Podcast Analysis

Song Exploder Podcast

Runtime:
17:29

Presenter(s):
Hrishikesh Hirway

Context:
The podcast Song Exploder was established on the 1st of January 2014. From there they
have made 200 episodes on breaking down popular artists' songs ranging from Billie Eilish,
to Dua Lipa and various others. Since launch the podcast has been independent meaning
that it is not a big corporation. Throughout the years that the podcast has been running they
have won multiple awards such as the Academy of podcasters and the IHeartRadio Podcast
Awards. Due to the success of the podcast Netflix hosted a show based on the podcast
starting in September 2020.

Target audience:
The Song Exploder podcast is intended to intrigue a wide range of people from music
producers to music lovers. It also targets a wide range of people of all ages so more people
can be enticed into watching another podcast. It has different music producers and a range
of songs from different time periods. For example, in one of the earlier episodes song
exploder features House Of Cards (Released in 2007) and the more new and up to date
songs such as Hung Up by Madonna. It has a wide range of songs and artists so it can
entice a wider range of listeners and music fans. They introduce the podcast and the artist
on that episode so people

Genre:
The genre is clearly music signified to the audience by the title ‘Song Exploder’ This is
further reinforced as Intro and heading use are very clearly targeted towards a music
demographic. In addition, there is a strong use of music being played throughout the podcast
as the song slowly builds up when the artist goes through it. Not to mention there is a full
playthrough of the song at the end of the podcast.

Structure:
The structure of the podcast is clearly in the form of an interview. Although it is formal, it is
also a conversational podcast meaning it does not feel like an interview, instead feels like a
friendly conversation. The interview is also in a Linear order meaning that it is carefully put in
order so it makes sense at all times. In addition, the podcast is ordered into 4 sections
(Intro/interview/song-breakdown/outro)
Style of presentation:
The style of the presentation is definitely formal and factual but is also very
conversational.This means that it is scripted in certain parts. There are segments where the
podcast is almost like an interview where the interviewer asks questions targeted towards
Dua lipa to get a longer and more exciting answer.

Music:
Throughout the podcast, there are multiple different types of music being used. They put the
full song at the end of the podcast for people to listen to. The music fades in and out during
the dialogue to ensure that the audience hears everything that is being said. In addition in
between breaks they will put segments of the song with the lyrics when people are not
talking to further engage the audience.

Representation:
The Song Exploder podcast represents the artist and how they like to write and develop their
song. It also shows the viewer the artist's perspective and personality as the song analysis
goes on. They do this by adding little bits of background information such as why the song
was named like it is, the artist's interests and relations to the song itself. Dua Lipa is
represented as a role model to the younger generation through her music and is represented
as a friendly person. She also clearly had a passion for her music. The musicians are also
represented as passionate and friendly as they bounce off Dua Lipa giving ideas to further
improve the song.

Themes:,
The theme of the song exploder podcast is clearly music as it appeals to the music
audience. It also is very conversational meaning that people who listen to it may feel a
‘friendly vibe’ therefore enticing them to listen. In addition another theme that I noticed was
how it was appealing to people who liked the artist.

Key features:
Song Exploder is a podcast where musicians take apart their songs, and piece by piece, tell
the story of how they were made. Each episode features an artist discussing a song of
theirs, breaking down the sounds and ideas that went into the writing and recording. Hosted
and produced by Hrishikesh Hirway.
Serial Podcast

Runtime:
53:07

Presenter(s):
Sarah Koenig

Context: The true crime podcast created in October of 2014 was hosted by Sarah Koenig.
Diving deep into the true crime genre Sarah Serial was honoured with a Peabody award in
April 2015, noting that it took podcasting into the cultural mainstream. A high-school senior
named Hae Min Lee disappeared one day after school in 1999, in Baltimore County,
Maryland. A month later, her body was found in a city park. She'd been strangled.
Her 17-year-old ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, was arrested for the crime, and within a
year, he was sentenced to life in prison.

Target audience:
The serial podcast is for people who like crime, true crime, Journalism, and storytelling. This
targets a wide range of people who enjoy True crime, it also appeals to all ages as it is non
age specific meaning people from as young as 16-80+ will enjoy the podcast. It also is non
gender specific meaning it will entice both genders. It has a lot of different episodes meaning
there are alot of different stories being told meaning that there is something for everyone.

