Podcasting burst onto the media landscape in the early 2000s. At the time, there were hopes it mightusher in a new wave of amateur and professional cultural production and represent an alternate model for how to produce, share, circulate and experience new voices and perspectives. Twenty years later,podcasting is at a critical juncture in its young history: a moment where the early ideals of open standards and platform-neutral distribution are giving way to services that prioritize lean-back listening and monetizable media experiences.

This bookprovides an accessible and comprehensive account of one of digital medias most vibrant formats. Focusing on the historical changes shaping podcasts as a media format, the book explores theindustrial, technological and cultural components of podcasting alongside case studies of various podcasts, industry publications, and streaming audio platforms (e.g. Spotify, Google and Apple Podcasts).Jeremy Morrisarguesthatas streaming platforms push to make podcasting more industrialized, accessible, user-friendly and similar to other audio media like music or audiobooks, they threatenpodcastings early, though always unrealized, promises.

This is the go-to introduction for students and researchers of media, communication and cultural studies, as well as readers who enjoy making and listening to podcasts.