Pattern of podcast production in radio newsrooms: A case study of Capital FM, Kenya

Alex  Isaboke Ogutu; Caleb Ratemo

doi:10.51867/ajernet.7.2.104

Authors

Ogutu Alex Isaboke Moi University, Kenya
Caleb Ratemo Department of Communication, Languages and Linguistics, Pan Africa Christian University, Kenya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51867/ajernet.7.2.104

Keywords:

Digital Journalism, Kenya, Media Convergence, Podcast Production, Radio Newsrooms

Abstract

This research examines the patterns of podcasting production in a legacy radio newsroom, taking Capital FM, Kenya, as a case study. Set within the wider context of convergence in media, this research investigates how traditional broadcast organizations have embraced podcasting into their production and editorial workflows. Anchored on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as the principal theoretical framework, a qualitative research approach utilizing a case study design was chosen. The target population consisted of staff working in the newsroom, comprising editors, producers, and reporters producing the podcasts. The study purposefully sampled 20 individuals from this population for semi-structured interviews. The data were subjected to thematic analysis to identify recurring practices, challenges, and innovations related to the adoption of podcasting. The findings demonstrate that podcasting production at Capital FM is thematically selective and enjoys more flexible scheduling than live bulletins. It also targets an urban, mobile-first audience. Podcasting is only partially integrated into newsroom workflows, therefore, in most cases are treated as complimentary to the work of the newsroom. The major challenges in adopting podcasts included the limited technical skills to understand podcasting, limited resources to produce podcasts, limited monetization plans around podcasts despite an evolving digital structure in Kenya. Ideally, the sustainable capacity of podcasting in Kenyan radio newsrooms needs targeted workshop training plans, strategic planning and editorial alignment, and capital investment in analytics for distribution and monetization models. These insights add to the growing academic scholarship on digital journalism in the Global South, and also provide useful practical guidance for improving audio progression and innovation in legacy media. It is recommended that Capital FM Kenya should implement coordinated podcast planning, continuous staff training, and data-driven audience analytics, while media regulators and journalism schools establish supportive policies and professional capacity-building frameworks for sustainable podcast development.

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