Back for a second year, the shortlist for the 2023 Irish Podcast Awards has been released.
This year’s ceremony recognising the best of podcasting on the Irish landscape will take place at House Dublin on 21 November. Among the big hitters this year are The Blindboy Podcast, Talking Derry Girls, My Therapist Ghosted Me and more.
The open category, the Listeners Choice Award, also returns with Talking Bollox likely among the favourites having scooped the gold at last year’s event. Voting closed in this category in mid-October, the top 5 looking like this.
Supported by Global and Acast, PodPod will play hosts for Haymarket Media Group which acquired the Irish Podcast Awards in 2022 alongside the British Podcast Awards. Submissions opened in the spring of this year, running up to 11 July. The cost per entry ranged from €45-€175 for the initial entry, depending on turnover, with €100 per additional entry afterwards. Judging this year took place over the first two weeks of August.
This year’s judging panel included RTÉ’s Amanda Fennelly, Brian Young (Head of Digital Product, News Broadcasting), Oli Walters (Head of Podcast Sales International, Global), Denzil Lacey (SiruisXM), Jennifer Dollard (Acast), Patric Haughey (AudioBrand) and Sharon Casey Ledwidge (OMD Ireland). Best Network/Publisher will be a two-horse race this year between GoLoud and Headstuff though the likes of the BBC, Newstalk, RTÉ, BEAT and The Irish Sun as media outlets are also represented in different categories.
The night is an all-ticket affair and if you’re planning on attending, tickets will cost you €125-€255 plus VAT, depending on your company/individual turnover.
Four other awards will be announced on the night as well as part of the Editors’ Choice Awards including the overall Podcast Champion, Specialist Award, Spotlight Award and The Listeners’ Choice.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or starting out on your podcast journey – this can apply equally to radio too – you’ve got to consider having a running order. In fact, I’d say it’s a must regardless of the medium you choose to convey your message.
I’ve produced countless shows, podcasts and events over the years and one of the big standouts is that the ones that find more success on the grounds and with listeners are those with a running order. Whether it’s a one-hour production or a four-hour marathon, how anyone can approach a podcast or radio show without a running order amazes me.
Fail to plan, prepare to fail and all that.
So, why should you use a running order for your podcast or show? Here are six reasons that might sway you, with some added pros and cons below because you can’t win everybody over…
1. Structured flow
Structure is key. It breeds consistency, making the content you’re producing more digestible and enjoyable for your audience.
From past experience, even for a drivetime music show, a running order provided me with certain markers from time checks to show features, music, breaks, interviews and the rest. You planned from marker to marker and kept going. The running order also allows for seamless transitions between segments and helps contribute to a more polished, professional sound.
2. Time management
Using a running order means you can allocate time to each segment on your show or podcast effectively, making for more efficient use of your time and preventing any section from dragging on far too long. Much like gigs, standup comedy or theatre, people rarely give out about segments being too short but constantly over-running or dragging the tail end out of a feature can be a real turn-off.
For live radio shows, you might find a PD or programmer who is rigid about clock structure – a running order will help you fit within the allotted time slots you have and adhere to any clock constraints.
3. Clear communication
While the first two reasons are borne out of self-produced or single-producer podcasts or shows, when you’ve got multiple people involved in the production – say three or four contributors to a speech podcast and a researcher or showrunner – you’ll find that a running order serves as a great communication tool to keep everyone on the same page. Where guests are privy to the layout of the show, it will also help them understand the flow and prepare accordingly. Got others working on social media aspects of your podcast? This will be the roadmap for their creative work in post-production (see reason six).
4. Content prioritisation
You can use a running order to highlight your most important content, ensuring that key messages aren’t lost, or overshadowed. It also means you can distribute different types of content throughout your podcast, thus balancing your delivery.
5. Contingency planning
If something’s going to go wrong, it will. If you happen to run into technical glitches or other unforeseen issues in a live or pre-recorded setting, having a running order means you can make quick adjustments on the fly by shifting spots up or down. It also allows you to plan some alternative or backup content to use if needed. Trust me, one day, you’re going to need it.
6. Post-Production efficiency
For podcasts, a running order can serve as a roadmap during the editing process, making post-production smoother and more efficient.
