Podcasts: A new media genre and its key characteristics

Abstract

Over the past decade, podcasts – a relatively new media genre – have garnered significant and increasing attention in the public sphere. Although podcasts have been extensively covered in many online articles and their research has attracted growing scholarly interest, the understanding of what podcasts are varies to some extent. Different sources and authors define the phenomenon rather differently, each outlining different distinguishing characteristics of podcasts. Moreover, podcasting is often compared to radio broadcasting, with ongoing debates about whether it should be considered a new medium or an extension of radio. Employing genre analysis, this article aims to discuss the most characteristic aspects of podcasts, as well as their similarities and differences with radio shows, thereby offering general insights into this genre and its place within the broader media landscape. The article also includes a case study comparing a Lithuanian radio show with an independent podcast, discussing their most common characteristics, similarities, and differences.