A podcast called "Red Bar Radio" is claiming to be the first podcast to be syndicated on traditional radio without having first been broadcast over the air. Based out of Chicago, the talk show will be syndicated on the Genesis Communications Network on Saturdays from 9-11pm Central starting April 1. The live show can also be heard at www.redbarradio.com, and of course the podcast can be downloaded afterwards.

This is exactly the kind of movement we want to see in the podcasting space. Nothing will spice up traditional radio (analog or otherwise) than acquiring media from the bottom-up world of podcasts. Broadcast borrows from narrowcast, and the palette of options is improved. Podcasters like Red Bar get the obvious benefits of greater exposure, but can also involve advertisers in their Internet presence as well as their pure audio presence. Everyone wins.

P.S. Kudos to the author of the press release for using the word "portmanteau."

[via Radio World Online]