From Radio Shows to Podcasts

You may have heard it said that history repeats itself, but have you ever thought that could ring true with technology?

Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

Today, we see radio shows coming back in the form of podcasts. Podcasts have even been called the reinvention of radio. In the early 1990s, the radio started to make its way into the homes and lives of many North Americans. By 1940, nearly 82 percent of US households owned a radio. What started as a new way of communication, morphed into a multifaceted system for news broadcasts, sports, music, and radio shows. 

We know now, that the radio was quickly replaced by the television. NBC, CBS, and ABC, commonly known as “The Big Three” broadcasting systems, all began on the radio. They started to produce their radio shows for television in the 1950s. Even though TV was becoming popular, companies continued to air radio shows through the 50s. It wasn’t until the early 60s that NBC, CBS, and ABC stopped programming scripted shows for the radio. 

I have never experienced a time where radio was bigger than television. However, still to this day, my grandparents listen to the radio frequently. When my grandma is getting ready in the morning, she is listening to the news on her portable radio plugged in on the ground next to her sink. My grandpa is constantly listening to NPR (national public radio) on his phone. It might not be an actual radio, but he’s still listening to the radio. Unfortunately for those around him, he hasn’t figured out how to use headphones.

Nonetheless, there are several differences between the two mediums. For starters, podcasts are catered to specific wants and needs. You can find a podcast about anything–cooking, cats, your favorite tv show, a specific sports team–but you can’t always find a radio show about that. Radio shows are also scheduled and live, while podcasts are prerecorded, so podcasts come out polished, but you can depend on the radio show being out at its programmed time. With podcasts, you can always start from the beginning of an episode, whereas with the radio, you need to tune in at the right time. Both platforms have many pros.

When I discussed this topic with other young adults, they all agreed that they remember listening to the radio when they were young kids. Several of them stated that now they only listen to music on streaming platforms such as Spotify or Apple Music. Only a couple of people said they listen to the radio in their cars, and even then, they only listen to the Top 40. 

While TV seemed like it would eradicate the radio, it hasn’t. Nowadays, it looks like audio mediums are coming back around. People like them because they are accessible, portable, and free. You do not have to pay hundreds of dollars a month to listen to a podcast like you do to watch TV shows.

We are starting to see other pieces of technology come back into style as well. For awhile, platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime have been releasing full seasons for people to binge-watch. Viewers can watch as much of a show as they possibly can. Now, some of the newer streaming platforms like Apple TV and Disney+, are releasing episodes weekly. We are no longer used to waiting for shows. It almost makes the show more exciting. We have even seen a rise in vinyl records the past several years. We like our instant gratification, but there’s something special about having to wait and holding something in your hand.

Even when it comes to technology, history repeats itself, just not in the way we expect.