After promising the feature back at the 2021 spring event, Apple is finally releasing podcast subscriptions. The new feature allows podcast creators to offer paid subscription tiers for their shows.
Apple Is Finally Releasing Podcast Subscriptions
Apple is finally releasing podcast subscriptions to Apple Podcasts on June 15, after it was first announced back in April at the spring event. An email Apple sent to podcast creators announced this release date, and was given to The Verge.
We were supposed to see the new feature a little earlier in May with the release of iOS 14.6, but Apple delayed the release due to issues with Apple Podcasts Connect. In true Apple fashion, the company explained it wanted everything to be perfect.
The new feature helps out both podcast creators and listeners, with creators able to benefit from extra revenue in exchange for extra features to listeners. Apple's key message with the new feature is to support content creators.
Subscription prices aren't one-size-fits-all, each podcast show can set its own price for a subscription. From Apple's promotional images we've seen examples priced from $0.50 all the way to $4.50 per month. As with the App Store, Apple will take a 30 percent share from the price, although this drops to 15 percent in the second year.
In order to benefit from the new podcast feature, users need iOS/iPadOS 14.6 or later on their devices. In this software update, Apple included a vital update to the Podcasts app to enable this new feature.
What Are Apple Podcasts Subscriptions?
With the new feature, Apple Podcasts users can sign up for additional premium subscriptions for their favorite shows in the Podcasts app. These subscriptions offer listeners exclusive access to new shows, ad-free listening, and other benefits.
Listeners can access premium subscriptions from both independent and studio podcast creators on the Apple Podcasts platform. And since these subscriptions are an additional offering, regular listeners can still access their favorite free podcasts as normal.
Rather than paying the subscription fee to Apple, the charge is set and received by the podcast creator. This makes it different to the standard subscription charge from Apple Music. Rather, imagine paying a subscription to listen to certain albums that give you bonus content–it's similar to that.
Will You Pay For New Podcast Subscriptions?
Paying for a podcast subscription is a relatively new idea. Podcasts have always been available for free, and still are in Apple Podcasts. But with exclusive new features to tide over fans, could podcast subscriptions prove to be popular?
Image Credit: Apple