There are a lot of people who will spend money to experience this feature of Apple, because for them money is not an issue, but what matters is what they find in the free and paid versions, and Apple always knows how to please users, I believe so
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Apple Launches Podcasts Subscriptions
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I have a Podcast and, honestly, I'm just glad someone actually listens to it. I've stayed away from monetizing because a) I wouldn't make that much, and b) it would then become a business, and listeners would have expectations etc.. By keeping it casual I publish content when I have time, and don't when I do not.
That said, I'm all for paying for quality content. I subscribe to club TWiT - even though with Covid I no longer have a commute and watch mostly on YouTube. I really their content and have done for years. I've also subscribed to other Podcasts when I feel like I want to support them.
Of course, adding more subscriptions to my life is the last thing I need. Seriously - at some point I fully expect to just wire my pay check to Apple for all the monthly dues I have with them!
That said, I'm all for paying for quality content. I subscribe to club TWiT - even though with Covid I no longer have a commute and watch mostly on YouTube. I really their content and have done for years. I've also subscribed to other Podcasts when I feel like I want to support them.
Of course, adding more subscriptions to my life is the last thing I need. Seriously - at some point I fully expect to just wire my pay check to Apple for all the monthly dues I have with them!
I didn't mind Apple Podcasts up until today, when the subscription features rolled out.
I sub to a few pods on Patreon, so have no issues paying...
But today when I finished an episode, the app was cluttered with "bonus" episodes that I could listen to if I subscribe. I couldn't even find the next episode that I was up to as there were about 150 bonus episodes (that I have heard via Patreon).
Currently running Pocket Casts and Overcast side by side to see which one I prefer.
I sub to a few pods on Patreon, so have no issues paying...
But today when I finished an episode, the app was cluttered with "bonus" episodes that I could listen to if I subscribe. I couldn't even find the next episode that I was up to as there were about 150 bonus episodes (that I have heard via Patreon).
Currently running Pocket Casts and Overcast side by side to see which one I prefer.
Really? Joe Rogan's show is boring and he's constantly flip-flopping. Leggo my Eggo! 😅
The subscription model is all about how to bring the least amount of options to as many people as possible.
Eventually, people will run out of monthly disposable income, and they'll do the only thing they can: Eliminate subscriptions. I've done it. Many of you have done it. When subscriptions fall off, then those providers will fall like dead bugs in a bug zapper. That will decrease the pool of options. And there you have it, the least amount of options available to as many people as possible.
That's about as bad of a model as you can get, but really, how could it be improved when ad-based content so badly sucks. The ads are what suck, namely how often they are repeated and how bad they are; not necessarily the content itself. So I often skip ad-based content.
Eventually, people will run out of monthly disposable income, and they'll do the only thing they can: Eliminate subscriptions. I've done it. Many of you have done it. When subscriptions fall off, then those providers will fall like dead bugs in a bug zapper. That will decrease the pool of options. And there you have it, the least amount of options available to as many people as possible.
That's about as bad of a model as you can get, but really, how could it be improved when ad-based content so badly sucks. The ads are what suck, namely how often they are repeated and how bad they are; not necessarily the content itself. So I often skip ad-based content.
I think paying for podcasts is a luxury I would easily not partake in.
I pay for Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple stuff, WiFi, TV subscription, Audible, SkySports, BT Sports all because of unmissable action.
Podcasts are probably at the bottom of the list of my consumption sources. Admittedly if I have 5-10 professionally created podcasts every week, then I’d pay a small fee. Maybe £4.99 a month, but at the moment my favourite podcast is from a computer security organisation who releases them every 2/3 months and a radio show in NYC.
They’ve completely destroyed the app too, on the Now Playing page it’s just adverts for other podcasts and has made me switch over to Overcast.
I pay for Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Apple stuff, WiFi, TV subscription, Audible, SkySports, BT Sports all because of unmissable action.
Podcasts are probably at the bottom of the list of my consumption sources. Admittedly if I have 5-10 professionally created podcasts every week, then I’d pay a small fee. Maybe £4.99 a month, but at the moment my favourite podcast is from a computer security organisation who releases them every 2/3 months and a radio show in NYC.
They’ve completely destroyed the app too, on the Now Playing page it’s just adverts for other podcasts and has made me switch over to Overcast.
bah, didn't even know Armchair Expert was going Spotify. Agree, this fragmentation is super annoying but was inevitable. the almighty $$ always wins.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.
And pretty much everything becomes nothing more than an advertisement where you are told “Since you liked this….” with a link to something that really doesn’t have any connection to what you just watched/listened to. The signal to noise ratio is moving steadily and quickly towards nothing but noise that you have to pay for.
I don't mind paying for podcasts where they are offering exclusive content I value, and I certainly am not going to judge anybody for paying to avoid ads, but for me, it's easy enough to just skip forward 30 secs. And unless it's a news/current events podcast, early access also not something I care to pay for.