The Radio’s evolution into podcasting

Once upon a time the radio dominated popular culture and society.

Many living in the 21st century are unaware of just how popular radio was. Not only could listeners turn the machine on at home, but they could take it with them to work, on a walk, and even listen to it in the car, while on a road trip. In other words, it was much bigger than television. 

Despite its success in the past, many people today would say that “radio is dead.” However, this assessment would be wrong. Radio is alive and well, and still being listened to by hundreds of millions of people. Radio stations are still active and successful. But, radio has also taken a new form, in podcasting. Podcasts were once considered uninteresting rambles. However, in 2024, they are immensely popular. 

The Different Kinds of Podcasts

Just like how radio stations would cover all kinds of different topics, a person can find podcasts about any topic that they are curious about. Even niche topics get a lot of attention in the world of podcasting. For example, online casinos and gambling may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you are interested, there are dozens of excellent shows covering the latest news.

In truth, the gambling industry has become a lot more successful recently. The reason for this success is simple; new online casinos in the UK and beyond have made gambling a lot more accessible. In order to appeal to the rising demographic, a lot of professional gamblers and casino reviewers are starting up podcasts in order to share their stories, or talk about the best sites. 

Casinos are not the only podcasting topic that people have a vested interest in. Nowadays, a quick look at Spotify can yield all kinds of exciting results. If history is a topic of interest, there are many shows going over the full story of the Roman Empire, Ancient Greece, and even Prehistoric civilizations. If mythology and religion is more your speed, there are shows covering that as well. 

However, what if you are simply looking for entertainment? Back during the height of the radio, dramas were a popular pastime for the young and old. Figures like The Shadow or The Green Hornet dominated the airwaves. Are there any podcast equivalents to the radio dramas of the 20th century?

Podcast Dramas 

The audio drama is making a huge comeback, in large part thanks to podcasts. Some are stories told by a single person, read in an omniscient narrator’s voice. Others are full-blown productions, created by a group of professional voice actors. Though the first audio dramas of the “podcast age” began appearing in the early-to-mid 2000s, the one that really struck it big was the 2012 science fiction/satire show, Welcome to Night Vale.

The show takes place in a Midwestern town called Night Vale, where all sorts of strange, supernatural, paranormal, or downright bizarre events occur. It is up to the residents of the town to deal with these events, and find new ways to overcome them. The show’s success was immense, and today, it is widely regarded as the best and most accomplished modern audio drama. The success of audio dramas has also resulted in the rise of another incredibly popular podcast pastime, for which there is no radio equivalent; the board game podcast. 

The Board Game Podcasts

Pen & Paper RPGs like Dungeons & Dragons were once considered the domain of nerds, dorks, and generally social outcasts. However, in 2024, the game has gone mainstream. Of course, many have asked “Why?” Could it be the general rise in popularity of fantasy fiction? Or, might it have something to do with the immense success of the Critical Role podcast?

Critical Role is a podcast comprised of professional voice actors, led by Matthew Mercer. The show sees the group play out a multi-campaign, deeply layered story, masterminded by Mercer himself, who serves as the Dungeon Master. But, it isn’t just Mercer’s dedication to the story that makes it a success. It is also the incredible, raw charisma that each individual player brings to the table. 

Critical Role’s success has caused many to emulate the formula, to varying degrees of success. It has reached the point now, where “Dungeons and Dragons podcasts” are a genre in their own right. And in truth; they can be quite fun for fans of the classic P&P RPG.