Maybe your radio show is pre recorded? Hand off your links and running order to a producer and they will have no problem slotting in your beds, stings, sweeps, links, and tying together all of your content.
A podcast running order. Photo: Cottonbro Studio / Pexels
The pros and cons of running orders
This is where I should be arguing the case for running orders, but there’s got to be some balance as they’re not everyone’s cup of tea. That doesn’t mean you can’t strike a balance by putting together a running order but allowing yourself some breathing room.
On the pro side, let’s take three key points. A running order is going to enhance the professionalism of your podcast or show in creating a polished, well-structured and cohesive layout that appeals to listeners.
Also on the pro side you’ll find that by having a clear plan in place, regardless of running times, your production process becomes more efficient, aiding in the effective allocation of time (and preparation) to each of your planned segments, making for smoother transitions and timely execution. Yes, there’s still a human factor to consider, but it’s still a pro nonetheless.
Lastly, where teams are involved or you’ve got multiple hosts or guests, a running order is one of the most valuable tools you can have in your arsenal to tackle coordination. It means everyone should be able to understand the flow, manage expectations and reduce any confusion or uncertainty during the recording process.
Again, while I’m all for running orders no matter how big or small the recording, I’ve been in rooms where they’re not welcome, and here are some of the reasons why.
To start with, a running order can sometimes – not always – lead to a rigid format, potentially stifling spontaneity and organic conversations that might appeal to some audiences.
If you’re short on time to begin with, they can be a time sink. Why? Well, you’ve got to out thought and time into preparing your segments, intros, questions for guests, facts and figures, time that some may prefer to simply spend recording.
Let’s sum it up…
Running order pros
Professionalism: A running order enhances the professionalism of the show. It helps in creating a polished, well-structured, and cohesive program that appeals to listeners.
Efficient production: With a clear plan in place, your production process becomes more efficient. Now you’re allocating time to each segment effectively, making for smooth transitions and timely execution.
Team coordination: For shows with multiple hosts or guests, a running order is invaluable for coordination. It ensures everyone understands the flow and expectations, leading to smoother interactions while helping to confusion during recording.
Running order cons
Rigidity: This is where creative presenters and strict producers can clash. A running order can sometimes lead to a rigid format, potentially stifling spontaneity and organic conversations that might appeal to some audiences (and presenters, no offence).
Preparation time: Developing a detailed running order requires time and effort upfront, especially if your show or podcast series varies in style from episode to episode. This preparation might be seen as cumbersome, especially for small teams or individual creators.
Creative constraints: While I see structure as beneficial, it might also limit creative impulses during recording, much like point number one. Presenters might feel constrained by the predetermined format and mat not explore interesting tangents or follow the conversation naturally. The latter is a skill but that’s a conversation for another day.
Microphone in a studio setting. Photo: Gigxels / Pexels
Sample running orders
All that said, let’s take a look at some sample running orders. These podcasts are purely fictional, and purely flexible, with an option for a music-based podcast, and a talk-based podcast with a football flavour. Feel free to copy/paste/adapt. If you find these useful, let me know in the comments below.
Sample running order: Music podcast
For this podcast, I’ve gone with a mix of chat and music, covering industry news, an artist interview, back-to-back songs from an artist’s spotlight, a playlist segment that covers up to eight songs and some closing remarks. Before Spotify playlists, music podcasts were more about music, but the format is still applicable whether for podcasts or a special interest radio show.
Podcast Title: Give your podcast a title here Episode Title: Give your episode a title here, save thinking of one at the end of post-production Total Duration: 60 minutes
Segment 1: Introduction (2 minutes)
Host introduces themselves and the podcast, providing a brief overview of what listeners can expect in this episode
Tease the special guest artist for this episode and the artist spotlight
For this running order, I’m taking the sports route, spreading the content between news, an interview, fan engagement, analysis and previews, a debate and a quick roundup. That’s more than enough to see you off and running.
Podcast Title: The Soccer Show Episode Title: Countdown to the Champions League Knockouts with Cristiano Ronaldo (wishful thinking) Total Duration: 60 minutes
Segment 1: Introduction (2 minutes)
Host introduces themselves and gives a quick overview of this episode
Tease out the special guest(s) and upcoming segments
Segment 2: Football news flash (8 minutes)
Recap major news and developments in the big European leagues.
