Why Podcast Might Soon Be a Thing of the Past

In 2025, the term "podcast" is becoming as outdated as a flip phone. With almost every major podcast now featuring a video component, the lines between podcasts and TV shows are blurring.

The Blurring Lines

Take Seth Meyers' "A Closer Look" for example. Last year, one might argue that this is just a TV show clip. But now, with shows like "Good Hang with Amy Poehler" and "Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard" topping Spotify's charts, the difference is almost nonexistent.

Scroll through YouTube's Podcast tab, and you'll find:

• Late-night talk show interviews
• Host-driven video essays
• Food reviews
• Cable news segments

This is a far cry from what we used to consider podcasts: narrative audio journalism and roundtable discussions. So, why not just call them what they are—shows?

The Power of the Word "Show"

The word "show" is more marketable. It's easier to pitch to advertisers and fans alike. Hosts are already dropping the term "podcast" in favor of "show".

• Adam Friedland, for instance, corrects his guests when they call his program a podcast, insisting it's a talk show.
• Even the sign-off is changing from "Find us wherever you get podcasts" to the more YouTube-friendly "like-and-subscribe."

The Shift in Consumption

This shift isn't just about semantics. It's about where these shows are being consumed.

• YouTube and Netflix are becoming the new hubs for podcast shows.
• YouTube alone boasts over a billion viewers tuning in to podcasts every month.
• Netflix is also jumping on the bandwagon, developing its own shows and collaborating with major networks.

The Future of Audio-Only Podcasts

But what about audio-only podcasts? They're not going away entirely.

• People still listen to podcasts while driving or at home.
• However, these are likely to be more independently run shows.
• Media companies will still release audio versions of their video shows, but they won't be the main focus.

The End of the Term "Podcast"?

So, is the term "podcast" on its way out? It seems so. In the future, we might not be recommending our favorite podcasts to friends, but instead, something we "watched on TV."