History of Podcasts

Podcasting is Born

2004

Adam Curry (former MTV video jockey) and Dave Winer (software developer) are credited with inventing the medium. Reference: https://computer.howstuffworks.com/internet/basics/podcasting1.htm

The term "podcasting" is first used.

2004

Writing for The Guardian, journalist Ben Hammersley suggested the term "podcasting" for the emerging technology. Reference: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2004/feb/12/broadcasting.digitalmedia Image Source: https://www.adnews.com.au/news/the-guardian-to-launch-weekly-news-magazine-in-australia

Apple Supports Podcasts

2005

Apple iTunes 4.9 is released, fully supportive of podcasts. Users could subscribe to podcasts, and then load the content onto their iPod. Reference: https://www.macworld.com/article/3345577/apple-dominates-the-podcast-market-but-for-how-long.html Image Source: https://www.macworld.com/article/3345577/apple-dominates-the-podcast-market-but-for-how-long.html

First Presidential Podcast

2005

George Bush becomes first President to deliver his weekly address in the form of a podcast. Reference: https://macdailynews.com/2005/08/11/president_bushs_radio_address_podcasts_available_via_apples_itunes/ Image Source: https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2001/09/images/20010915.html

Steve Jobs Demonstrates How to Record a Podcast.

2006

Steve Jobs demonstrates how to record a podcast using Garageband during a keynote speech. Reference: https://www.engadget.com/2006/01/10/steve-jobs-keynote-live-from-macworld-2006/ Image Source: https://www.engadget.com/2006/01/10/steve-jobs-keynote-live-from-macworld-2006/

Adam Carolla Show Breaks Podcast Download Record

2011

The Adam Carolla Show (which begin as a regular weekday podcast in March 2009) reaches 59.6 million unique downloads. This broke Ricky Gervais' previous 2007 world record. Reference: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/programmes/click_online/9545533.stm Image Source: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/news/alison-rosen-address-shocking-adam-carolla-show-firing-004003311.html

Apple announces 1 billion podcast subscribers.

2013

Apple announces 1 billion podcast subscribers. Reference: https://www.macworld.com/article/2044958/apple-one-billion-itunes-podcast-subscriptions-and-counting.html Discussion from 2013 of what this milestone means for the podcasting industry: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=85&v=hEfaruyrPfw&feature=emb_title Image Source: https://theaudacitytopodcast.com/what-1-billion-subscriptions-means-for-podcasting-tap137/

Personal Audio Loses Its Appeal for Podcasting Patent.

2017

Court rules against Personal Audio, declaring they did not invent the podcast medium of podcasting and could therefore not claim royalties. Reference: https://techcrunch.com/2017/08/07/personal-audio-loses-its-appeal-for-podcasting-patent/ Image Source: https://techcrunch.com/2017/08/07/personal-audio-loses-its-appeal-for-podcasting-patent/

Serial Becomes Most Downloaded Podcast of All Time.

2018

As of December 2018, Serial is the most downloaded podcast of all time, with 420 million total downloads. Reference: https://www.vulture.com/2018/12/serial-season-3-50-milllion-downloads.html Image Source: https://www.vulture.com/2018/12/serial-season-3-50-milllion-downloads.html

Number of Podcast Listeners Projected to Grow to 1.8 Billion by 2023.

2019

Reference: https://www.theguardian.com/media/2019/mar/30/podcastings-netflix-moment-the-global-battle-for-domination Image Source: https://www.statista.com/chart/10713/podcast-listeners-in-the-united-states/