The Infinite Dial Insights & HLS Streaming Explained

In this episode of the New Media Show, hosts Todd Cochrane and Rob Greenlee discuss key insights from the 2025 Infinite Dial report and delve into HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) video streaming.

The episode begins with Todd and Rob introducing the program, noting the late afternoon timing, and discussing the recent activity within the podcasting industry. They acknowledge that while it may not seem eventful externally, significant discussion is happening among industry insiders.

The hosts then segue into a deep dive on the Infinite Dial, mentioning its history as a crucial nationwide survey about media consumption before the podcasting era. They highlight that 91% of people now own smartphones and provide statistics on the increased ownership of smart devices, with Rob commenting on the stable figures across several metrics.

They explore social media usage, revealing substantial percentages of Americans are familiar with various platforms. The hosts discuss the increasing saturation of smartphone and social media usage while noting how these platforms compete for attention. They identify Facebook and Instagram as leading platforms for user awareness and engagement.

Todd and Rob further analyze shifts in audio consumption. Statistics show that 79% of Americans engage in monthly online audio listening. They see a noticeable increase in the older demographic’s online audio consumption like podcasts. The conversation transitions to the differences in brand awareness versus actual usage of audio streaming services.

When discussing podcasting specifically, the hosts note a slight increase in awareness, with 85% of people being aware of podcasts. They also touch on the differences between audio and video podcast consumption, emphasizing the growing video trend as a delivery format.

Rob introduces the topic of HLS streaming and discusses its benefits compared to traditional video delivery methods. They explore potential growth for implementing HLS in the podcasting space and how it might enable podcasters to gain better control over their content distribution.

As they conclude, Todd and Rob reflect on the challenges and costs associated with implementing HLS and maintaining video streams, including the financial implications for creators and hosts in delivering high-quality content.

The episode wraps up with the hosts encouraging listeners to explore the Infinite Dial report and share their thoughts on the current landscape of podcasting and streaming media. They emphasize ongoing inquiries into competition against large platforms and the future of podcasting in both audio and video formats.

Todd and Rob sign off, asserting that they will continue to provide insights into the evolving podcasting industry in future episodes. They remind listeners of their next live show and thank their audience for tuning in.

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