (the eponymous Dawn and Drew) to the detriment of other local talent.
In the long term it doesn’t make a huge difference, if the playing field is level, but we’ve all seen how useful having the US media on ‘your side’ is.