Just read this exciting post from Ryan Morrison about the state of BBC podcasts. I listen to half a dozen or so BBC podcasts - the content and quality is always good, but I’ve always found that the number of shows is limited. Ryan explains that the BBC Trust has approved podcasting as a format and that now the BBC will have more control over their podcasts. He also mentions a new podcast page, listing all of the BBC podcasts available from different sources.
I hope that this means we will see many new BBC podcasts, and eventually reach a point where every BBC radio show (every episodic show that is, such as The Archers or The Now Show, not necessarily the “normal” radio shows like breakfast and drive time shows - the daily/weekly digests are perfect and the ugly music royalties issue can be avoided) will be available in a downloadable format, maybe for longer than a week as well. Maybe they BBC Archive will also see fit to release some classic BBC radio shows for us to reminisce - like the fantastic Mary Whitehouse Experience.
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I think we will see a LOT more shows added to the Podcast list BUT certain shows will never appear - mainly because the BBC doesn’t own all the rights to every show they broadcast.
The Archers is a good example - that might never happen because the actors, writers, soundFX people etc would require payment for every download (or at least a special payment in return for making it available openly forever as a podcast).
These shows WILL be available to download (not as a podcast) through the iPlayer when it launches in full at the end of the year and I’m hoping they will adopt a DRM solution that will let me put them on my iPod.
They will be time limited but will still be available to transfer to portable devices.