Although we have many options for entertainment but out of all, the most significant for me is Podcasts. Where mundane traveling hits the brains cells badly, one has a need to get out of the stress by listening to their curated favorite lists. However, during the pandemics when people are working from home this growing segment of online entertainment Podcast, has witnessed balanced growth.
According to television viewership agency BARC and data measurement firm Nielsen, audio streaming platforms that in the second quarter of 2020, from June-end, growth in the sector has improved and focused on audio streaming. During the distress time of pandemic, these platforms reported an increased interest in fun, devotional, an spiritual audio content. News podcasts is another major interest area reported, especially from platforms like BBC News, CNN and others.
With an estimated 40 million podcast listeners, India has become the world’s third-largest podcast market after the US and China according to a PWC report. The sector witnessed 60% growth in 2018 as homegrown startups penetrated the market with new shows offering a wide array of local and personalized content to cater to the young population of India. The major factors that have contribute to audio streaming growth in the last few years are the increasing population of youth, affordable mobile data, and on-demand content.
Spotify that was introduced in India in September 2019 is a Swedish audio streaming company. It launched its first crime original “Death, Lies & Cyanide” in the country. Other podcasts including the like of The Ranveer Show (a motivational program), Harry Potter At Home: Readings, and The Michelle Obama Podcast have gained much popularity in a short period.
The newly introduced dating platform Bumble has recently launched an eight-part series named “Is Romance Dead” that talks about relationships, dating, and love on Spotify. Apple Podcasts is hosting a series based on interviews and behind-the-scenes information on the new James Bond film “No Time to Die”. JioSaavn and Gaana, are following the lead with an increase in both the catalogs and the total time spent on Podcasts consumption on the platforms.
So, if you have not yet tried your ears on Podcasts, I seriously recommend that you give it a go. Do share your experience with all our readers. I also invite other readers to share your favourite Podcasts for the listening pleasure of other Podcast enthusiasts.
(Edited by Monica P Singhal)