Wednesday Webcast Review: On Point

NPR is sometimes seen as the "gold standard" of broadcast radio, and Bostonist thinks the same could be said for webcasts. The On Point with Tom Ashbrook podcast contains the same content that can be listened to on WBUR. Bostonist likes being able to listen to it when and where we want.

On Point is a news show that delivers everything you could want from a news program. The show takes a close look at the current news, it includes fascinating interviews with scholars, politicians, and other intriguing personalities. This is the type of show that public radio does best, and as such, the podcast is top-notch.

Bostonist has listened to and reviewed many podcasts and in every case we have compared the sound-quality to that of broadcast radio, in particular NPR. This podcast reveals exactly why that is the case. It just doesn't get any better. The same can be said for the substance of the podcast. On Point, being a radio show, is able to land the big interviews which makes the reporting much more informative. The topics reported on are timely, engaging, and revealing. We can't express how happy we are that we can now listen to this great content at a time we choose.

Bostonist can't say that the On Point podcast is particularly Boston-centric, though. The show deals with many national and international issues. Occasionally, some Boston content slips in, and additionally, the show tends to call upon Boston academia for commentary on the current social, economic, and political issues of the day. Consider it to be a small blemish on an otherwise flawless face. On Point moves into heavy rotation on Bostonist's iPod.

Wednesday Webcast Review contributed by Colin Rego of BostonGeek (who deliver their own podcasts).