Apple is now launching its new podcast and channel subscription initiative. Apple Podcasts subscriptions allow creators to post bonus content and ad-free versions of their shows in exchange for a monthly subscription.
Apple is partnering with major podcast networks, including Wondery and Luminary, to bring their paid shows to the Apple Podcasts app.
Apple Podcasts subscriptions are very listener-friendly. Fans of the show or network can subscribe with a click of a button in the Podcasts app using their Apple ID credentials. Apple then automatically distributes premium content to subscribers when it becomes available.
Podcast subscriptions have garnered some criticism from the podcast community, mainly due to Apple’s high fees. Apple charges a 30% commission on all podcast subscriptions, and purchases made within Apple Podcasts are not available to third-party customers.
However, podcast creators are allowed to continue to monetize their shows outside of Apple Podcasts subscriptions in any way they choose. Apple Podcasts subscriptions are another additional option, alongside services like Patreon or Memberful.
Apple Podcasts are also opening today. Channels allow everyone to group their shows on a separate page, including individual branding and images. The channels are offered to creators for free and can be used regardless of whether the podcast uses the subscription features or not. For example, Wondery and Luminary now have channels presenting a collection of their respective shows. Paid channel subscriptions will automatically unlock all shows with subscription benefits within them.
The launch of podcast subscriptions was originally slated to begin in May, but the company delayed the launch for a couple of weeks. Following the rollout of the updated Podcasts app in iOS 14.5, podcast producers faced issues with the slow distribution of Apple Podcast episodes, and users of the Podcast app complained about new design elements. Apple says some improvements to the Podcasts app have been released in the iOS 14.6 update, and more changes to the Library tab are coming soon, likely as part of iOS 14.7.
English