Top Ten Podcasts on iTunes and why

Here is your competition.
If you are a budding podcast producer, with ambitions of replacing Howard Stern as the King of All Media, a  you should pay attention to a few things on the list below. Traditional broadcast media has finally gotten the word that podcasting is the Bomb. They are steadily taking over most of the categories in iTunes with canned versions of their on-air broadcasts. Take heart though, the beauty of the internet is the fact that podcast listeners "Choose" what programs they subscribe, download and consume.

Networking:
With the exception of Adam Carolla everyone of these shows have the backing of a large media outlet. They leverage the power and prestige of their parent network's status as high quality content producers. Six of the top ten shows on iTunes are public radio properties. Carolla's podcast popularity stems from his comedy career, politically incorrectness and positioning as a Pirate Ship in a sea of mediocrity. Dennis Miller is another comedian with a sharp wit and something to say about our society that people like to hear.

Quality:
Every single one of these shows are professionally produced with excellent sound quality and offered in high bit-rate compression formats. They are not sitting in their bedroom closet recording Skype calls. They have great production values and a trained broadcast sound engineer bringing the show together.

Preparation:
Hint, even the three or four supposedly "Free Form" shows have producers, ADs, interns and show runners doing the grunt work. Somebody has to do the research, dig up phone numbers and arrange interviews. Everyone of these shows has a script, call sheet, live reads, compliance logs, etc... these all have to be maintained by someone.

Funding:
Each and every show listed below is recorded and produced with equipment and facilities costing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Most of the hosts and talent is on a salary generated by the shows. Serving up the millions of weekly downloads costs thousands of dollars a month. So who pays these bills? Well NPR is publicly funded through tax deductible grants and donations. The rest sell advertising the same way broadcast media does. As a matter of fact ad agencies actually love podcast ads because they can track views, downloads, subscriptions for their clients. Broadcast media can really only guess.

Now for the Good, no Great News about average joe podcasting. By choosing the right niche, good content and providing a decent sound quality you can be heard.

Stay tuned for more insanely great insight and opinions about podcasts and podcasting culture here at PodcastBingo.net.

iTunes Top Ten Overall Podcasts for February 2013

NPR - NPR: TED Radio Hour Podcast artwork NPR: TED Radio Hour Podcast
NPR
Genre: Technology
Release Date: March 7, 2013

The TED Radio Hour is a journey through fascinating ideas: astonishing inventions, fresh approaches to old problems, new ways to think and create. Based on Talks given by riveting speakers on the world-renowned TED stage, each show is centered on a common theme - such as the source of happiness, crowd-sourcing innovation, power shifts, or inexplicable connections. The TED Radio Hour is hosted by Guy Raz, and is a co-production of NPR & TED.

© © Copyright: Copyright 2012 NPR - For Personal Use Only

Chicago Public Media - This American Life artwork This American Life
Chicago Public Media
Genre: Personal Journals
Release Date: March 10, 2013

Official free, weekly podcast of the award-winning radio show "This American Life." First-person stories and short fiction pieces that are touching, funny, and surprising. Hosted by Ira Glass, from WBEZ Chicago Public Media, and distributed by Public Radio International. In mp3 and updated Mondays.

© © Copyright 1995-2013 Chicago Public Media & Ira Glass

NPR - NPR Programs: Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! Podcast artwork NPR Programs: Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! Podcast
NPR
Genre: Games & Hobbies
Release Date: March 9, 2013

NPR's weekly current events quiz. Have a laugh and test your news knowledge while figuring out what's real and what we've made up.

© © Copyright 2007 NPR - For Personal Use Only

Jad Abumrad & Robert Krulwich - WNYC's Radiolab artwork WNYC's Radiolab
Jad Abumrad & Robert Krulwich
Genre: Natural Sciences
Release Date: March 5, 2013

On Radiolab, science meets culture and information sounds like music. Each episode of Radiolab® is an investigation -- a patchwork of people, sounds, stories and experiences centered around One Big Idea. Hosted by Jad Abumrad and Robert Krulwich, Radiolab is produced by WNYC public radio. Support the adventure with a donation by pasting the following URL into your browser: http://www.wnyc.org/epledge/radiolab

© © WNYC Radio

Stephen J. Dubner - Freakonomics Radio artwork Freakonomics Radio
Stephen J. Dubner
Genre: Society & Culture
Release Date: March 6, 2013

In their books "Freakonomics" and "SuperFreakonomics," Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner explore "the hidden side of everything," with stories about cheating schoolteachers, self-dealing real-estate agents, and crack-selling mama’s boys. The Freakonomics Radio podcast, hosted by Dubner, carries on that tradition with weekly episodes. Prepare to be enlightened, engaged, perhaps enraged, and definitely surprised.

© © (c) WNYC, APM and Dubner Productions

HowStuffWorks.com - Stuff You Should Know artwork Stuff You Should Know
HowStuffWorks.com
Genre: Society & Culture
Release Date: March 9, 2013

What makes a one-hit wonder? Do people really run off to join the French Foreign Legion? Join Chuck and Josh as they break down everything from music to the military in Stuff You Should Know, a podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.

© © Copyright 2011 HowStuffWorks.com

The Moth - The Moth Podcast artwork The Moth Podcast
The Moth
Genre: Performing Arts
Release Date: March 4, 2013

Since its launch in 1997, The Moth has presented thousands of true stories, told live and without notes, to standing-room-only crowds worldwide. Moth storytellers stand alone, under a spotlight, with only a microphone and a roomful of strangers. The storyteller and the audience embark on a high-wire act of shared experience which is both terrifying and exhilarating. Since 2008, The Moth podcast has featured many of our favorite stories told live on Moth stages around the country. For information on all of our programs and live events, visit themoth.org.
 © 2006-2010

The Adam Carolla Show - The Adam Carolla Show artwork The Adam Carolla Show
The Adam Carolla Show
Genre: Comedy
Release Date: March 10, 2013

The Adam Carolla Show is the #1 Daily Downloaded Podcast in the World. GET IT ON as Adam shares his thoughts on current events, relationships, airport security, specialty pizzas, hobos, and anything else he can complain about. Five days a week and completely uncensored, Adam welcomes a wide range of guests to join him on the couch for in depth interviews and a front row seat to his unparalleled ranting. Let's not forget Bryan Bishop (Bald Bryan) on sound effects and Alison Rosen on news.

© © 2009-2013 Carolla Digital

NPR - NPR Programs: Fresh Air Podcast artwork NPR Programs: Fresh Air Podcast
NPR
Genre: Society & Culture
Release Date: March 9, 2013

Fresh Air from WHYY, the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues, is one of public radio's most popular programs. Hosted by Terry Gross, the show features intimate conversations with today's biggest luminaries.

© © Copyright 2007 NPR - For Personal Use Only

PodcastOne - Miller Time with Dennis Miller artwork Miller Time with Dennis Miller
PodcastOne
Genre: News & Politics
Release Date: March 8, 2013

The daily rant for the King of All Rants. Nationally syndicated talk radio host, comedian, actor and SNL legend, Dennis Miller gives his unfiltered, unadulterated, unscripted take on everything from news and politics to sports and entertainment.

© Copyright © 2002-2013 PodcastOne.com. All rights reserved.