Can a Video be a Podcast? The Unstoppable Rise of Video in Podcasting

·44 min·4 clips

Harry argues a podcast is whatever the consumer calls it, challenging traditional RSS feed definitions.

This episode of the Podcast Book Club from Lower Street debates the definition of a podcast in the age of video, using the H3 Podcast as a primary case study. Host Jackie leads a discussion with Lower Street team members Harry, Sam, and Erin, who all work in professional podcast production. They examine whether video-first or live-streamed content can truly be considered a podcast. The conversation begins with each participant sharing their personal definition of a podcast, ranging from "audio storytelling" to "lean-back, on-demand audio." The group references industry figures like Tom Webster of Sounds Profitable and "Podfather" Adam Curry, who criticizes YouTube's efforts to incentivize video podcasts as a "hijack of the term." They contrast this with perspectives from agencies like YAP Media, which view podcasts as multi-platform campaigns. The H3 Podcast, hosted by Ethan Klein, is analyzed as a show that began in 2016, moved from Twitch to YouTube, and now produces daily three-hour live streams. Another example discussed is an interview-based video podcast by creator Ali Abdaal. A key insight is that the H3 Podcast often includes visual references and sound effects that make the audio-only experience incomprehensible for a passive listener. The team observes that live-streaming lowers the audience's expectation for tightly edited content, creating a "hangout" feeling that builds community. They note a perceived decline in the host's energy over the years, contrasting earlier, more animated clips with the current, more sardonic delivery. The discussion reveals that while the show doesn't chart on traditional podcast rankings, it has been nominated for multiple Streamy Awards. An interesting claim is that hearing someone cry in an audio interview can be more emotionally impactful than seeing it on video, as audio engages the "theater of the mind." The team debates whether adding video inherently makes content production more complex and costly, potentially losing podcasting's low-barrier, DIY ethos. They also consider if being on camera creates a performative adrenaline rush that might diminish authenticity compared to audio-only recording. A surprising moment is when Sam, a former YouTuber, reveals that YouTube has a history of trying to redefine terms—like "streaming platform"—to position itself centrally in a market. The tone is a conversational and analytical debate among industry professionals, balancing purist perspectives with pragmatic observations about audience behavior. The style is educational, dissecting format evolution while referencing specific shows, creators, and industry newsletters. This episode would appeal to podcast creators, marketers, and media analysts interested in format definitions, platform strategy, and the business of content evolution. Listeners seeking a firm stance or those with no interest in industry "inside baseball" discussions might choose to skip it.

As heard by us

A clear debate about whether video enriches podcasting or narrows the imagination.

The episode takes a familiar podcast format and uses the H3 Podcast as a useful case study: a show that started in 2016 on Twitch and moved to YouTube in 2017.

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Why you'd press play

For when you want a smart argument about whether video helps or hurts podcasting, using the H3 Podcast as the case study.

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