Brief discussion on significant transfers, headlines of recent days, injuries or controversies
Segment 3: Featured interview (15 minutes)
Introduce the special guest for this episode (let’s call him Cristiano Ronaldo), or maybe it’s another player, manager or supporter
Conversation about their playing/managerial career, insights on the game, some personal anecdotes
Discussion on current team performance, expectations for the season
Note: this section might need to pre-prep with the guest so they’ve also done their homework
Segment 4: Fan’s corner (7 minutes)
Use this segment to highlight fans’ comments and opinions (maybe on the previous episode or topic for this episode)
Host(s) read selected fan messages or play voice notes sent in by listeners
Offer quick reactions and responses to fans’ opinions
Segment 5: Match previews (10 minutes)
Preview upcoming round of Champions League knockouts (as per the title) or standout games in various leagues or competitions
Provide analysis and predictions for each of the key games
Segment 6: Round table debate (10 minutes)
This one certainly works better in a two-hander scenario unless you’ve got a solid rant / soap box ready.
Involve different viewpoints either from co-hosts or invited experts
Segment 7: Roundup & closing remarks (6 minutes)
Do a quick roundup of the episode’s highlights
Announce the next episode’s date and tease the content that’s coming up
Thank guests and any participants from the debate segment
Segment 8: Guest’s song pick (2 minutes)
“End on a song”, get your guest to pick a song to close the episode. Lord only knows what Cristiano Ronaldo listens to.
Host introduces the song, thanks listeners, gives the subscription details, off you go.
This running order offers a balanced and engaging structure for a football-themed podcast, providing variety and comprehensive coverage while allowing for interactive and entertaining segments and, if you can stick to the timings, it’s all wrapped up in 60 minutes. It’s hard to beat consistency like that.
Feel free to adjust the durations and content to suit your podcast’s unique style and audience but if you launch a podcast based on the running order or framework above, be sure to let me know in the comments so I can give it a listen.
In an era dominated by Spotify, Apple Music, and various podcast platforms, it’s easy to overlook the enduring presence and significance of traditional radio.
Despite the surge of on-demand services, radio continues to play a pivotal role in our daily lives. For the case of Irish readers, you would just have to look to the most recent JNLR reports (how radio stations measure listenership) where you’ll find that on an island that’s not long after passing the five million mark on the population front, we’ve got over three million adults regularly engaged with traditional radio. Not only that, but Irish adults spend significantly more time stuck to the radio than to Spotify or other audio streaming services.
So what can radio offer that Spotify and digital broadcasting or on-demand services can’t?
1. A sense of community
Radio, particularly independent and local radio, fosters a sense of local community that is unparalleled. Stations will highlight news, sport, entertainment, local artists, events, and more, providing a platform for the unique culture and happenings of a specific franchise area.
In the case of Irish radio, you’ll have local stations that operate on a single-county basis like Radio Kerry, Clare FM, Tipp FM, a dual-county basis like KCLR (Kilkenny, Carlow), LMFM (Louth Monaghan), a three-county basis (Midlands 103 covering Laois, Offaly, Westmeath) before moving into regional radio stations like Beat (south east), Spin (south west), iRadio (midlands and surrounds) and onto the nationals.
Localised content helps listeners feel connected to their community, providing a sense of belonging and understanding that global streaming services can’t offer.
2. Accessibility and inclusivity
One of radio’s standout features is its accessibility. Even in the 21st century we’ve got broadband poverty (read lack of internet access) but your trusty FM radio, be it in the corner of your kitchen, your car or – if you’re still rocking an older Nokia handset with an FM receiver in it – your phone, doesn’t require any online connectivity to pick up a signal. This inclusivity ensures that information and entertainment are available to everyone, regardless of their economic status or geographical location.
3. Real-time information
Radio is a reliable source of real-time information, especially during emergencies. Whether it’s severe weather warnings (I’m looking at you, winter of 2010), traffic updates, or breaking news, radio stations provide timely and accurate reports that keep communities informed and safe.
