Digital Podcast, one of the many podcast directories popping up around us, has used it's directory muscle to run a study (PDF) about the emerging marketplace (and of what they call the "value chain"). The report gives some projections on the market sizes and growth potential for the medium. Oddly enough, we learn breakthrough information like "Podcasting is growing extremely fast" and "opportunities are developing" - incredible!

All sarcasm aside, the report does offer a level of encouragement to those who still haven't drank the Kool-aid just yet. Using their directory, Digital Podcast used their catalogue of over 1,800 podcasts as a sample for the study. Of the key findings, we learn that pr0n is the most viewed category with 11.3% of visits - yet it represents less that 1% of the podcasts out there. So aural (oral?) exhibitionists need to get on that bandwagon. Other areas of opportunity are Podcasted Books and Podsafe Music, while there seems to be a bit more competition in Comedy/Humor and Sci-Tech Podcasts genres.

As for Podcasting tools and equipment, there's a MASSIVE opportunity with the current market size estimated at $1-$2 Million, growing to over $300 Million "in the near future."

Get the full summary report (PDF) issued under a creative commons license.