In the past, if you wanted to listen to conversations, news, music,\nor simply something to accompany your journey, the easiest choice was to\nturn on the radio. Now, you only need to open your phone. There are\nthousands of podcasts to choose from, ranging from casual chats, comedy,\nhorror stories, mental health, business, sports, and technology, to\ncurrent news and issues.<\/p>\n
Podcasts are no longer strictly identified with audio. Many podcasts\nnow appear in video format, viewable via YouTube or other platforms such\nas Spotify. Listeners can choose whether to truly focus on the\nconversation or simply put on earphones while performing other\nactivities.<\/p>\n
A 2026 Snapcart survey of 1,638 respondents shows that podcasts have\nbecome part of the media habits of the Indonesian people, although most\nlisteners do not yet make it a daily activity. Specifically, 43 per cent\nof respondents listen to podcasts less than once a week, 22 per cent\nonce to twice a week, 18 per cent three to four times a week, and 17 per\ncent every day.<\/p>\n
Does the development of podcasts mean that radio is being abandoned?\nIt is not quite that simple.<\/p>\n
One of the strengths of podcasts is the freedom of choice. Listeners\ndo not have to wait for a specific time to follow a programme. Episodes\ncan be played whenever desired and selected based on topics of interest.\nIn the Snapcart survey, 47 per cent of respondents cited the discussion\ntopic as the primary consideration when choosing a podcast, while 33 per\ncent considered the host or guest.<\/p>\n
This provides podcasts with vast potential. Someone who enjoys comedy\ncan find comedy podcasts; those interested in health can choose health\ndiscussions; sports fans can seek football or basketball discussions;\nand horror or true crime enthusiasts can find mystery stories. Some\npodcasts are created specifically for listening, while others are\ndesigned from the outset as video shows.<\/p>\n
The Snapcart survey shows that YouTube and YouTube Music are the most\nused platforms for accessing podcasts, at 76 per cent, while Spotify\nstands at 16 per cent. This means that when people say they are\n\u201clistening to a podcast\u201d, they are not necessarily only listening to\naudio; they may be watching two or more people conversing in a\nstudio.<\/p>\n
The diversity of themes is a key reason for the popularity of\npodcasts. In Indonesia, for example, Deddy Corbuzier\u2019s \u201cClose The Door\u201d\nfeatures conversations on various issues, news, and inspiring stories.\nSimilarly, Raditya Dika\u2019s podcast covers daily life, work,\nrelationships, and personal experiences. Meanwhile, \u201cPODKESMAS\u201d offers\nlighter, comedic talk. These examples demonstrate how programmes can\nblend radio-style talk with video formats.<\/p>\n
This phenomenon is not unique to Indonesia. Globally, podcasts have\nevolved into a diverse industry. Examples include \u201cThe Joe Rogan\nExperience\u201d, which covers entertainment, science, and business; \u201cCall\nHer Daddy\u201d by Alex Cooper, focusing on relationships and mental health;\nand \u201cThe Daily\u201d from The New York Times, which provides in-depth news on\nUS politics and economics. Additionally, \u201cThe Diary of a CEO\u201d with\nSteven Bartlett explores business, psychology, and career\ndevelopment.<\/p>\n
Despite these developments, radio is not going anywhere. However, the\nway people listen to radio has changed. While people once required a\nphysical radio device, many stations now provide streaming via websites,\napplications, YouTube, and other digital platforms. This is evident in\nthe efforts of stations like Prambors, which has brought back its iconic\nsegment, \u201cThe Dandees\u201d, through digital means.<\/p>\n
The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI) noted in 2025 that radio\naudiences are persisting, even though access methods have diversified\nbeyond terrestrial devices. Radio content continues to be enjoyed via\ndigital platforms, as seen in the adaptation efforts of various\nbroadcasting institutions. For instance, RRI is continuously developing\nits digital ecosystem and, as of 2026, has begun expanding podcast\nproduction to Spotify through Voice of Indonesia. In many cases, radio\nis not competing with podcasts but is instead entering the podcast\nworld.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/podcast-vs-radio-which-is-more-relevant-and-popular-today-1791003346", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }