Look at what’s in my iTunes window. They’ve finally embraced the digital age down in Ambridge. The long-running daily radio drama has always been a perfect candidate for podcast episodes, as only being around 13 minutes in length, each programme can be caught up on quickly, whenever there is a free gap in the day.
It’s certainly revolutionised my listening this week. Before, the daily tales of David, Ruth, Lynda, and the other folk in Ambridge and the surrounding fictional villages were available on my MP3 player, I had to rely on either setting up a record function on my Freeview receiver (on which a good reception can never be guaranteed); catching it on the BBC’s Radio Player; or just hearing it ‘live’ at 7pm each evening.
Of course, it also gets around the problem of having a full recordable SD card in a digital radio, which resolutely refuses to record anything unless some free space is made on it. Although arguably, when this works, it is just as convenient. So, not only is The Archers podcast itself much more convenient than most other ways of hearing the drama, but it’s also very good quality, with all the trails and snippets from shows which top and tail it on the BBC Radio Player version of the programme taken off.
Listeners can also choose whether they would like to subscribe a daily feed, or just download to their computer as and when they have missed an episode. It can then be popped onto your MP3 player of choice, and you can catch up wherever you are.
I’m surprised it’s taken The Archers production team this long to realise the benefits of the digital age. But then, they are a steadfast and old-fashioned lot down in Borsetshire. And of course, it also begs the question as to if the podcast will attract new and younger listeners. It was certainly slipped quietly onto the The Archers website, with very little fanfare, and can also be found on the BBC Radio 4 podcasts page, alongside other listener favourites such as Broadcasting House, You and Yours, and Front Row.
No matter, though, as it’s finally here. But, whatever next? Will Lynda be taking bookings for the Ambridge Hall B&B over the internet; will Tom sell his Gourmet Grills online; or will David and Ruth’s cows at Brookfield Farm wear MP3 players to further boost their increasing milk yields?
