If you’re a podcast fan what’s your view on visual podcasts?
Posted by Proper_Emu_2296@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 31 comments
And for how long do we call them ‘visual podcasts’ when they’re just low budget TV shows at this point?
anonoaw@reddit
I always do audio only, because I pretty much exclusively listen to podcasts when I’m driving.
I get why they do it, because it gives them content for social media. But does strike me as a bit silly because long form video was already a thing.
It does irritate me when podcasts start referring to visual stuff in the actual podcast. Like you are literally an audio medium. Just cos you also record yourself talking doesn’t change that a core chunk of your audience are listening to you, not watching.
NevilleLurcher@reddit
To quote one of the catchphrases from Tim Vine's Chat Show: "It's good, but it's a bit too visual for radio!"
Swimming_Possible_68@reddit
This is exactly right.
Podcasts should not do stuff that only works if you can see it.
Leader_Bee@reddit
I was shocked that Michael and Professor Hannah Fry fell foul of this on their podcast, very educated people that seemed to miss the point of an audio medium when michael apparetly pulled out some trinket and started talking about it.
bahumat42@reddit
I think visual podcasts is fair because the amount of effort put into the visual component is usually significantly lower than it would be fora traditional show.
As for what I think of them, most podcasts I listen to rather than watch. But they can add a layer for people into them.
HanAVFC@reddit
I find it annoying where there call something a podcast when it's a TV show especially when it's on bloody telly. Like the Traitors podcast, it's not a podcast, it's an after show. But I don't mind when it's just filmed like the rest is entertainment is for example.
LongClassroom5@reddit
Pretty much every podcast I will exclusively listen to.
BUT Harry Hills podsarf contains so many visual jokes it would be rude to just listen and not watch the chaos. Licky and Sarah the AI bot would not have the same impact if not seen.
DrH1983@reddit
I find video podcasts frustrating tbh as I like listening when walking. And I like how a good podcast can create good visuals in the minds
I even like some video podcasts but I can't consume them in the same way. They're just YouTube videos at that point
Morganx27@reddit
One podcast I like does video for patreon, there's the odd visual bit but usually they post that as a free clip and often will remind whoever did it "it's a visual medium, let's explain that to the listeners", but to be fair they did that before they ever recorded video.
There's another podcast I like where I couldn't imagine just listening. It's a bit strange, but I find it easier to focus on a video.
Willeth@reddit
Podcasts are an audio medium. I don't know why everyone's so insistent on calling videos "podcasts". They're videos. We had a word for that already.
wardyms@reddit
Annoying. I listen to podcasts when I’m doing things. But I feel I’m missing out when they’re being video.
Laylelo@reddit
Hate them, they’re just budget chat shows at this point.
colin_staples@reddit
I can't watch a video when I'm driving or running
They are not "visual podcasts", they are videos
Call them what they are
And I hate it when people on "visual podcasts" show something and then talk about it for ages, without saying what it bloody well is!!
"I saw this car today"
"Wow that's gorgeous"
Etc
Podcasts are audio-first. The name is a portmanteau of iPod and broadcast. And the term pre-dates the iPod touch.
Audio should be the priority, not an afterthought.
benjjibob@reddit
I normally have the TV on when working or chilling on my laptop. It’s nice background noise, video adds a little something - you can see the dynamics between host and guest but I don’t think anyone is actually actively watching it.
jolittletime@reddit
Audio only for me - i listen on the train or when walking about. My daughter who is 17 doesnt see the point of audio only and watches them all on you tube.
Dennyisthepisslord@reddit
I never watch podcasts.
It makes me angry when audio podcasts pivot to video first.
Who the hell is watching podcasts? People do..but why?!
spoo4brains@reddit
It bugs me more that a lot of YT shows call themselves Podcasts when there is no audio version that can be downloaded with a Podcast app.
They get all snotty when you point it out to them as well.
EmergencyEntrance28@reddit
Podcasts are things I listen to when I'm driving or working. Visualised podcasts don't work for that purpose.
Videos are things I watch when I'm relaxing. Two people sat on sofas talking for a podcast length of time is too long not to be visually engaging, and so visualised podcasts don't work for that purpose.
It's absolutely the worst of both worlds. Very occasionally something works OK (I like the Traitors "visualised podcast" because it's quite short and also uses clips from the show), but most of the time I'd have been much happier with either a normal podcast or a show.
BaBaFiCo@reddit
It winds me up when a podcast starts videoing and then they end up talking about shit I can't see because I'm listening to it in the format they started in.
If it's a podcast it's audio. Fine, film it and put it on YouTube for the money, but not at the expense of listeners.
Suspicious-Rub8976@reddit
What pisses me off the most is when they bring up something visual and say "for our audio listeners" it's a podcast you fucking donkey, you should assume it's a majority of audio listeners
emilesmithbro@reddit
Happens way too often, especially if it’s TV personalities.
People who were always podcast-first rather than TV-first are usually ok, there’s a football podcast I listen to that does data reviews (with charts and graphs) and rewatch+analysis and I can easily follow those with audio-only while driving
phatboi23@reddit
isn't a "visual podcast" just a 2nd monitor youtube video?
podcasts are meant to be audio only as people usually listen to them when doing something else.
DrinkBen1994@reddit
Tf is with this weird backlash against podcasts lately? I like to listen to interesting people being interviewed and nerds talking about history, fuck off?
Swimming_Possible_68@reddit
This question isn't a backlash against podcast's, it's asking people's thoughts on the video elements.
I took love a good history podcast. I put them on in the car, when I'm driving. If my podcast of choice pivoted to being primarlily a visual medium (which some podcasts now are) it simply wouldn't work.
charlies_got_a_gat@reddit
Yeah it annoys me too when they pivot from an audio to video, because its different, in the same way as I enjoy 5live commentary more than tv commentary on sport.
even when they aren't referring to something on screen, it changes the way people speak when they expect you to see for yourself.
WGD23@reddit
Much prefer a youtube vid
Adzx93@reddit
I've tried listening to podcasts audio only, but i don't get any enjoyment. I much prefer visual, seeing the body language, reactions etc.
WitShortage@reddit
Depends on how much visual information there is that I'd miss if I just listened. I watch podcasts while cooking, and I listen to them while I'm driving or on the bus.
CarolDanversFangurl@reddit
I was enjoying a particular podcast then they started banging on about what we were missing if we weren't watching it on YouTube. Now I miss all of it because fuck YouTube, I want something for my ears not my eyes.
yolo_snail@reddit
I like them when I've got a podcast on in the house on the TV.
knight-under-stars@reddit
Whether the podcast is visual or audio only really makes no difference at all to me. In neither scenario am I focussing solely on the podcast, it is always secondary to some other activity. For example:
If I'm playing a chill game like Factorio or Snowrunner then I'll stick visual podcasts on a second screen.
If I'm doing chores or driving I'll listen to an audio podcast.