I enjoy some of the podcasts on the 5by5 Radio network and today they’ve released their own iOS app. But, I don’t quite get it.
Live Broadcasts
The majority of the app’s features tout the “live broadcast” including the ability to listen in to shows live, see the number of live listeners, view the upcoming broadcast schedule, send push notifications for live shows.
I’m sure there are plenty of people that listen live but is that the audience Dan wants to target? Is having an app for the existing most active listeners something you need to provide? (they already love you!)
In my small world, podcasts are typically enjoyed while commuting or on downtime, not during the middle of the workday, live, while chatting with show hosts and other listeners.
Pricing
First, I understand the costs (time, money) it takes to build an application. This is no small undertaking, I’m very much aware. Those costs need to be recuperated.
Then wouldn’t the time have been better invested in an app that introduces new users to the shows for free? A free app would attract more, new listeners, create more prominence, and create yet another avenue to get new fans (App Store versus the Podcast listings in the iTunes Store). Then it would be understood that more listeners means higher premium for advertising on-air. Which, the app itself could then also be subsidized through new advertising inventory (within the app itself) and be freely available for both current and new listeners.
This is now a “niche” app for a “niche” subset of 5by5 fans.
Right? Am I crazy?
For now, I’ll stick to Instacast.
@devinreams I don’t think I’ve *ever* listened to a show live.
@devinreams I agree with your first point. But not the pricing. Bandwidth for live shows is expensive…
@devinreams The app is a part of his business to help with those costs. So I don’t blame him on the cost at all.
The best explanation I’ve heard for the 5by5 app was by Marco Arment, on Build & Analyze: http://5by5.tv/buildanalyze/73
It’s not meant to be a replacement for Instacast. Instead, it’s meant to target that niche subset of 5by5 fans that want a better experience for live listening, since those are the most dedicated fans, and provide the most value to the network. You can already get plenty of great apps for listening to pre-recorded shows, so instead of competing in a crowded marketplace, they picked a target, and developed an app that would be incredibly useful for those that are willing to spend money to suppor the shows, in exchange for an app that will support the way that they prefer to listen and engage.
Sure, I get that. I probably skimmed past the point above where I mention the “niche” subset.
I just wonder if the effort to build the app for a few hundred (maybe its thousands?) loyal listeners is what a podcast community needs?
I, for one, do not feel overly loyal to a network. It’s the shows. If Gruber up and went over to Mule Radio it wouldn’t affect me.
For now I will stick to buying t-shirts to support the network. :)
What did the app need to do then? I would think that an app focused on live listening would be beneficial for bringing more people into the more “active” community. I have a TWiT app that can play the recorded shows, but I never use that feature because I have apps for that.
By the way, wow on your comment about Gruber and Mule Radio days ago.
Free app: schedule of events, play the podcasts. Paid additions: live listening, chat, etc.
I agree. The app is definitely a little goofy. It challenges the current expectations of how podcasts fit into our lives by placing radio-like time constraints… blah blah blah. I think there are some lofty goals of pushing the boundaries of what podcasting and, even, radio can be…
That being said, from the sound of a few of the shows lately, Dan hasn’t been particularly happy with the state of the people who listen live in the chat room – a la, The Jackals. I think he’s trying to build a better social entity around 5by5 and this app is the first stab at that attempt. However, as has already been said, there are preferred means of consuming podcasts whilst mobile; at least as we know podcasts to be right now. So even though I bought the 5by5 app, I’ve already delegated it to a grave folder or deleted it.
As a person who helps businesses build apps, it’s my opinion that this is one case where the MVP-nature of this app is not nearly sticky enough for taking control of the conversation around 5by5’s shows. There aren’t even conversational aspects to the app, obviously, but I believe that controlling, and making more revenue off of, the conversation during a show is the primary business objective of this app.
I’m probably way off – but if I am, there’s a basic question, outside of listening live (kinda lame for a full blown iOS app, imo), of the app’s actual intent and purpose.
Your point about the lessening quality of the chat room is exactly why I sat here thinking: why are you building a mechanism for the die-hard and vocal minority?
I certainly don’t think it’s going to change how we all consume our media (time shifted) anytime soon.
I think it’s also important to remember this is a 1.0. Direct streams will probably come at some point in the future. Plus, I think this is as much a way for people to support the network as anything.
But you’re right in that this is definitely a niche app and that could probably be better explained in the copy.
Disclosure: Dan is my friend, I used to have a show on 5by5 and will likely be appearing again in the future on a regular basis.
Yeah, it’s a pretty solid app and I won’t discount the time and effort that goes into getting anything launched.. shipping is a feature. My order is in for my t-shirt, though. ;)
Looking forward to your next show…
Glad to hear it, Christina!