There is both competition and complementarity between radio and podcasts!

Asst. Prof. Duygu Temel Kayar from the Faculty of Communication stated that podcasts offer listeners the opportunity to create their own broadcast flow, adding that the relationship between radio and podcasts cannot be explained solely through competition. Stating that radio stands out with live broadcasts and instant flow, while podcasts stand out with control over listening time and content selection, Asst. Prof. Duygu Temel Kayar said, 'I don't think podcasts will completely replace radio. However, the era when radio was the sole defining medium in the audio content field is coming to an end.'

Asst. Prof. Duygu Temel Kayar from Üsküdar University Faculty of Communication evaluated the impact of podcasts on listening habits, their relationship with radio broadcasting, and the future of audio broadcasting.

Two media respond to different listening needs

Asst. Prof. Duygu Temel Kayar stated that the relationship between radio and podcasts involves both competition and complementarity, saying, 'It is not possible to explain the relationship between radio and podcasts solely through competition. The two media compete for the listener's time and attention in some areas; on-demand listening, in particular, makes podcasts a strong alternative. On the other hand, podcasts draw upon many narrative traditions from radio, and radio content also re-enters circulation as podcasts.'

Expressing that these two media also respond to different needs, Asst. Prof. Duygu Temel Kayar said, 'While radio stands out in terms of live broadcasts and instant flow, podcasts give listeners more control over when and how they consume content. Therefore, it is more accurate to say that today there is both competition and complementarity between radio and podcasts.'

It opens up space for topics that cannot find a place in traditional radio

Asst. Prof. Duygu Temel Kayar stated that podcasts can more easily reach listeners, especially young people and those accustomed to consuming content in digital environments, adding, 'They also open up space for niche topics that don't find much room on traditional radio. Here, the listener doesn't just follow a presented flow; they can choose content according to their own interests. This makes it possible for smaller but truly engaged listener communities to form. In this respect, podcasts open up a new area for listeners who are outside the reach of traditional radio or whom it reaches in a limited way.'

The listener creates their own broadcast flow

Stating that the personalized and time-independent nature of podcasts is changing listening habits, Asst. Prof. Duygu Temel Kayar explained this change as follows: 

'In podcasts, the listener largely creates their own broadcast flow. They decide what to listen to, when to start, and where to continue. This independence from time and space allows podcasts to easily integrate into different moments of daily life. The listener no longer just follows a ready-made broadcast flow; they choose content according to their own time, interest, and need. The ability to listen while walking, commuting, doing housework, or during sports also makes podcasts a natural part of daily life.'

Provides more creative freedom to radio programmers

Stating that podcast broadcasting offers new opportunities for radio programmers, Asst. Prof. Duygu Temel Kayar provided information as follows: 'The world of podcasts opens up new possibilities for radio programmers. Although it shares common production practices with radio, podcasts offer a more independent and flexible space. Broadcasters can act more freely regarding duration, topic, narrative style, and broadcast schedule; they can focus on more niche topics and elaborate on their content without being bound by a specific broadcast flow or format templates. Therefore, it is more accurate to view podcasts not as a threat to traditional radio, but as a field that expands the possibilities of audio broadcasting and provides more creative freedom to the broadcaster.'

Intimacy strengthens the bond with the listener

Emphasizing that intimacy plays an important role in the communication power of podcasts, Asst. Prof. Duygu Temel Kayar said, 'The most important element here is intimacy and its ability to strengthen the bond with the listener. In podcasts, narration is often more natural, conversational, and personal. Over time, the listener begins to recognize the speaker's voice, manner of speaking, jokes, and narrative style. Especially with regular listening, this can create a sense of closeness and trust. The fact that podcasts can be listened to individually and with headphones also enhances this effect; the feeling that the conversation is directed straight to you can be strengthened. Expertise and good storytelling are certainly important, but what differentiates podcasts is their ability to present these in a more personal and intimate communication.'

'The place and function of radio within audio broadcasting will change'

In her assessment of the future of audio broadcasting, Asst. Prof. Duygu Temel Kayar stated that podcasts are also undergoing a transformation, concluding her words as follows:

'I don't think podcasts will completely replace radio. However, the era when radio was the sole defining medium in the audio content field is coming to an end. Listeners are increasingly turning to on-demand content, and podcasts are an important part of this transformation. Moreover, podcasts themselves are changing; video is being added alongside audio, content is being discovered via social media, and circulating in different forms. Therefore, rather than radio disappearing in the future, I believe its place and function within audio broadcasting will change.'