KCRW Sees Big Jump in Podcast Listening Thanks to iTunes

The newest Apple iTunes service is helping at least one radio podcaster.
Southern California public station KCRW went online with podcasts in March. Thirteen of its shows are featured on Apple’s iTunes 4.9, which allows users to manage and listen to podcasts and was launched this week.
“When KCRW first launched its podcasting lineup on March 1, the average number of weekly downloads was 25,000; last week, the average weekly number of KCRW program downloads was 100,000,” the station said.
“With the launch of iTunes 4.9 on Tuesday, podcasts of KCRW programs increased tenfold, from a previous daily average of 10,000 to 100,000.” Popular hits include “The Treatment with Elvis Mitchell” and “Harry Shearer’s Le Show.” Unique visitors to KCRW.com doubled to a daily average of 60,000.