In 2022, the annual Eurobarometer survey from the European Commission singled out radio as the most-trusted medium for information in Europe for the 12th year in a row with radio trusted by 56% of the population on average. In the UK that figure rises to 61%, far surpassing TV and other press. Access those survey details here.
4. Engaging personalities
The charm of radio often lies in the engaging personalities that host shows. Whether it’s current affairs or music, farming or the arts, presenters are more likely to offer a human touch, sharing stories, insights, and humour that build a rapport with listeners.
As a presenter, listeners will want to know you, like you and trust you. It takes work, but this personal connection turns the listening experience into a relationship, with audiences tuning in to hear familiar and beloved voices, something you’re not likely to get too much out of from streaming music services.
5. Diverse content
While streaming services often rely on algorithms to suggest content (you are the product, even though we’re now paying higher subscription rates), radio offers a curated experience that introduces listeners to new music and ideas. The diversity of content, spanning different genres, topics, and discussions, provides a rich listening experience that caters to a wide audience.
Going back to local radio, this becomes even more pertinent with content delivered based on the issues impacting and concerns of those living within the franchise area of the radio station – be it live sport you won’t get anywhere else, political debate, updates on key local developments
6. Supporting local talent
Many artists owe their success to the exposure provided by local radio stations. These platforms play a crucial role in promoting emerging talent, offering a stepping stone for artists to reach wider audiences and establish their careers. Spotify’s also not going to pay the bills unless you’re hitting some serious streaming numbers.
Radio plays, however, continue to garner sizeable payments for smaller artists and the trust placed in radio presenters even to this day can help make or break talent.
7. Educational value
Radio is not just about music; it’s a platform for education and learning. From talk shows discussing current affairs to programs dedicated to science, health, the arts, farming (thinking of our own schedule here), history and technology, radio is a treasure trove of knowledge that educates as it entertains.
8. Nostalgia and tradition
For many, radio is steeped in nostalgia, reminiscent of a time when families would gather around the radio set to listen to shows, news, and music together. Some of that I’ve covered here and reflected on in my own radio upbringing.
This sense of tradition and shared experience continues to resonate with listeners, offering comfort and continuity in a rapidly changing media landscape.
There’s room for everybody
While Spotify and other streaming services offer convenience and a vast library of content, traditional radio continues to hold its ground with a unique blend of community connection, accessibility, engaging personalities, and diverse content.
That said, there’s room for everybody and when I’m not listening to radio, you’ll find me tucked into a podcast likely because I find the content relevant to me and what I’m interested in or the host is good at tying it all together.
But as long as there are listeners and as long as the world keeps turning, we’ll still have radio and it will still be there, in the corner of the room, on the commute or in the background in your local coffee shop, keeping you company, keeping you informed and keeping you entertained, without having to shell out 12.99 a month for it.
While we’re early in September, you’re always a step or two ahead in the world of radio when it comes to planning for competitions, features and activations.
It gives you time to work out mechanics, get sponsors on board, get presenters up to speed, plan social media elements and all the rest. If you’re looking for some suggestions for the month of October, I’ve got you covered with a few ideas.
Sure, you may have to tailor ideas to suit your audience or a particular show, but hopefully they’ll provide a good jumping-off point. Let’s jump in.
Radio competition and activation ideas for October
1. Halloween Costume Contest
Children in Halloween costumes (Spiderman and Captain America). Photo: Steven Libralon/Unsplash
If you’re looking at boosting listener engagement and looking at a way to test out some WhatsApp interaction, why not consider a virtual Halloween costume contest? Keep it straightforward, have listeners submit photos of their costumes, get yourself a shortlist, and then have listeners vote for their favourite costumes either online or via text.
As for prizes, that could be one for your commercial team but consider options on vouchers, Halloween party packs (depending on the target age group for your competition, decorations to snacks), or a cash prize (it’s still king, right?).
2. Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Breast Cancer Awareness. Photo: Angiola Harry / Unsplash
October is breast cancer awareness month. You’ll find radio stations around the world adopting pink colour schemes and stylesheets for their websites and apps, adding ribbons to socials and getting busy on air. Survivor stories get shared, there are interviews with experts, prevention tips and advice from all corners.
