The Ghosts of Podcasts Past: Proof Great Podcasts Never Die

Over the past fifteen-plus years, podcasts have become an increasingly popular medium for consuming content. And while many podcasts have stopped producing episodes (some prematurely, ie; podfading), their impact can still be felt years later.

Why?

The long-term reach of podcasting is attributed to its ability to create a dedicated and engaged audience and archive content that can be accessed at any time.

For example, the long-term reach of podcasts can be seen in the success of shows such as Serial. This podcast hasn’t produced new episodes in some time but it still has avid listeners who discovered the show and its backlogs of episodes long after they have stopped producing content.

Personally, I’ve seen this with the Living in Las Vegas podcast. 

It’s (Still) Alive!!

I hosted LILV from January 2006 until September 3, 2019.  At our peak, we were seeing upwards of 10,000 podcast downloads a week.  While I was checking the analytics of a client’s podcast, I was curious; I wondered if anybody was still listening (or watching) Living in Las Vegas.

The answer is. . .YES.  In the last 30 days, there have been 315 listens and 252 views on YouTube.  That’s over 560 audience connections in the last 30 days. 

Pretty cool. Especially for a podcast that hasn’t produced new content for over three and a half years.

It’s More Than Downloads

Another way in which podcasts have a long-term reach is through their ability to create a community of listeners who connect with one another through shared interests and values. Podcasts often have active social media communities and online forums, which allow listeners to discuss episodes and topics related to the show, even if it has stopped producing new content. This sense of community can continue long after the podcast has ended, creating lasting relationships among listeners.

For my wife and I, two of our best friends, who happen to live in another country, met us through our podcast.

The long-term reach of podcasts, even those that have stopped producing content, is a testament to the medium’s power. Podcasts have the ability to create engaged audiences, archive content, and foster communities that can last long after the show has ended. As the popularity of podcasts continues to grow, it is likely that we will continue to see the long-term impact of podcasts on culture and society.