Decentralize TV: Podcasting pioneer Adam Curry discusses how the industry’s power comes from its decentralization

04/07/2024 / By Kevin Hughes

Podcasting’s ability to counter the influence of Big Tech companies like Apple comes from its decentralization and the defense of freedom of speech.

This is according to well-known podcaster Adam Curry, co-host of the “No Agenda Show” podcast, who talked about podcasting’s decentralization and the importance of free speech in this burgeoning industry during the April 2 episode of “Decentralize TV” on Brighteon with hosts Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, and Todd Pinter.

Curry said Apple had been a pretty good steward of podcasting before they colluded with Facebook, Twitter and Google in an overnight Silicon Valley move to oust Alex Jones and several other podcasts such as X22 Report for their so-called conspiracy theories.

“Those podcasts all disappeared from all the apps because it was no longer in Apple’s index,” said Curry. “It doesn’t matter. I believe in free speech, freedom of speech. We are in the United States. I believe in the First [Amendment] and certainly the Second Amendment. Living in Texas, I understand that much better than I ever did.

Curry mentioned that the good part about podcasting is the creation side which he said is completely decentralized.

“There are thousands of podcast hosts. You can set up your own little server anywhere. Put an RSS feed on it, throw your MP3s on it and you’re good to go. But because of the sheer number of podcasts, it’s no longer efficient for that to run on your phone in a single app,” Curry stated. (Related: Brighteon.com founder: The answer to free speech is the “decentralization of everything.”)

The decentralization of podcasting has even led to Curry co-creating his own podcasting index that is free and open for developers as a way to compete with Apple’s ability to capture the podcasting industry and singlehandedly determine what people can and can’t listen to.

He said that aside from filling up their index with every single podcast known to man, the index has also added features that enable people to put in their own features, such as adding different payment systems. This modifiability has also enabled the apps listed to take a percentage and be included in that split.

These independent podcasting indexes have made it exciting for developers because when they come in and contribute they are immediately part of the value-for-value distribution in the index.

“And this has really taken off not just as a concept but as a working model. There are now 65 apps and services that use Podcast Index. And I think there are 15 apps that all do value for value,” Curry said, adding there are now 27 features being implemented by the podcast hosting companies and the app.

The podcasting pioneer cited they are also working completely outside of Apple, Spotify and all the other major podcasting platforms and companies.

He added that while they are growing, people are seeing Spotify, who thought they could come in and take over podcasting by spending billions of dollars and buying a bunch of companies, fail miserably.

Podcasting could become a $200B industry by 2032

Podcasting is already a very lucrative industry to participate in. Some of the most successful industry players, such as Joe Rogan, make hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Others have used their podcasts to reach specific audiences and corner those markets.

Global market research firm The Brainy Insights predicts that podcasting as an industry is about to get even bigger.

The industry, currently estimated to have a net worth of around $19 billion, could be worth as much as $224.3 billion by 2032.

Different segments of the podcasting industry are expected to also grow in value. News and politics, for example, are expected to reach a net worth of $37.19 billion. While interview podcasts like “Decentralize TV” are expected to dominate the market with the most significant revenue share of $43.19 billion.

While Big Tech companies like Apple and audio entertainment-focused companies like Spotify and iHeartMedia are expected to continue being major players, this doesn’t mean that independent creators like Curry, Adams and Pinter won’t be able to enjoy the growth of this industry – thanks in no small part to its decentralization.

Watch the video below to hear Adam Curry’s full interview with “Decentralize TV” hosts Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, and Todd Pinter.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.