FrequencyCast's take on podcasting
FrequencyCast is a regular UK technology podcast, specialising on digital TV and wireless gadgets. Now and then, we're contacted for information on our background, or for our thoughts on UK podcasting. This page is a summary of our thoughts and our background.
If you're after more information, or a comment for your publication or website, feel free to get in touch.
FrequencyCast Background
FrequencyCast started in April 2006, after one of the show's presenters, Pete, an avid podcast listener, was unable to find a podcast that catered for him. He found a small number of UK Tech and Gadget podcasts out there, but nothing that focused specifically on digital TV, Internet and wireless technology. More importantly, none of the podcasts our there made use of the time-honoured tricks of the radio trade... something that FrequencyCast set out to change.
FrequencyCast Presenters
The regular technology shows are presented by Carl and Pete, from studios near London.
Pete and Carl have worked on a number of radio stations in the UK, including one of the UK's regional radio stations, a London station and a number of local radio stations in the South East of the UK. Pete started his career in a production role for a local commercial radio station, and Carl started out in a live studio environment, later working in local radio. Between them, they have over 25 years of broadcast and production experience.
Pete and Carl have worked on audio projects together and agreed on the host/expert format as the most approachable format for delivery of information in a polished way. So was born FrequencyCast.
FrequencyCast's format
When the first show was planned, the team agreed to use their combined years of radio and production experience to structure a show in a way most likely to appeal to listeners.
When running a radio show, it's important to do a number of things - set up a menu at the start of the show, involve the listener, make good use of production, and have a little fun while entertaining. Each show is prepared using high production values, making good use of music and sound effects to keep the show lively.
Where possible, the show's product reviews are hands-on, complete with sound effects and real-time reaction - not just reading out product specs and press releases.
FrequencyCast and UK Podcasting
Many UK podcasts out there are "one man and a microphone" shows. There's nothing wrong with that approach, but FrequencyCast strives to be different. Each show aims to present UK technology news in a lively, informative and well-packaged show format.
To us, our audience is the most important asset - and each show is built on feedback from the show's listeners. "Focus", which looks at a new area of technology in each show, is led by votes from the audience, and "Interaction" offers help and advice to listeners that mail, call a dedicated answerphone (for inclusion in the next show), or comment via the site's blog.
Podcasting isn't just about broadcasting to the masses like FM radio... There's huge potential to serve the listener - you can host technical information and images on a supporting site (our Show Notes are an example), build your next show based on user suggestions, and involve listeners through calls and emails. Unlike live radio, there's time to research listeners questions, and work with show regulars to improve the quality of online and offline information.
The podcast format has a number of advantages for a show such as FrequencyCast - in some cases, FrequencyCast's Focus section contains a lot of detailed information - the ability to pause and rewind is a great help. Additionally each show is structured so that they can be used as a reference tool. For instance, in three of the earliest shows, the team discussed digital radio, wi-fi and Broadband. When discussing Internet radio in a more recent show, we were able to point the listener to download an earlier show if they wanted more on one of the other related topics.
The Future
As for the future - We're seeing our audience continuing to grow - the hard part is spreading the word. Podcasting is a fairly recent innovation, and it's hardly mainstream at this stage. On public transport in the UK, a high proportion of people are 'plugged in' to their MP3 player, but just listening to music. This is fine, until you want to hear something different. As more and more people realise that there are so many podcasts freely available, and that the technology to transfer them is now easier to use, hopefully more people will give podcasting a try, and find something that suits their tastes, hobbies and interests.
With the advent of podcasting and portable music players, traditional radio stations have an increasing amount of competition today, and with so much listener choice out there, stations playing scheduled music and ten minutes an hour of advertising... had better watch out! .
Listen online to FrequencyCast, the UK TV and Technology Podcast - www.frequencycast.co.uk - For your tantalising Take on Technology
Other links: One year of Podcasting ; FrequencyCast Enters Fourth Year ; Digital Switchover Podcast Launch
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