Podcast Listeners: Still Freaks and Geeks?

According to eMarketer (via Podcast News), 9 percent of all internet users downloaded at least a podcast a month in 2008.

While eMarketer says this proves that it's a "broad medium with mainstream trappings," I'm not sure single-digit popularity really proves the case. Even if its audience doubles, as eMarketer expects that it will by 2013, it's still a pretty paltry 20 percent or so. One out of five ain't bad—it's terrible.

I'm optimistic that one of these days, something will come along that will make podcast listening easier, more appealing and maybe, just maybe, more popular.