What podcasts looked like in 2024 — literally

  News, Rassegna Stampa
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In 2024, podcasts have gotten closer to becoming a video-first medium. Though video podcasts have been around a relatively long time, shows from The New York Times, NPR, and many other podcast networks that have been audio-only for years have recently started adding a video component in order to gain new listenership. In fact, Spotify, a major player in podcasts, is about to begin paying podcasters to bring videos to the platform. 

And after years of producers trying to get audio shows to go viral on social media, podcasts are now dominating TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts after video producers realized they can just film the talent talking. Meanwhile, weekly podcasts are looking to attract younger audiences who grew up on YouTube. As a result, video producers are figuring out how to make podcasts, and audio producers are figuring out how to make videos.

I’ve noticed a few developing trends in this video-first podcasting format. This isn’t surprising; when one producer discovers a formula that works, others are going to try it. Let’s take a look at current design and tech trends — and then I’ll talk about what I think may develop over the next year or so.

Many of today’s podcast studios look like living rooms and basements. This isn’t a new phenomenon with talk shows, but a lot of podcasts started out in a living space, and larger media companies have adopted that aesthetic. Lamps. Fireplaces. Fake plants. Bookshelves. This environment gives a more “laid back” style of long-form interviewing, which is typically the vibe of most chat-style podcasts.

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Couches and comfy chairs show up a lot on these video shows. The round table has been ditched, and leisure is key — it’s a lot more comfortable of an environment for talking hours at a time. Both hosts and guests are often on a couch together or sitting in comfy chairs separately. 

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Another trend I’ve noticed are these wooden slats on the wall in podcast studios — our own Vox Media space has gone with this design as well. These work better for sound absorption while still looking like a living space. This is already looking to be a signifier of mid-2020 video podcasts. 

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With wide-shot camera angles showcasing the entire room, there is usually something in the middle of the screen, like a TV or a giant logo of the show, to create a symmetrical studio look. Neon signs and colored lights are very trendy right now because they add a colorful glow to a more muted studio space. Lots of cursive lettering.

Branding is often prioritized in video, and most producers think that means literally looking at the logo for two hours. This is also an easy way to let a TikTok scroller know what show they are watching (though this typically doesn’t crop well for vertical video).

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Microphones are often placed on floor stands that extend over the couches (these articulating boom stands have been staples in recording studios for decades). As a result, the stands often appear from out of the camera frame and stick up broadly in front of guests’ faces awkwardly. Poles sticking out at various incongruent angles look even messier when you have multiple guests on separate chairs.