POD PEOPLE

posted by James Reel

    According to a little blurb in the Boston Globe (which I found via ArtsJournal.com), National Public Radio’s central directory of podcast versions of its programs has station managers quaking in their tasseled loafers: “Local [public radio] stations worry that contributions from listeners will dry up if their programming is distributed through NPR's uber-guide, NPR Podcast Directory.”
    The managers fret that if NPR or individual producers put their programs online for you to download, free, whenever you want, you won't have any reason to tune in to the radio stations. And they’re right, if their stations are merely conduits for network and syndicated shows.
    Radio consultant Paul Marszalek, in an article for the public broadcasting trade magazine Current, has done a good job of beginning to sort through the many issues related to offering on-demand podcasts of broadcast programs. Rather than repeat his work, I urge you to read what he has to say. His most provocative idea: “Stations could drive membership and revenue by making podcasts available as a free benefit to members while requiring small on-demand payments or subscription fees from nonmembers.”
    He may be right, but my initial reaction is negative. Public broadcasting has always been dedicated to providing open access, to everyone, of high-quality programming. I’d think that access should remain open (meaning free) as new technologies evolve, including podcasting. Marszalek might point out that the programming will remain free on the broadcast stations; only the ultra-convenient podcast versions would be offered as premiums. It might not be too difficult to persuade me that this is a good idea.
    Ultimately, of course, the only thing that will keep local stations on the air is local programming, geared specifically to the local audience. That includes music programming selected especially for community tastes and lifestyles, and news and talk shows that focus on community issues.
    The KUAT and KUAZ stations are gradually getting into podcasting, although you have to go digging through our Web sites to figure that out. I’ll make it easy for you: Go here to find a year’s worth of KUAZ’s local public affairs program, Arizona Spotlight, hosted by Julie Bierach.