Apple Launches Podcasts Subscriptions

[MacRumors]

Update: Apple has now announced that Apple Podcast Subscriptions for shows and channels is rolling out worldwide, showcasing a large number of new shows, groups of podcasts, and channels.

When listeners purchase a subscription to a show, they automatically follow the show and the page is updated with a Subscriber Edition label so it is clear that they have access to the premium experience. As listeners subscribe to more channels, the Listen Now tab expands with new rows to provide easy access to all subscription content. Listeners who subscribe to two or more channels will also see a My Channels row in the Listen Now tab.



As expected, Apple Podcasts has officially rolled out Apple Podcast Subscriptions, offering content creators and podcasters an opportunity to receive support through monthly subscriptions from their fans and listeners.

Apple announced the new service during its April event and ultimately had planned to launch it soon after. The company, however, then decided to delay its launch to ensure that the "best experience" is being given. Now, listeners can decide to subscribe to a monthly subscription for their favorite show, and by doing so, receive an ad-free listening experience with bonus content.

All subscriptions made through the platform are subject to Apple's 30% commission rule, meaning creators only get 70% of the subscriptions that users pay. Additionally, if users subscribe to a podcast but wish to use a thrid party podcast client, the benefits of the purchase are not accessible. Apple Podcast Subscriptions also include the ability for podcast creators and users to create Channels, which are a collection of different shows on a single page.

Article Link: Apple Launches Podcasts Subscriptions

 

[Khedron]

Apple taking 30% to lock you into their app

Patreon charges 8% - 15% and the benefits are accessible from any device

 

[farewelwilliams]

here comes people complaining about the 30% and completely ignoring the benefits.

 

[adammusic]

Just fix podcast notifications already.
Havent worked since podcast app launched.
Once a month ill get a bunch of new episodes notifications at once.
Never when a new episode drops.
all notifications are turned on correctly

 

[Westside guy]

I can't see myself paying for a podcast - there's too much free content out there as it is! But, different strokes for different folks.

 

[contacos]

Already overwhelmed by the amount of free content. Can’t imagine paying for it on top

 

[Michael Scrip]

I can't see myself paying for a podcast - there's too much free content out there as it is! But, different strokes for different folks.

I think this is more about "supporting" a podcast rather than paying to "access" a podcast.

The article says "listeners can decide to subscribe to a monthly subscription for their favorite show, and by doing so, receive an ad-free listening experience with bonus content."

So it sounds like it's optional. You pay if you want to help support the podcasters and then you don't get ads.

I'm not sure if there will be paid-only podcasts, though. If there are... then yes, I agree with you.

The bigger issue is... are these "premium" podcasts features only available in the Apple Podcast app? And is that app still only available on Apple devices?

Sure... there are a billion iPhones out there. But there are even more Android devices out there.

The articles says "if users subscribe to a podcast but wish to use a third-party podcast client, the benefits of the purchase are not accessible"

That sounds very limiting... and thus Apple Subscriptions probably won't be very popular. I expect things like Patreon to continue to exist.

I'm still upset about Joe Rogan and soon Armchair Expert being Spotify exclusives. Yeah I have a free Spotify account... but I don't want to use an additional app for only certain shows.

I hate this fragmentation of something that was so free and simple 15 years ago. But corporate money finally found its way into podcasting.

 

[vagos]

This is a feature that benefits Apple more than the end user.

 

[Ray2]

The only feature I find useful on the vast majority of podcasts is fast forward.

 

[syklee26]

Who pays to listen to podcast?

 

[ArPe]

Apple taking 30% to lock you into their app

Patreon charges 8% - 15% and the benefits are accessible from any device

You are posting misinformation. Podcasters post on all platforms not just one. There is no lock in unless a podcaster has an exclusive contract, but if they do that then they don’t need to charge a sub.

 

[KidAKidB]

here comes people complaining about the 30% and completely ignoring the benefits.

It's a valid complaint.

 

[iDento]

Waiting for the Productivity Show by Asian Efficiency to be released. If you value your time, paying a small fee to listen to a podcast without ads isn’t a bad idea.

 

[residentgalah]

It’s easier to imagine paying for podcasts than ever using the Apple Podcasts app.

 

[Chefclean]

I guess Apples going broke- not making enough money these days.

 

[dubmick]

I see no option to log in if you are an existing subscriber. Disappointing but not surprising.

 

[Khedron]

You are posting misinformation. Podcasters post on all platforms not just one. There is no lock in unless a podcaster has an exclusive contract, but if they do that then they don’t need to charge a sub.

