More downloads & more shows: ABC podcasting keeps on growing

From an ABC media release issued this morning:

Just over 175,000 mp3s of ABC Radio National programs were downloaded in the week ending 26th February and this was the major cause for a record week for the ABC as a whole: the organisation surpassed 350,000 downloads for the first time.

ABC Radio National continues to extend the number of programs available to download as mp3s. So far in 2006, Radio National Breakfast with Fran Kelly, The Book Show with Ramona Koval, Saturday Extra with Geraldine Doogue, By Design with Alan Saunders, Counterpoint with Michael Duffy,The National Interest with Peter Mares, Rear Vision, Perspective and Radio Eye have been added, making a total of 26 different programs.

Over the next few months a further 12 programs will be made available.

Its looking more and more like podcasting is a natural extension for public broadcasting.

Comments

[Andrew Mitchell]

Absolutely right Trevor.

I probably accounted for 5 to 10 of those downloads. My 2Gb ipod nano has nothing but podcasts on it. I've gone through many, many different podcasts and, for me, quality counts. Public radio (not just the ABC but others such as the BBC and NPR) know have lifetimes of experience in how to make audio programs well (informative, engaging, entertaining, etc). Delivery of these as podcasts is a natural.

[Trevor Cook]

I listen to a range of public radio programs mainly ABC but also In our time from the BBC and some great books, music and food programs from KCRW. And not forgeting Raven n Blues from BFBS2 (British Forces Broadcasting Services) and Salty Dog from Port Douglas.