Genre:
The Serial podcast has a clear indication of its genre being a true crime podcast. But
also it has a longer name of ‘’Investigative journalism serialised audio narrative’’.
This subgenre suggests that it is multiple genres all in one as it applies to
Investigative, journalists and serialised audio narrative. The serial podcast is told in a
narrative format but also gives investigative details about the crimes being
committed.

Structure:
The structure of the podcast is in a scripted and storytelling format. It is split into
multiple sections introducing the narrator then interviewing the people and telling the
story before finally doing the outro. In addition the podcast is more of a story rather
than an interview or chat fest meaning that it is not conversational. In addition the
podcast can be classified as an interview format as there are segments where the
person is interviewing suspects and witnesses. In addition, the interview is also in a
Linear order meaning that it is carefully put in order so it makes sense at all times.

Style of presentation:
The style of presentation is definitely formal, this means that it is typically scripted as
the Narrator talks in a precise and formal manner. The narrator tells the story and
also drops segments where there are some interviews being held with the people
involved with the crimes such as the witnesses. This is definitely not a conversational
podcast as there is storytelling and facts only.

Music:
Throughout the podcast there isn't a lot of music compared to song exploder.
Theppodcast ha more instrumental music as there is a lot of talking therefore
meaning that it does not distract the listener from what is being said in the podcast.
The music is quite tense and distressing as the key moments and build up in the
podcast emerge therefore linking the dark and quite unsettling theme of the ‘true
crime’ podcast.

Representation:
The serial podcast is a True Crime podcast meaning that narrator is representing the
people involved (need help)

Theme:
The podcast is in the format of a documentary and a story meaning that the podcast
fits in well with the ‘’true crime’’ theme. The podcast also explains the details of the
crime that happened this tells me that the podcasts

Key Features:
Serial is a podcast from the creators of This American Life, hosted by Sarah Koenig.
Serial tells one story — a true story — over the course of a season. Serial has won
every major award for broadcasting, including the duPont-Columbia, Scripps
Howard, Edward R. Murrow, and the first-ever Peabody awarded to a podcast.

Football Daily. Lionel Messi: The story of a football great

Runtime:
48:13

Presenter(s)
Guillem Balagué

Context:
In a special documentary, Guillem Balagué looks at how Lionel Messi became one of
the world’s greatest players, hearing from teammates and opponents from his
extraordinary career. He examines Messi’s struggles to win an international trophy –
till Qatar 2022 with Argentina, the inevitable comparisons with Diego Maradona, how
he came to dominate at club level with Barcelona.
Target audience:
The target audience of the podcast is very varied. Messi winning the world cup was a
very historic event for football fans, therefore the podcast appeals to Messi and his
fans as they almost idolise him as a player and are very enticed into his history and
how he became who he is today. The podcast also appeals to all ages as people
who simply enjoy football are attracted to football as Messi is a world known player
and people who support his team may be attracted to the podcast as he is one of the
key players who people support.

Genre:
The Football daily podcast is clearly in the sports Genre as the sport of football is
very popular and has a wide demographic. In addition it has a sub genre of history
as people who supported Messi want to learn more about him and how he :risen to
fame through football.

Structure:
The podcast begins with a sponsorship and then brings into the introduction where
the host beggins to introduce themself and the person being talked about (Lionne
Messi) Then there is a section where he introduces Messi and his achievements in
football. The podcast begins with Vox Pops before going on to talk about the main
focus of the podcast being how Messi's career and origin story. Then the podcast
ends with a outroduction.

Style of presentation:
The style of presentation is definitely formal, this means that it is typically scripted as
the Narrator talks in a precise and formal manner. The narrator further tells Lione
Messi's career and his upcoming to become the best football player in the world this
tells me that the podcast is informative and factual. Although there is bias as the host
believes he is the best player on the planet along with the guests that he invited onto
the podcast.

Music:
At the beginning of the podcast there is introduction music prior to when the host
begins to talk. But when he starts the music fades out to the point where you can just
about hear it so it does not distract the listener. Then there are sound effects of
cheers as the stadium witnesses Messi's peak career game of the world cup. All
music on the podcast is instrumental.

Theme:
The theme of the podcast is focus on Lionne Messi and football. The podcast dives
deep into his life story and how he became the household name and all time great of
football like he is today. The podcast also goes through key points of his life and the
games that he had played to get to that pivotal moment.
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