“MuggleCast” Celebrates Its Tenth Anniversary

On August 7, 2005, a new medium was born. Harry Potter literary discussion, which was then taking place on a multitude of Internet forums, chat rooms, and website comments sections, first hit the airwaves of the iTunes podcast directory in the form of MuggleCast. On that first episode, the trio of hosts, which included MuggleNet staff members Andrew Sims, Ben Schoen, and Kevin Steck, discussed recently released promotional stills from the fourth Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. News updates also centered on the recent release of the sixth Harry Potter book, Half-Blood Prince, as well as what few comments author J.K. Rowling had made regarding the seventh and final book, then-untitled with no known release date.

In the nearly 300 episodes that would follow (MuggleCast is *still* releasing episodes), the show’s hosts would discuss everything from critical analysis of the books, to fan favorite theories, characters, and real-world happenings. The podcast would tour the United States more than once, often featuring at HP fan conventions and even holding live podcasts in locations as far apart as London, England, and Sydney, Australia. Most of the hosts were still in high school when it began. Today, we look back at that first episode of the MuggleCast podcast, which has been re-released on its podcast feed. All episodes can be found in audio format, or with transcripts, over on the MuggleCast website. Join us in congratulating MuggleCast on its longevity!