While it can be a sensitive topic and hard for some people to discuss on air, it may be nice to run a competition encouraging the sharing of stories and first-hand experiences to help raise awareness.
Listeners could share a story or nominate someone who’s been dealing with their own cancer journey and may need a change of scenery, a break away or some pampering. With that in mind, prize ideas could be gift cards, spa vouchers, overnight stays, or a dine-at-home package. Maybe your mechanic is as simple as having someone on air to share their story and by virtue of doing that, they’re getting something nice in return.
You could also encourage listeners to donate to a related charity or participate in awareness events taking place over the course of the month.
3. Autumn/Fall recipe swap & cook-off
Halloween cupcakes. Photo: Monstera Production / Pexels
With the evenings starting to draw in, October is usually a time for cooking a bit more in the kitchen. Meals become heartier, more comfort food (think Shepherds Pie, lasagne, a curry, nut roast).
Invite listeners to your station to submit their favourite recipes for this time of year, then select and share the best ones for air. To close out the competition, turn it into a studio event or outside broadcast by hosting a cook-off or tasting event. Most stations these days with a magazine programme or current affairs programme have a foodie or chef on hand to chip in with expert tips and tricks. Get them involved in the judging process, and make a morning out of it.
For prizes consider shopping or grocery vouchers, restaurant vouchers, cooking courses, a day with a chef etc.
4. Spooky story submission
For grown-ups and children alike, why not have listeners submit a short, spooky story or experience? From a production element, make the decision whether you narrate the best ones for air or accept the entries in an audio medium, like an audio message through your station’s mobile app (thank you, AIIR) or via WhatsApp.
This ties into the Halloween theme of the month – it is October after all – and you could have listeners vote on the spookiest / scariest / strangest story.
5. Sports fan feature
In Ireland, October usually means the end of the GAA club season for most with county championships being played out on the hurling or football front, depending on whether your county board is running a split season between codes. While the Ryder Cup will be out of the way, we’ve still got the Rugby World Cup this year, the Premier League and Champions League are in full swing while in the US, it’s all about football and baseball.
Get your sports show involved with fan predictions, rituals, and favourite sporting memories or if you’re providing live game coverage, the tried and tested Player of the Match competitions tend to drive plenty of listener engagement.
6. Oktoberfest celebration
Oktoberfest beer. Photo: Louis Hansel / Unsplash
If you’re sticking to the German calendar, you’d want to be on this one early enough this month. Typically, Oktoberfest will run mid-September ish through to the first Sunday in October though you’ll find plenty of bars and beer houses that will extend that deadline out to the end of October.
Where you’ve got food features running, look for an Oktoberfest tie-in – share facts, history, music, and open discussions with local breweries for tasting and demos. Have listeners share Oktoberfest experiences or photos, though you’ll need to play within the guidelines when it comes to talking about or promoting alcohol on air.
Why not push the boat out altogether and cap it all off with a prize of a trip for two to Munich or another Bavarian outpost to explore that side of German culture?
October is usually a good month for financial planning. On a personal level, you’re trying to get a handle on where you’re at financially for the end of the year. On the commercial front, your station may already be setting out budgets for next year, along with many of your clients. In Ireland, the biggest tell is the start of annual returns and the Budget announcement.
In December we might look at financial options for January but for the planning end of things in October, think about featuring financial experts providing tips and answering listener questions on anything from savings and investments, college funding, handling credit cards, dealing with banks, applying for loans or mortgages and getting yourself on a solid financial footing.
From a competition point of view, consider running a competition where show listeners could win a free consultation with a financial advisor, and maybe some cash to see them over the line and help make the end of the year’s expenditure a bit easier.
Got anything to add?
This list isn’t exhaustive by any means and may not fit your demographic, so if you’ve got suggestions of your own and you fancy sharing them with the rest of the class, leave them in the comments below and I’ll expand the list.
The medium of radio has helped to capture and captivate audiences around the world for over a century.
Radio wasn’t always ten hits in a row and wasn’t always commercial or regulated either. By way of a presentation that had to be given at one time to a group of radio-curious students, here’s a slow but steady outline of the evolution of radio broadcasting in just around six minutes-ish.
