Booming growth in demand for innovative audio programming has resulted in startling expansion for Australian new media company The Podcast Network.

Launched mid-February to capitalise on a global explosion of portable audio players, the month of March saw a show being downloaded every 44 seconds from the network. Over 60,000 mp3 files were downloaded from their website, www.thepodcastnetwork.com, with a new listener being added every 1.7 minutes.

In just six weeks the world’s first commercial podcasting network has launched 14 weekly shows with a further 10 in various stages of post-production.

Podcasting allows both amateurs and professional broadcasters to create audio files that internet users can download to computers and then on to their iPods or other digital audio players.

From its sudden emergence in mid 2004, podcasting has spawned at least 4000 new shows, ranging from technology-focused product reviews to sports commentary and ‘chit-chat’ shows.

The Podcast Network has established its own unique stable of titles. An eclectic collection of channels is being developed ranging from business, technology and science to lifestyle, which are all managed and aggregated under the one roof.

Current programs on The Podcast Network include:

G’day World
The BizBlog Show
The Gadget Show
The Media Centre Show
The Mobiles Show
The Tablet PC Show
The techAddiction Show
The Tech Conference Show
The Microsoft Developer Show
The Jazz Show
The Movie Show
The Rock Show
The AFL Show
Claybourne

Co-founder of The Podcast Network Cameron Reilly said the explosion in growth over such a short period was further evidence that podcasting would be the buzzword for 2005.

“We are now witnessing the rise of Generation C. These are people who have the ability to create and distribute their own content and the desire to listen to their peers,” he said.

“We expected fast growth when we launched the business, but this overwhelming response has exceeded even our expectations.

“If we can maintain this momentum, within seven months we’ll have half a million listeners, which is equivalent of the top radio stations in any Australian city. That’s when the podcasting business model will come into its own.”

Early corporate adopters of podcasting already include Australia’s Triple J, Britain’s BBC and New York City’s WNYC public radio station. Austereo also acknowledged this week it has been conducting podcasting trials.

Mr Reilly said The Podcasting Network viewed podcasting efforts by radio networks as helping legitimise the medium.

“While it’s great to see mainstream recognition of the value of podcasting, it’s important to understand that podcasting is much more than a new delivery channel,” he said.

“This is the start of a significant shift away from mass media towards consumer generated niche programming.”

“The Podcast Network has recognised the value of this medium and is expediting the production, distribution, adoption and monetization of downloadable audio programming. We intend to be the first company to legitimize MP3 players as a channel for advertising.”

ENDS

CAMERON REILLY

Cameron Reilly is one of Australia’s most experienced internet and e-business consultants. During his career at Microsoft Australia (1998-2004), he held several key positions designing the sales and delivery strategy of their e-business and internet technologies. Prior to Microsoft, Cameron was a sales manager at OzEmail (1996-98), one of Australia’s leading Internet Service Providers. He designed and executed sales strategies which helped OzEmail double their consumer client base. He has also worked in video production and banking and finance.

For more information contact:

Cameron Reilly

Email: cameronreilly@gmail.com

Mob: +61 400 455334

Tel: +61 3 9687 0236

MICK STANIC

Since 1990, Mick Stanic has been providing business, marketing and technical solutions and strategies that have utilised emerging technologies to some of the world’s largest companies. Mick has held senior roles at a number of Australian firms and for the past four years (2000-2004) was the Executive Producer / Technical Director for the Interactive arm of one of Australia’s largest advertising agencies, Singleton Ogilvy & Mather.

For more information contact:

Mick Stanic

Email: mick.stanic@principius.com

Mob: +61 413 804931

Tel: +61 2 8212 4098

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