Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Podcast masters
We round up the top shows available to download
MORE and more of us are switching off our radios and plugging into a podcast.
The range of dramas, comedies and sports shows is so diverse, there are 250,000 in more than 100 languages on itunes alone.
A podcast is a digital audio file which can be downloaded to a computer, tablet or smartphone.
Alex Adey of podcast platform audioboom, which has 60 million listeners a month, said their spike in popularity is due to older generations becoming more tech-savvy.
She said: “Most people listen on smartphones, which more people of a variety of ages now own. You can listen to them while doing other things, anywhere, and the breadth of choice means you can listen to exactly what you what.
“Podcasts are essentially cheap, usually free, on-demand radio.” Here are some of the best ones.
SERIAL
Series one of this true crime series, hosted by US journalist Sarah Koenig, probes the 1999 murder of Hae Min Lee, 18, and conviction of her ex, Adnan Masud Syed. It became the fastest podcast to hit five million downloads. A judge later ordered a new trial for Syed.
Series two follows the case of US Army sergeant Bowe Bergdahl, held for five years by the Taliban and then charged with desertion.
DESERT ISLAND DISCS
Lose yourself in the Radio 4 show’s 75-year catalogue, back to the 1950s when host Roy Plomley talked to the likes of film director Alfred Hitchcock.
Alex from audioboom said the series, the 10th most popular on itunes yesterday, shows famous radio shows can be “transported everywhere, anytime” by podcasts.
FLINTOFF, SAVAGE AND THE PING PONG GUY
Sports fans can get their weekly fix with this show, featuring Andrew Flintoff, Mirror columnist Robbie Savage and table tennis player turned journalist Matthew Syed. Their banter has earned rave reviews since the BBC Radio 5 live podcast began earlier this year.
NO SUCH THING AS A FISH
BBC2’S QI team discuss their fave facts of the week. It’s been a hit since its 2014 launch, after QI producers realised there were too many facts to fit into the TV show.
KERMODE AND MAYO’S FILM REVIEW
Radio host Simon Mayo and film critic Mark Kermode make an engaging duo on Radio 5 live, boasting movie star guests such as Michael Sheen and Jason Isaacs.
The successful radio programme is now available in podcast form.
DAN SNOW’S HISTORY HIT
History geeks will love this vast collection of major anniversaries and reports from weird and wonderful places around the world and throughout time.
They include tales from death row, the First World War, general election and Egyptian mummies.
RICKY GERVAIS
The comedian has a range of comedy podcasts from 2005 when he, Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington moved their XFM radio show to the free download service.
He is back with Ricky Gervais is Deadly Sirius, mixing humour with politics, science and religion.
NHS COUCH TO 5K
This popular fitness podcast is a nine-week, beginners’ r unnin g plan. It starts with a brisk fiveminute walk, alternating 60 seconds’ running and 90 seconds’ walking, building to a 30-minute, three-mile run. Find it on itunes or www.nhs.uk/ Livewell/c25k.
MY DAD WROTE A PORNO
TV writer Jamie Morton’s dad wrote an erotic novel and Jamie, left, turned it into a comedy podcast. It has been downloaded 80 million times since 2015. The three series – the third is airing – consist of Jamie reading a new chapter as his mates provide commentary.
MOTIVATE YOURSELF
Hypnotherapist Richard Nicholls’s advice has become the most popular health podcast on itunes. He reacts to news events to help listeners overcome their demons.