Nope, you are misunderstanding. As stated in the original post, the user is locked into Apple's Podcast app if they want the benefits of their subscription. With Patreon you can access your benefits (more types of which are supported by Patreon) by the Patreon app, by any third party podcast app (for audio content), or by website.

 

[Abazigal]

Apple taking 30% to lock you into their app

Patreon charges 8% - 15% and the benefits are accessible from any device

What else could Apple have done? It’s not like they could implement their subscription feature in all podcast apps in the App Store.

Plus, it’s 15% from the second year onwards, comparable to Paterson if you stick around long enough.

 

[Khedron]

What else could Apple have done? It’s not like they could implement their subscription feature in all podcast apps in the App Store.

Plus, it’s 15% from the second year onwards, comparable to Paterson if you stick around long enough.

Apple could have done what everyone else does. Associate the subscription with an account that you can access anywhere rather than locking it down to their own app.

So Apple punishes new businesses then relaxes the fees if you're a proven money earner for them

Whereas Patreon starts off with the lowest fees then increases them slightly if and when you are established

 

[Abazigal]

So Apple punishes new businesses then relaxes the fees if you're a proven money earner for them

Patreon starts off with the lowest fees then increases them slightly if and when you are established

In my opinion, it's more that Apple (still) believes that 30% is fair renumeration for the role they play in customer acquisition. They made the podcast app, they created the iTunes directly which allows people to locate podcasts, and they baked the subscription feature into their podcast app to make it easier to customers to support their creators. So because Apple is actually helping to funnel subscribers into your podcast (or so Apple would like to believe), they feel entitled to a piece of the pie for their efforts.

This is lowered to 15% in subsequent years because the role they play in discovery is much less beyond the initial purchase.

In contrast, Patreon requires that users sign up for an account in a separate website, which takes more effort than simply hitting a button in the app. In this sense, Patreon is simply providing the infrastructure; they are not doing anything to actually help you get more users. That's entirely left up to your merit. Though once they win you over as a subscriber, you likely stay a subscriber for a long time, so it's usually worth it. I am not aware that their cut actually increases as you get more successful though.

 

[Khedron]

In my opinion, it's more that Apple (still) believes that 30% is fair renumeration for the role they play in customer acquisition. They made the podcast app, they created the iTunes directly which allows people to locate podcasts, and they baked the subscription feature into their podcast app to make it easier to customers to support their creators. So because Apple is actually helping to funnel subscribers into your podcast (or so Apple would like to believe), they feel entitled to a piece of the pie for their efforts.

This is lowered to 15% in subsequent years because the role they play in discovery is much less beyond the initial purchase.

In contrast, Patreon requires that users sign up for an account in a separate website, which takes more effort than simply hitting a button in the app. In this sense, Patreon is simply providing the infrastructure; they are not doing anything to actually help you get more users. That's entirely left up to your merit. Though once they win you over as a subscriber, you likely stay a subscriber for a long time, so it's usually worth it. I am not aware that their cut actually increases as you get more successful though.

If Apple did this 15 years ago then they would deserve it for the work they did launching and promoting podcasts. These days Apple Podcasts is a decaying corpse and the last place I would go to discover or listen to podcasts. Perhaps they'll capture newer listeners though I don't know what their appetite for podcasts is like, let alone paid ones.

Seems to me Apple did this just because it requires almost zero effort on their behalf with Apple Pay and other subscription services already set up.

 

[dukeblue219]

Who pays to listen to podcast?

People who aren't freeloaders and want to support quality programming? I pay for all the podcasts I listen to because I want them to keep producing content. I'm not a fool for doing that.

 

[xalea]

Both the Podcast and Music apps are horribly designed. So many taps required just to search, or get back to a 'main' page. I've never seen such bad design. I actually use my Echo devices to listen to episodes because it's so much easier to navigate by voice. Of course I won't be subscribing, because those devices won't be able to access the bonus content. Fix the app design!

 

[Abazigal]

Who pays to listen to podcast?

I am subscribed to Stratechery and AboveAvalon, though their podcasts are secondary to their writing.

 

[ArPe]

Nope, you are misunderstanding. As stated in the original post, the user is locked into Apple's Podcast app if they want the benefits of their subscription. With Patreon you can access your benefits (more types of which are supported by Patreon) by the Patreon app, by any third party podcast app (for audio content), or by website.

SWho gives a 💩? They’ll make money from subscriptions and sponsors for this 💩 podcasts anyway. Nearly all podcasts I heard are no better than someone reading the news and talking about the news to strangers in a bar 😂