We did use JSON ultimatly because we had no choice, but RSS is good to use when you can because there are like a bajillion snippets and scripts out there (many of which are pre-themed and look GOOD and only need minor adjustments) for RSS and only a few good ones for JSON, none of which we could get to work here (@zogstrip provided me with a fantastic working example we were able to use to make some great stuff with)
EDIT: It’s also much easier to work with for novice and intermediary coders.