Apple Will Keep 15 to 30% Cut of Podcast Subscriptions

[MacRumors]

Apple today announced a new podcasts subscription feature that's coming to the Podcasts app. Podcast subscriptions will let podcast publishers sell subscriptions to an individual show or a group of shows, with pricing starting at 49 cents per month.

Publishers will be able to set their own pricing, but according to Recode, Apple plans to take a cut. Apple will collect 30 percent of subscription revenue that creators generate in their first year on the platform, and after that, Apple will collect 15 percent. This is the same pricing setup that Apple uses for other subscription options.

Apple does not plan to require podcast creators to create content exclusively for Apple, but it is encouraging them to distinguish between content available from Apple Podcasts and content on other platforms, such as ad-free shows, shows with extra content, or early or exclusive access to new content. Those who want to participate will need to sign up for the Apple Podcasters Program, which is priced at $19.99 per year.

Podcast creators will be able to start offering subscriptions as of next month, with subscriptions available to listeners in more than 170 countries and regions. Up to six family members can share a subscription.

Apple has a number of partners on board ready to create premium podcast content, including Tenderfoot TV, Pushkin Industries, Radiotopia from PRX, and QCODE, NPR, the Los Angeles Times, The Athletic, Sony Music Entertainment, and more.

Article Link: Apple Will Keep 15 to 30% Cut of Podcast Subscriptions

 

[sublunar]

I think it competes with, say, Patreon, for some Podcast extras. Would make it interesting for people who wish to pay for high quality (perhaps ad free) podcast content.

 

[Michael Scrip]

"Apple Will Keep 15 to 30% Cut of Podcast Subscriptions"

Because of course they will...

 

[jefhai]

I will boycott or subvert any podcasts that require a subscription... if I want to give to them I’ll give to them directly

 

[sublunar]

I will boycott or subvert any podcasts that require a subscription... if I want to give to them I’ll give to them directly

A lot of podcast producers who require a paid subscription seem to use Patreon from what I have heard, others will ask for other payment schemes who also take their cut.

Good luck to you if you can find a way to pay a podcaster for paid-for content - but along the way someone will be taking a cut to make that payment happen.

And people trust Apple with payment details and privacy. This is part of their Epic court argument - but that's something for another day.

 

[bobmans]

Seems fair to me.

Can kind of compare it with streaming on Twitch where you can subscribe to a streamer to show you like them / for extra perks. Twitch takes a 50% cut.

Currently podcasters mostly use Patreon which also takes a cut.

 

[Wildkraut]

Podcast going that route will die.
Podcasts paid by ads are fine, just like it currently is.

Apple platform is becoming less and less appealing with every device and os release.
They are trying to make almost everything to money, and set their feet into stuff by doing nothing.
Amazing blood suckers!

 

[Michael Scrip]

I will boycott or subvert any podcasts that require a subscription... if I want to give to them I’ll give to them directly

Exactly!

Or I'll listen to ads... which has worked for the last 15 years.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Not surprising. Doing anything less would probably spark lawsuits.

 

[DNichter]

Mistake, Apple needs to be leading the charge here. I get the money in services, but if you want to remain THE platform, you need to be leading in this area.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

This definitely feels like a Patreon competitor. I'll probably subscribe if some of the people I support on Patreon offer this.

 

[Wildkraut]

Time to install an alternative podcast app.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Podcast going that route will die.
Podcasts paid by ads are fine, just like it currently is.

Apple platform is becoming less and less appealing with every device and os release.
They are trying to make almost everything to money, and set their feet into stuff by doing nothing.
Amazing blood suckers!

You're aware that many podcasters receive support through Patreon and offer exclusive and ad-free content? This is the same thing.

 

[kyleh22]

Apple is going after all the subscription platforms: Steaming, Exercise, Patreon (podcast perks), Cloud, Gaming, News etc. One more thing to bundle with Apple One and one more reason why the new comers and little guys can't compete.

 

[lah]

Glad to see they are not forcing exclusives. This seems ok and might be worth it for podcasters to offer their listeners effortless access to their premium content.

 

[Wildkraut]

You're aware that many podcasters receive support through Patreon? This is the same thing.

I say that most podcast listeners don't pay for podcasts and also wouldn't pay.
The main income for podcasts will remain ads.

Btw. Patreon is 5-12%

 

[oneMadRssn]

Depending on pricing and availability, I would be willing to spend a few bucks on ad-free versions of the podcasts I like. But hopefully it's not more than that.

 

[averagenerd81]

Podcast going that route will die.
Podcasts paid by ads are fine, just like it currently is.

Apple platform is becoming less and less appealing with every device and os release.
They are trying to make almost everything to money, and set their feet into stuff by doing nothing.
Amazing blood suckers!

Nothing in life is free.

Podcast distribution costs someone, there is no free lunch here. Advertising the podcast costs money, there is no free lunch here.

I use Pocket Casts but the discovery for it mostly features whodunnit or muder related podcasts anymore, I welcome a better selection of curated content if it works well for most.

Apple's ecosystem gets better and better for me each year.

 

[mnsportsgeek]

I say that most podcast listeners don't pay for podcasts and also wouldn't pay.
The main income for podcasts will remain ads.

Btw. Patreon is 5-12%

I get ad-free podcasts through the people I support on Patreon. This is an option. Not a requirement.

The people I support wouldn't offer an ad-free version if it wasn't more lucrative than what they make from ads. If you want the free ad-supported version, you can have it.

 

[Wildkraut]

Depending on pricing and availability, I would be willing to spend a few bucks on ad-free versions of the podcasts I like. But hopefully it's not more than that.

Thats totally fine, but in a way that 100% goes to the creator.

 

[Stromos]

Paying for NPR

 

[SBlue1]

Exactly!

Or I'll listen to ads... which has worked for the last 15 years.

I happily pay some of my podcasters by Patreon. I want them to survive and keep doing what they do. If Apples share is less than what Patreon takes I will switch to Apple.

 

[Wildkraut]

I get ad-free podcasts through the people I support on Patreon. This is an option. Not a requirement.

If you want the free ad-supported version, you can have it.

Then better choose a payment method that 100% goes to the creator, that way you support them even more.
Apple would get 15%-30% for doing nothing other than playing the gatekeeper again.

 

[LawJolla]

Everyone is getting needlessly worked up. This is clearly an arrow at Pateron for podcasters to move their premium content "in house." It could work nicely.

Patreon pricing | start a Patreon account for free — Patreon

www.patreon.com

 

[Michael Scrip]

I happily pay some of my podcasters by Patreon. I want them to survive and keep doing what they do. If Apples share is less than what Patreon takes I will switch to Apple.

Right.

But do they also have a version with ads to help them pay the bills?

Or do they only run on Patreon?

All I was saying is... we've had podcasts for a looong time. Most are ad-driven. Those were able to survive all that time.