A The podcast began in the early 2000s as a way for listeners to download radio-style programmes to portable music players.
B Growth was slow at first. The real turning point came when smartphones made it easy to listen anywhere. A popular crime series later showed that podcasts could attract millions of listeners.
C Unlike radio, podcasts are not tied to a schedule. Listeners choose when to listen, and many play episodes while commuting or exercising.
D Producers value the medium because it is cheap to make. A good microphone and editing software are often enough to start. However, this also means that competition is intense.
E Making money remains difficult. Most podcasts earn little from advertising, and many creators rely on listener donations. Some large companies now pay well-known hosts to release shows exclusively on their platforms.