Amazon-Owned Wondery+ to Launch on Apple Podcasts Subscriptions

[MacRumors]

Amazon's podcast subscription service Wondery+ will be available through the Apple Podcasts Subscriptions platform, which launches in over 170 countries later this month, according to a report today from The Hollywood Reporter.

Wondery+ offers dozens of ad-free podcasts, with early access and exclusive episodes for subscribers, making it a natural fit for Apple Podcasts Subscriptions. The report says Wondery+ pricing will be the same through Apple as it is elsewhere, at $4.99 per month or $34.99 per year. Wondery's free, ad-supported podcasts will remain available.

Apple Podcasts Subscriptions will allow users to subscribe to premium podcasts with a variety of benefits, such as ad-free listening, access to additional content, and early or exclusive access to new series. Launch partners will include NPR, the Los Angeles Times, The Athletic, Sony Music Entertainment, and many more, according to Apple.

In late 2020, it was reported that Apple held acquisition talks with Wondery, but Amazon ultimately purchased the company.

Apple Podcasts Subscriptions will likely launch with iOS 14.6.

Article Link: Amazon-Owned Wondery+ to Launch on Apple Podcasts Subscriptions

 

[countryside]

Wow, this is big for Apple Podcast

I have been loyal to this app for 10+ years. It is crappy now. Please fix Apple!

 

[autrefois]

Wondery+? What does the + even mean at this point?

For a long time everything had to have i in front of it. Now everything has to have a + after it. The use of the + symbol has probably increased more the past few years than at any other time in human history.

It’s a good time to be a manufacturer of replacement + keys on keyboards.

 

[Manzanito]

Wondery+? What does the + even mean at this point?

For a long time everything had to have i in front of it. Now everything has to have a + after it. The use of the + symbol has probably increased more the past few years than at any other time in human history.

It’s a good time to be a manufacturer of replacement + keys on keyboards.

Couldn’t agree more.

 

[1258186]

I’m not convinced Podcast subscriptions will work. I certainly would not pay. There are so many really good free Podcasts.

 

[countryside]

I’m not convinced Podcast subscriptions will work. I certainly would not pay. There are so many really good free Podcasts.

A lot of people already support their favorite podcasts on Patreon in exchange for an exclusive "Friends of the Show" RSS feed. I think this will do OK if podcasters get behind it. Apple takes a higher percentage of revenue than Patreon. BUT, Apple's way is easy and painless... Patreon you have to go to a whole other website.

 

[1258186]

A lot of people already support their favorite podcasts on Patreon in exchange for an exclusive "Friends of the Show" RSS feed. I think this will do OK if podcasters get behind it. Apple takes a higher percentage of revenue than Patreon. BUT, Apple's way is easy and painless... Patreon you have to go to a whole other website.

I would not pay for any Podcasts regardless of what platform they were on.

 

[jgreg728]

Interesting Amazon's willing to work with Apple on this. I have yet to find a podcast I would be willing to pay a subscription for, and I still disagree with Apple and Spotify's pushes to monetize the podcast industry. However, I'm interested in seeing the Patreon model be taken fully mainstream with Apple's platform and where it'll go.

 

[darkcompass]

I've been podcasting for 16 years and it's now become a big mess.

I gave up trying to get advertisers a long long time ago, and I think my listeners like the idea of not having pre-show, post-show of even in-show ads.

You can't expect people to pay for the podcast, because they are quite ephemeral.
It's seldom I see stats of my podcast, of people listening to show 150, when a podcast is now over into the 1000 mark.

 

[Orange Bat]

I would not pay for any Podcasts regardless of what platform they were on.

Me too. There are too many free podcasts (and too many podcasts period) too spend money on any of them. Podcasting really feels like it’s in a bubble right now, and that bubble is ready to burst. We have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to entertainment and media. I already feel like I pay too much in subscriptions as it is, let alone to add more when I can get by with the free stuff. Also, Podcasts are perfect for commuting, but many, many fewer people are commuting like they used to. The timing on monetizing podcasts just seems bad to me.

 

[cardfan]

Sorry apple. Have to pass + on this. Btw. Thought I had it all with apple ONE. Guess not.

 

[nburwell]

I’m not convinced Podcast subscriptions will work. I certainly would not pay. There are so many really good free Podcasts.

I tend to agree here. I usually just FF through the commercials on the podcasts that I listen to. With the streaming services I already pay for, I'm not about to add another subscription into the mix, but that's just me.

 

[FightTheFuture]

Me too. There are too many free podcasts (and too many podcasts period) too spend money on any of them. Podcasting really feels like it’s in a bubble right now, and that bubble is ready to burst. We have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to entertainment and media. I already feel like I pay too much in subscriptions as it is, let alone to add more when I can get by with the free stuff. Also, Podcasts are perfect for commuting, but many, many fewer people are commuting like they used to. The timing on monetizing podcasts just seems bad to me.

The thing about podcasting is that it’s basically the evolution of talk radio. But talk radio was never well funded, unless you were Howard Stern. The idea that folks will fork over recurring costs for podcasts is ridiculous. Though I suppose we live in a world where you tip Tweets and buy digital pants on Fortnite.

 

[0982786]

<delete...why am I commenting on macrumors...haha>