Radio Jockey vs Podcaster: Meaning, Difference, Skills, Courses to Build a Career

Radio Jockey vs Podcaster: Meaning, Difference, Skills, Courses to Build a Career

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Nupur
Nupur Jain
Senior Executive - Editorial
Updated on Jul 31, 2025 17:03 IST

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.

Difference between a Radio Jockey & a Podcaster

Radio Jockey vs Podcaster

Radio Jockeys vs Podcasters: People have always enjoyed tuning in to the 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. However, in recent years, podcasters have taken over the digital world through their podcast series on different topics. Both of them are a crucial part of the entertainment industry. The basic motive of radio jockeying and podcasting is to connect with the audience through their voices.

Although both RJs and podcasters share the common goal of engaging with listeners, 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.

Read this article to know about radio jockeys and podcasters in detail. Explore the difference between them and get a list of some famous RJs and podcasters in India. Also, know which certificates or diploma courses can help you build a career in both professions.

Table of content
  • 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?

Before diving into the difference between a radio jockey and a podcaster, let's first learn who a radio jockey and a podcaster are. This will help us understand similarities and differences between them.

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.

Also Read:

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 of the major advantages a podcaster has over a radio jockey is global reach for their shows through the 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

A radio jockey and a podcaster are different from one another. Check out the table below to know difference points between them along with examples.

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: Red FM, Fever 104, 91.1

A podcaster shares their work on online platforms.

Example: 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

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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. Some of the popular Indian RJs are:

  1. Neelesh Misra
  2. RJ Naved
  3. RJ Sarthak
  4. RJ Malishka
  5. RJ Archana Pania
  6. RJ Anurag Pandey
  7. RJ Salil Acharya
  8. RJ Mir
  9. RJ Nilam
  10. 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. Some of the famous Indian podcasters include:

  1. Ankur Warikoo
  2. Harsha Bhogle
  3. Kunal Shah
  4. Varun Duggirala
  5. Karishma Mehta
  6. Shantanu Deshpande
  7. Ravi Venkatesan
  8. Jay Shetty
  9. Ranveer Allahbadia
  10. Raj Shamani

Read More:

About the Author
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Nupur Jain
Senior Executive - Editorial
Nupur is an experienced content writer with a specialized focus on Commerce students. Over the past three years, she has crafted engaging and insightful materials to help learners excel in their studies. Outside of Read Full Bio
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