Listening to Shel & Neville’s For Immediate Release podcast, I was struck with a thought that may – or may not – have some merit in jump starting the accessibility and interest in podcasts.

So, consider this on how to kick start podcasting…

How about time shifting broadcast and satellite radio. Certainly this can’t be far away (maybe already being done). OK, it is … read on.

I have a Delphi myfi xm2go and it already records audio content and saves it for listening later. Well, with a lil’ software tweak it could record like a Tivo or VCR to get your program from their existing offerings and record it.

Satellite radio had 4.1 million subscribers as of the end of 2004.

Now, how about cars with such a setup, and your home computer does this for you via WiFi network. Overnight it updates the car XM or SIRIUS setup in the garage with the latest files for your commute to and from work the next day. You could already set your computer to record (digitize) broadcasts and put them in a folder to update your iPod/MP3 player. We just need an iPodder-like software to do it automatically. That would require XMRadio and SIRIUS to provide an API or code, which they may already be doing. Some developer out there will create the scripts necessary.

Right now, satellite has all of the major cable news channels in audio. With a good directory and the codes (like in TV Guide) you could set the recorder to grab it automatically. All those programs could be ‘time shifted’ in such a way. Satellite is already going to programs like Opie & Anthony, Howard Stern. Grab those, too. They already have CSPAN radio, so how about all the CSPAN TV shows. They could carry them, too. Grab ‘em.

Now, with the ease of audio & innovations mentioned above; plus, the already existing load of podcasts out there, we have another opportunity. What if these satellite radio providers created a ‘public access’ channel like cable providers offer. Our ‘friends’ in Congress, for instance, might require the satellite broadcasters to offer (as they require cable operators to do) a ‘community access’ channel. Podcasts could go there.

Think of the potential for having XMRadio or SIRIUS cut a deal with Podcast Alley, for instance. Or they create their own sites for podcast submissions. Offer them up as a means of free programming to enhance their overall schedule. Considering that they already have the mainstream options, this would start to grab more of those niche audiences.

This could be where podcasts of sorts really take off as they are exposed to an ever widening audience pool. These ideas might help kick start interest in podcasts.

What do you think?

Update: Shel & Neville will love this latest entry to the podcasting world. Paris Hilton Promotes Movie With Podcast

They have even taken the iPodder software and branded it with a ‘House of Wax’ theme. Who says that mainstream won’t embrace podcasting? Scroll down to The House of Wax Podcatcher.