Over the past few years the popularity of podcasts has exploded. The term covers a wide range of programs, from interviews and journalism to comedy and storytelling. With the rise of smartphones, many people take their entertainment with them in their pocket these days. Podcast lovers—or those curious about the medium—have reason to rejoice this week, according to niemanlab.org. NPR has developed a new website which does the work of finding the best podcasts for listeners. Earbud.FM is billed as “your friendly guide to great podcasts.”
NPR developed the site in conjunction with an outside panel of some of the most popular and well-regarded podcasters in America. The site also utilized crowdsourcing via a Google survey last spring, bringing in more than 800 different podcast suggestions from more than 6,000 people. This is the first time NPR has entered into the business of recommending a medium for which it is also a market dominator.
