When iTunes 4.9 was released a few months ago (yes, this is a very belated post), it finally included support for download and playback of Podcasts. With this new method of delivery, so it became important for podcasters to supply album artwork that would be displayed in the application and throughout the iTunes Music Store.
BBC
Looking through the Podcast Directory on iTunes, it seems this is something (both commercial and independent) podcasters have spent a lot of time on perfecting. What really impressed me however is how the BBC has embraced this new technology, and their album artwork reflects this.
With a ‘Radio to Go’ sub-brand and a consistent yet flexible template that can be applied across a wide range of podcasts, they have managed to successfully pull together it’s many different radio (network and programme) brands.
Examples of BBC podcast artwork
Of course for such a large organisation not to slap it’s branding across all its output would be unheard of, but I think the execution has been brilliantly handled. Add to this the release of their own BBC Radio widget for the Mac OS X dashboard, and you have two more reasons to add to a long list of reasons, why the BBC should have it’s Royal Charter renewed next year.
Inside Mac Radio
In July, I took part in a competition run by Inside Mac Radio, the premier Mac News podcast to design a new logo. Sadly I did not win, but it was sure fun taking part. So as I finally get round to bloging about all things podcast, I thought I would share with you my design, as well as the final design that was chosen.
My entry (left) and the final design (right)
Favourite Podcasts
As a final thought, and I’m sure to be of much discussion, favourite podcasts? I’ll pre-empt the comment(s) and predict that Jon will post a comment about Andy Grace’s podcast. Having subscribed to this for a week or so, I must say that I soon became bored with this one, and it is now deleted from my podcast list. I am keen to hear some other recommendations though.
For me, the only podcast I have stayed subscribed to is Mark Kermode’s Film Reviews from BBC Radio Five Live. I have experimented with a few others - Inside Mac, Iain Lee, Go Digital, but I’m finding it hard to find a podcast that I find as useful, informative and entertaining as this.
Whilst perhaps it isn’t a true podcast (more timeshifted audio), this just proves to be another great use for podcasting. In this respect, how long will it be before we can download Jonathan Ross podcasts from Radio 2?
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Comments
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I must say that I like your design for the inside mac logo much better than the one that won! But there's no accounting for taste I guess.
As for the whole podcast thing in general, I'm pretty bored with the whole thing already. It just takes time away from music which, lets face it, is the whole point of an iPod anyway. Who want's to listen to someone wittering on? Especially about techie things... yawn.