Podcasts are audio files that can be sent directly to subscribers' desktops as soon as they are published online.
The format was popularised by audio bloggers and is increasingly being explored by broadcasters and news services as a quick and effective delivery mechanism for audio content.
Launched this week, the directory offers more than 3,000 listings of free podcast content. Users can subscribe to feeds directly through the iTunes directory.
Content includes excerpts of daily radio sports coverage from ESPN.com and the Afternote, ABC News' political newsletter.
"ABC News is proud to be the recognised news provider for iTunes and to offer podcast highlights that appeal to an increasingly on-the-go news audience," said David Westin, president of ABC News.
"Podcasting is an additional way ABC News is embracing on-demand technologies to deliver news anytime, anywhere and on any device."
The new directory has already triggered more than one million downloads since its launch two days ago.
More news from dotJournalism:
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