Prior to the presentation on Podcasting I did not know much about what was considered as a podcast. I saw the application on my phone and have heard about it from my favorite YouTubers yet I was unsure of what a podcast actually was.  Podcasting is a mixture of broadcasting and ipod, the device from apple. It is often an audio file that is downloadable to any device like an ipod,phone, tablet or computer. During the presentation themes arose to showcase the benefits of podcasting but also the social issues that come with podcasting. Some benefits that come with podcasting is the fact that you can now listen to podcast anywhere and every device. As a listener you have the opportunity to multitask since a podcast is all audio based, except for some who use videos.  A listener will not have to miss out on any information whatsoever. As a broadcaster, you have the opportunity to broadcast to for free, and be able to speak about whatever you would like.

As far as some issues are concerned there are quite a few. One issue is that of gender. The group mentioned that in the world of podcast women are not in the same league as men. Although there are many women who do broadcast and seem to have a fan base, overall men are seen and ranked at a better rate. Another issue in the world of podcasting is race. In the article, “The Podcast ‘‘Chitlin’ Circuit’’: Black Podcasters, Alternative Media, and Audio Enclaves” by Sarah Florini she explores this issue.  She states, “In the years since 2011, Black podcasting has flourished, and a vibrant network1 of Black podcasters, some of whom refer to themselves as the ‘‘Chiltin’ Circuit’’ or ‘‘urban podcasters,’’ has grown from half-a-dozen into hundreds” (pg 210).  

She makes clear in her article that it was not an easy road, and it is still a work in progress as to evening the playing field in the white male dominated industry.  Another issue mentioned during the presentation was that of profit in the podcast industry. Podcasting is free to listen to and most podcasters do not profit. The only way to profit is through advertisements or what some podcasters do which is ask listeners to pay for old podcast. In conclusion, the podcasting industry seems to have a lot of good and a lot of bad. Yet there is no denying that it will only continue to strive and hopefully the gaps between race and gender.

As a Communications major the topic on the future of television spoke to me the most. The discussion on television focused on my different aspects of not only the past but the future. Television was once used as a family pass time and was only to be viewed on one screen. Now there are many other outlets to view your favorite shows and many other reasons to be viewing.  There are also other things to watch other than television shows.  With technology constantly evolving, television has to keep moving as well. You can view your favorite television shows online, on your phone, tablet or ipad. With the advancement of technology some have questioned if television is doomed to become extinct in the future. Yet with further analysis I hope to prove other wise. I believe that television does not have an expiration date, if there is any expiration date it is on the actual television box.

  One of the main focuses during this week of television discussion is the involvement of the internet. Now you can view your favorite television shows on sites like hulu, netflix and in some cases even YouTube. The opportunity to use the internet  as place to release television content and even your own content is revolutionary. The fact alone that you can create and distribute your own content for free is a main reason why some might perceive a possible end to television. One online outlet that is used the most is YouTube. YouTube went from posting videos, to creating jobs and opportunities. By posting on YouTube you are able to reach many different people. If you becoming popular enough, you receive money for views, endorsements and more. Along with that, it has been the avenue for some famous singers. Next there is netflix, that not only is cheaper than having a cable subscription but has binge worthy content. Since its popularity or websites, like amazon and hulu have been inspired to produce their own content. This although to some may seem to be a reason why television should die it is actually not. Broadcast television has many loyal fans and original content. One thing that is going to be affected however, cable subscriptions could be declining. Older generations are loyal to broadcast television, yet the new generations are not willing to spend so much on cable. Overall, I believe that the future of television shows and content is going to thrive regardless of the influence of the internet, in fact the internet might be the main reason for it staying alive.