Radio Jockey vs Podcaster: Meaning, Difference, Skills, Courses to Build a Career
Want to enter in audio entertainment industry but don’t know whether to become a radio jockey or a podcaster? Read this article to know who radio jockeys and podcasters are, and how they are different, to make a decision. Find a list of some famous RJs & Podcasters of India.
Radio Jockey vs Podcaster
People have always enjoyed tuning in to radio shows for music, witty banter or daily news. RJs have always been a good companion for people during their commute or long night hours. But, in recent years, podcasters have taken over digital world through their podcast series on different topics. Both are an important part of entertainment industry. The basic motive of radio jockeying and podcasting is to connect with audience through their voices.
Both RJs and podcasters share the common goal of engaging with listeners, but their way of creating and presenting content is different. Each of them requires some unique skills and uses different platforms to deliver their content. While radio jockeys broadcast live on traditional radio waves, podcasters stream their shows online on digital platforms.
- Who is a Radio Jockey and a Podcaster?
- Difference between a Radio Jockey and a Podcaster
- Certificate & Diploma Courses for Radio Jockeying
- Certificate & Diploma Courses for Podcasting
- Famous Radio Jockeys in India
- Famous Podcasters in India
Who is a Radio Jockey and a Podcaster?
Learn about radio jockey and podcaster here.
Radio Jockey (RJ)
A person who hosts live shows on FM or AM radio is known as a Radio Jockey or RJ. Their job description includes informing, entertaining, and engaging the listeners through news, updates, interviews, music, games, quizzes, or talk segments. The recipe for a successful radio jockey is excellent communication skills, a sense of humor, confidence, current events knowledge, storytelling skills, quick thinking, and voice modulation.
People interested in becoming a radio jockey have to get a degree in radio jockeying through certification or diploma courses. There are different types of radio jockeys, including an announcer, FM/AM radio jockey, talk radio jockey, music director, and sports talk radio jockey. Some of famous radio shows include Radio Mirchi, Big FM, FM Radio City, Fever 104, All India Radio, etc.
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Podcaster
A podcaster is a person who creates and publishes audio and/or video content on different online platforms, including Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, etc. They release their content in the form of different episodes called podcasts. A podcaster usually presents on topics related to finance, crime, psychology, interviews, stories, entertainment, business, etc.
Becoming a podcaster also requires a certificate or a diploma in podcasting. One major advantage a podcaster has over a radio jockey is global reach for their shows through internet. To become a successful podcaster, one must be creative, consistent, knowledgeable of the subject, have digital marketing, communication skills & research skills, and have a clear voice.
Difference between a Radio Jockey and a Podcaster
| Basis |
Radio Jockey |
Podcaster |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning |
A person who hosts live shows on FM/AM radio by playing music, interacting with listeners, and sharing entertainment & other news with them, |
A person who creates and shares audio and/or video episodes online on different topics. |
| Platform |
A radio jockey works at a radio station FM/AM. Example are Red FM, Fever 104, 91.1 |
A podcaster shares their work on online platforms. Example are Spotify, YouTube, Apple Podcasts |
| Live or Recorded |
A radio show is usually live with minimal editing. |
A podcast is usually pre-recorded with high editing. |
| Audience Interaction |
Radio Jockeys interact with audience in real time through SMS or live calls. |
Podcasters interact with the audience through comments, social media, feedbacks, and emails. |
| Duration |
A radio show is hosted regularly or on specific days for a fixed time. |
A podcast can be long or short. |
| Creative Control |
Radio Jockeys have limited control over creativity as they have to follow the station rules & schedule. |
Podcasters have complete freedom over content creativity. |
| Reach |
Radio shows are limited to local or regional areas only as they require FM/AM signals. |
Podcasts have a global reach as they require internet access. |
| Revenue Source |
Radio Jockeys are employees of radio stations and get a salary in return for their work. |
Podcasters earn revenue via Ads, Sponsorships, Paid Subscriptions, Donations, etc. |
| Rules & Regulations |
A radio jockey has to follow the broadcast laws, such as the AIR code in India, etc. |
A podcaster has to follow the rules & regulations of the online platform they are using for their shows. |
| Topics Include |
Radio shows can be on music, weather, entertainment, traffic, local news, etc. |
Podcasts can be on business, mythology, tech, finance, crime, storytelling, psychology, etc. |
| Example |
RJ Naved, RJ Malishka, etc. |
Jay Shetty, Raj Shamani, etc. |
Also Read: How to Become an RJ?
Certificate & Diploma Courses for Radio Jockeying
Below are some of the most popular certificate and diploma courses, one can pursue to become a radio jockey.
| Radio Jockeying Certificate Course |
Radio Jockeying Diploma Courses |
|---|---|
| Certificate in Announcing, Broadcasting, Compering and Dubbing |
Diploma in Electronic Media (RJ/VJ) |
| Certificate Course in Radio Jockeying |
PG Diploma in Television and Radio Journalism/ Production |
| Certificate in Community Radio |
Diploma in Professional RJ & Radio Management |
| Certificate in Radio Jockeying Essentials |
Diploma in Radio Programming & Broadcast Management |
| - |
Diploma in Radio Production & Radio Jockeying |
Certificate & Diploma Courses for Podcasting
The table below includes some of the top certificate and diploma courses required to become a podcaster.
| Podcasting Certificate Course |
Podcasting Diploma Courses |
|---|---|
| Certificate in Audio Storytelling and Podcasting | Diploma in Radio Jockeying, Anchoring, & Podcasting |
| Certificate in Voice-over and Podcasting | Advanced Diploma in Radio Jockeying and Podcasting |
| Radio Podcasting Certification | Diploma in Radio and Podcasting |
| Certificate in Podcast and Vodcast | PG Diploma in Audio Programme Production |
Famous Radio Jockeys in India
Every city in India has its own radio channel with its own radio jockeys. Some of these radio jockeys have created their name and fame throughout the country. These are some most popular RJs in India.
- Neelesh Misra
- RJ Naved
- RJ Sarthak
- RJ Malishka
- RJ Archana Pania
- RJ Anurag Pandey
- RJ Salil Acharya
- RJ Mir
- RJ Nilam
- RJ Neil
Famous Podcasters in India
Podcasts are gaining a lot of attention and audience these days. People prefer following a podcast series of their choice. These are the famous Indian podcasters.
- Ankur Warikoo
- Harsha Bhogle
- Kunal Shah
- Varun Duggirala
- Karishma Mehta
- Shantanu Deshpande
- Ravi Venkatesan
- Jay Shetty
- Ranveer Allahbadia
- Raj Shamani
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