No Hit Podcasts?! Not Exactly ...

It’s common to hear people say there are “no hit podcasts.”

Of course, this depends on what “hit” means to you. But regardless … who cares?

Are you going to let an opinion of whether something you want to do is a “hit” stop you from doing it?

Podcasters podcast. And podcasting isn’t like traditional media.

The only reason broadcast media has "hits" is because those outlets have a big ass antenna that forces content on people, whether or not they want it. Of course you can't have a "hit" when you compare new media, like podcasting, to old school, broadcast media like television.

Turn on the television and the “hit” is there.

Do people like it? It doesn’t matter—they’ll tolerate it.

What most people won’t do is care enough to turn off what’s in front of them and get online to search for something else—that’s too much work!

Most people lead boring lives and they’re exhausted. And those are the people we count when we calculate "hit" shows.

Why? Because vanity metrics make us feel good.

We do it as podcasters too—we count "downloads" instead of people. But just because you get a download for your podcast doesn't mean there’s a person listening at the other end.

A serious question ...

How many of those 100,000 channels included with your cable subscription do you really want?

And do you really want the "popular" channels and shows?

Probably not. But most people watch them anyway … if a show (or channel) is there.

Whatever Happened to That Guy on FOX?

What happens to people like Bill O'Reilly once they leave broadcast radio and television?

They disappear. Then some other guy comes along, takes the top slot, and now he's #1.

The slot is why so many people watched Tucker Carlson on FOX—it wasn’t because he was good.

The same thing happened when Joe Rogan moved his show to Spotify and, initially, it was no longer available on YouTube. He lost influence and listeners because he no longer had YouTube to recommend/push his videos.

Podcasting attracts a quality audience, not necessarily a quantity one.

But don't feel bad for Joe Rogan! He got paid a ton of money and still has massive influence.

Unlike Bill O'Reilly. Womp womp.

People listen to podcasts because, to them, podcasts (and podcasters) are great and worth seeking out. But if you want an ego stroke with a bunch of sleepwalking people who will consume anything put in front of them (and not really care), go to broadcast and enjoy your "hit."