A Radio Program Director's Guide to the Best MMA Podcasts
For a long time I thought the word podcast was a dirty one. I have
spent over a decade in the FM world. In that space, the radio
industry has bred fear into its workers. First it was satellite
radio, then it was HD radio, and then it was the dreadful
“P-word.”
Now everyone knows the word. Heck, if you don’t have a podcast of your own, you probably listen to at least one. Every subject in the world has a podcast dedicated to it. The biggest stigma about podcasting for radio people is that everyone and anyone can create and publish a show about anything. Whether you’re a soccer mom from Kansas City, or a comedian that tours the world, you can share your thoughts and opinions with a few dollars and a trip to any electronics store. While I am not sure if there is a soccer mom podcast, I do know there is a Joe Rogan podcast. Allow me to give you some tips on what to look for when searching for the best MMA podcast or any others worth listening to.
Content is key. While in real estate it’s location, location,
location, in podcasting it’s content cubed. Remember, anyone can do
a podcast. So, why should anyone listen to a certain one? You need
to seek out a show that brings something new to the table. Do you
want a layman’s opinion, or do you want to hear an expert opine
about the subject material you’re interested in? More often than
not you wish to hear someone you respect share their thoughts on
the topics you’re passionate about.
If it’s not the hosts you tune in for, you’re most likely in the market for the latest news or interviews. Podcasts that break news, have insightful interviews, or give fresh takes are the ones worth subscribing to.
Right alongside content on the importance scale is production. Just because anyone can do a podcast doesn’t mean anyone should. Podcasts are like Twitter, it takes a matter of minutes to set up. While people have a lot to say in 140 characters or less, grammar is not paramount. While poor English won’t actually hurt your eyes, terrible production can and will hurt your ears or car stereo should you listen on the go.
As an audiophile, I stress over minute details of production. While it may be a blessing and a curse, I care about about things most listeners will never notice. Podcast production is a lot like good refereeing. If I do a good job, you don’t remember or notice. My belief is that if I produce audio that isn’t good enough for the FM dial, it isn’t good enough to be heard by anyone on the internet. This is why roughly 10 seconds of produced audio takes me around 45 minutes to an hour to complete. Like I said, it’s blessing and a curse.
If you’re looking for the best MMA podcasts out there, I strongly suggest you check out our offerings on the Sherdog Radio Network (sherdog.com/radio). Unlike other podcasts we are an actual radio network. We have multiple shows, live call-ins, up-to-the-minute news and reactions, and interviews with names that make the mixed martial arts world turn.
Like it or not, podcasting is the next evolution of broadcasting. It’s an art form. Just like any other art, there are no real qualifications for who can create. With that said though, there are finger painters and there are artisans. I personally would rather treat my ears to the audio version of Leonardo DaVinci than the static distortion of an auditory Jackson Pollock. But again, both have their place and value.
If you’re looking for help breaking into the podcasting world, and have questions, you can reach out to me directly; shoot me an email at TJDeSantis@sherdog.com.
Now everyone knows the word. Heck, if you don’t have a podcast of your own, you probably listen to at least one. Every subject in the world has a podcast dedicated to it. The biggest stigma about podcasting for radio people is that everyone and anyone can create and publish a show about anything. Whether you’re a soccer mom from Kansas City, or a comedian that tours the world, you can share your thoughts and opinions with a few dollars and a trip to any electronics store. While I am not sure if there is a soccer mom podcast, I do know there is a Joe Rogan podcast. Allow me to give you some tips on what to look for when searching for the best MMA podcast or any others worth listening to.
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If it’s not the hosts you tune in for, you’re most likely in the market for the latest news or interviews. Podcasts that break news, have insightful interviews, or give fresh takes are the ones worth subscribing to.
Right alongside content on the importance scale is production. Just because anyone can do a podcast doesn’t mean anyone should. Podcasts are like Twitter, it takes a matter of minutes to set up. While people have a lot to say in 140 characters or less, grammar is not paramount. While poor English won’t actually hurt your eyes, terrible production can and will hurt your ears or car stereo should you listen on the go.
As an audiophile, I stress over minute details of production. While it may be a blessing and a curse, I care about about things most listeners will never notice. Podcast production is a lot like good refereeing. If I do a good job, you don’t remember or notice. My belief is that if I produce audio that isn’t good enough for the FM dial, it isn’t good enough to be heard by anyone on the internet. This is why roughly 10 seconds of produced audio takes me around 45 minutes to an hour to complete. Like I said, it’s blessing and a curse.
If you’re looking for the best MMA podcasts out there, I strongly suggest you check out our offerings on the Sherdog Radio Network (sherdog.com/radio). Unlike other podcasts we are an actual radio network. We have multiple shows, live call-ins, up-to-the-minute news and reactions, and interviews with names that make the mixed martial arts world turn.
Like it or not, podcasting is the next evolution of broadcasting. It’s an art form. Just like any other art, there are no real qualifications for who can create. With that said though, there are finger painters and there are artisans. I personally would rather treat my ears to the audio version of Leonardo DaVinci than the static distortion of an auditory Jackson Pollock. But again, both have their place and value.
If you’re looking for help breaking into the podcasting world, and have questions, you can reach out to me directly; shoot me an email at TJDeSantis@sherdog.com.