If it’s not behind a paywall, you can also get a good feel for Irish radio history from this piece in 2018.
The evolution of radio
From its initial sparks to today’s digital innovations, radio has continually evolved, bridging distances and bringing communities together. Some corners will tell you it’s a dying medium, but of everything that’s come and gone, radio is still here and in some corners stronger than ever. So how did it start, and where is it off to?
The Early Days: Wireless Telegraphy
The story of radio broadcasting starts not with voices but with dots and dashes. In 1901, Guglielmo Marconi made groundbreaking advances in wireless telegraphy—transmitting Morse code signals without the need for wires. This invention signalled the possibilities of a new form of communication, and the world began to take notice. Marconi was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his radio work in 1909. If you’ve ever wondered where Marconi House, home to Newstalk and TodayFM in Ireland got its name, that would be a solid guess.
A voice across the Atlantic: Ireland’s role in early radio development
One of the most pivotal moments in the history of radio took place in the serene surroundings of Ireland. Going back to that date in 1901, Marconi sent the first-ever transatlantic wireless signal from Cornwall in the UK to Newfoundland in Canada. The buildup to that event had started in Ireland with the earliest-known radio broadcast in the country said to have happened as far back as 1898, with Marconi establishing a wireless telegraphy link between Rathlin Island and Ballycastle. Marconi established a base in Clifden, Galway, in 1907 that operated until the 1920s, a station responsible for the first commercial wireless messages across the Atlantic.
The first broadcast in Ireland is considered to be a Morse code transmission, sent from the GPO in Dublin by the rebels during the Easter Rising.
However, the echo of Ireland’s contributions reverberated again in 1926 when the first official radio broadcast in the Emerald Isle graced the airwaves, courtesy of 2RN, which would later evolve into Radio Éireann and subsequently RTÉ, Ireland’s national broadcaster.
The ‘Roaring Twenties’ and the radio boom
The 1920s heralded the golden age of radio, in particular in America. Stations mushroomed across the U.S., Europe, and other parts of the world. Long before Netflix and Prime, long before TV sets were a staple of households, families gathered around their radio sets, drawn in by the music, news, dramas, and adventures that flowed from the speakers.
No longer limited to Morse code, the world could now hear voices, transcending boundaries and oceans.
World War & radio: Broadcasting on the frontlines
On the European front, the power of radio became evident during World War II (1939-1945).
It was a critical tool for propaganda, information dissemination, and boosting morale. Governments realised the medium’s potential for reaching the masses, and the radio played a crucial role on both the home front and the battlefront.
From AM to FM and beyond
Technological advancements over the years brought clearer sound quality and broader reach. In the mid-20th century, FM (it stands for ‘frequency modulation’, by the way) was introduced, offering a static-free listening experience compared to AM (which stands for ‘amplitude modulation’). By the 1970s, FM became the preferred choice for music broadcasts. In Ireland you’ll see FM adopted as part of a lot of commercial radio stations’ branding – Clare FM, Tipp FM, 96FM, Today FM, Red FM, LMFM etc.
Community radio in Ireland
In Ireland, community radio has been alive and well since the 1970s and while 2RN (later becoming RTÉ Radio 1) has been around since the 1920s, followed by Raidió na Gaeltachta and 2FM, commercial radio in Irelan was outlawed until 1989 meaning pirate radio thrived.
Once legislation and licensing were introduced in 1989, a shape began to fall on the Irish radio landscape which today sees over thirty commercial radio stations operating, backed by a growing network of community broadcasters serving needs not often met by commercial license holders.
Community license and commercial license holders typically operate within different parameters, with community broadcasting typically more focused on the immediate surroundings of the community (or up to a certain radius). At the time of writing, Craol, the body that oversees community radio in Ireland, lists 21 active community stations with a further 13 in development, all operating on FM.
A new millennium: digital broadcasting & streaming
The onset of the 21st century saw another evolution: digital radio broadcasting. DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) offers listeners more channels, even clearer sound, and additional information about the song or program being broadcasted. DAB trials ran for years in Ireland but while wider European markets, the UK, Australia and Canada have made great inroads with DAB, the technology was effectively given a bullet in Ireland in 2021.
