Neil Dixon, one of the organisers of the UK’s Podcast Conference, PodcastCon, says that he and his colleagues won’t be repeating the show again next year. The first PodcastCon last year had a big buzz about it, and was truly an enjoyable day. Since then Podcasting has become more commercial. The word “amateur” clearly comes from the Latin word for “love” - “amor” - and you might say that some of the love has gone out of Podcasting as the professionals have moved in. Neil says he takes a of flack for starting work at Podshow, the podcast advertising network. I’m not sure why. No podcaster is forced to take Podshow’s shilling or dollar. Meanwhile another PodcastCon organiser, Adrian Pegg, has been trading insults with Richard Vobes who did a wonderful live podcast at last year’s show. The normally good natured Adrian writes:

In the latest piece of anachronistic drivel he calls his ’show’, Richard Vobes chooses to denigrate the efforts of those of putting time and effort in to Podcastcon this year. At least he confirmed that he won’t be coming, which is something I guess.

(Adrian seems to have deleted the post now… so perhaps his good nature re-asserted itself).

I recorded an audio package at last year’s show. It now seems like a nostalgic reminder of more innocent times.

I wonder if the UK Podcasters Association might not take over the show in 2007? (quick edit there). For some reason they don’t seem to get along with Neil Dixon - but I never understood that feud. The Politics of UK Podcasting are a little mysterious to me.

Well I’ll be along at this year’s PodcastCon and expect to enjoy it - and not just for watching the scraps between podcasters.

P.S. More background on this in the Britcaster Forum.