Concurrently, the rise of internet availability, smartphone enhancements and smart speakers introduced more online streaming, meaning suddenly, radio stations from around the globe were accessible from desktops and smartphones.
Online advancements coupled with smarter scheduling software and increased quality in audio feeds have also seen traditional FM radio stations make the jump to additional online-only offerings of dedicated 80s and 90s channels, sports channels, documentary channels and more.
The Future of Radio: What Lies Ahead?
As we stand on the cusp of a new era, one might wonder: where is radio headed next?
With the rise of smart speakers and AI assistants, radio is becoming more interactive. Podcasts, a modern derivative of radio, have surged in popularity, indicating listeners’ appetite for on-demand, niche content. Regardless of how many podcasts there are, there never seems to be enough.
Innovations in technology may also pave the way for immersive radio experiences. Picture 3D sound environments, where it feels like you’re right in the midst of a radio drama or at a live concert broadcast. Moreover, as the world grapples with issues like climate change and socio-political divides, radio, with its vast reach, can play a pivotal role in awareness and education.
So while the methods of broadcasting and the devices we use have evolved greatly, the essence of radio remains unchanged.
It’s a medium that tells stories, connects people, and reflects the zeitgeist of every era.
Here’s to the next chapter of radio, as it continues to adapt, innovate, and captivate.
Well hello there, September, and while I’m at it, farewell to the old archive of musings available here at kenmcguire.ie.
By way of an introduction, my name is Ken McGuire and I’ve been producing content for podcasts and radio for the best part of 20 years. It’s taken me almost as long to start writing about it.
As a product of 80s and 90s Ireland, radio has always been there for me. You woke up to a radio, had it in the car, brought it in your pocket, fell asleep to it and did it all over again. From request shows to concerts, eagerly waiting to find out what was going to be top of the Irish music charts, to hoping the presenter would stop yapping so you could hit record at *just* the right moment for a mixtape, radio holds a lot of fond memories of a youth well spent. Even through my college years, the radio was still there as a daily interaction, before jumping into podcast production in 2006. Ask most people in 2006 what I podcast was and they’d be throwing funny looks at you. Apple Podcasts wasn’t there. Spotify wasn’t there. But we still did it.
In the years since, I’ve presented and produced hundreds of episodes of varying podcast series on music, food, technology, sport and gaming. I’ve been an arts presenter and reporter, night-time radio presenter, and drive-time radio presenter (a fine 4+ years presenting KCLR Drive) and as I write this gentle introduction, you’ll find me as a broadcast engineer for KCLR where all those learnings come into play. Sure, you’ll still hear me on air, and you’ll find me on radio ads around the country, but a lot more of the work these days happens behind the scenes in helping develop and shape the technical runnings of a radio station and all the add-ons that come with it on the digital front.
From radio aficionado to content creator in the audio sense, it’s been a fun and rewarding journey to date and this blog is a culmination of those experiences.
So let’s talk about radio and podcasting
Seen as I spend my days either creating content for people’s ears or working on content and technical solutions for the FM and digital worlds, I may as well write about it too.
For the radio buffs, I’ll be sharing insights into the world of radio technology, shining a light on some of the magic behind the airwaves, and discussing the technicalities, innovations and evolution of radio as I see it. Sure, there are plenty of people out there far more qualified than I in different aspects of the industry so I’m sharing my thoughts, learnings and observations while signposting some of the great reads and research I find along the way.
On the podcasting side, for both budding and seasoned podcasters, in due time you’ll find a treasure trove of tips and tricks. Whether you’re looking to start your own podcast or fine-tune existing content, I’ll have you covered. In the middle, I’ll look at where radio meets podcasting, opening the door on the future of audio content and the exciting possibilities that it holds.
Add to that a sprinkle of industry news, trends and insights, you’ll find plenty to chew on with updates coming 2-3 times a week.
What to expect and how to connect
Over the coming months (it’s been well planned out at this stage), you can expect a mix of deep dives, tutorials, thoughts and suggestions that will help with podcast production and radio programming. I’m aiming this content at both industry professionals and aspiring radio and podcast creators. The comments are always open, so feel free to jump in and have your say on any of the articles you’ll find here and let’s start a conversation.
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