New Apple Podcasts Spotlight Feature Highlights Rising Podcast Creators

[MacRumors]

Apple today announced the launch of Apple Podcasts Spotlight, a new monthly editorial feature that's designed to celebrate rising podcast creators.

The first Podcasts Spotlight creator is Chelsea Devantez, who hosts Celebrity Book Club. In the weekly podcast, Chelsea is joined by co-hosts like Gabourey Sidibe, Ashley Nicole Black, and Lydia Popovic to discuss the memoirs of celebrities like Mariah Carey, Jessica Simpson, and Jennifer Lopez, to provide listeners with new insights into celebrities they thought they knew.

"Apple Podcasts Spotlight helps listeners find some of the world's best shows by shining a light on creators with singular voices," said Ben Cave, Global Head of Business for Apple Podcasts. "Chelsea Devantez has created a fun, vibrant space with Celebrity Book Club for listeners to gain new perspectives on the celebrities we thought we knew. We are delighted to recognize Chelsea and Celebrity Book Club as our first Spotlight selection and look forward to introducing creators like Chelsea to listeners each month."

Apple plans to announce new Spotlight creators on a monthly basis going forward, and the feature will represent a wide range of podcast genres, formats, and locations, with a focus on independent voices. Highlighted podcasts are featured in the "Browse" section of the Podcasts app and are shared by Apple on social media throughout the month.


Apple's Podcasts Spotlight comes following news that Apple is working to develop its own podcast subscription service, which has the potential to lure creators away from competitors with the promise of more money and give Apple more original podcast content.

Article Link: New Apple Podcasts Spotlight Feature Highlights Rising Podcast Creators

 

[jonnyb098]

Now if they could only make a better podcasts app. Still blows my mind that Apple pretty much pioneered podcasts 20 years ago and still has the most mediocre app around.

 

[satchmo]

They blew the budget and couldn’t pay someone for a proper logo?

 

[applicious84]

.

 

[Spock]

I really hope this isn’t the first step in a transition to more paid Apple services like podcasts. I know that obviously I don’t have to pay for a service that I don’t want but I also don’t want to start getting ads and offers for even more Apple services or a tab in an app for a service that I don’t pay for.

 

[SirChristopher]

They blew the budget and couldn’t pay someone for a proper logo?

I was thinking the exact same thing! What is that scribbled "o" supposed to be? I really don't love Apple's integration "handwritten" text in their marketing materials since the introduction of the Apple Pencil...looks cheap.

 

[lpc2]

Now if they could only make a better podcasts app. Still blows my mind that Apple pretty much pioneered podcasts 20 years ago and still has the most mediocre app around.

I disliked their changes enough a few years ago that I switched to Overcast. So far I have been happy with Overcast.

 

[idmean]

Probably the runners-up in the naming competition were "Launchpad", "QuickTime" and good ol' "Dock".

 

[DaSal]

What is Apple’s obsession with (dated and uninteresting) celebrities, honestly?

Nobody listens to podcasts because they wanna listen to J. Lo.

Couldn’t they get creative, interesting and fresh voices that specialize in podcasting for this? You know: like Spotify does.

if this is a preview of their paid podcasting service I’m not interested

 

[SniperGang]

They blew the budget and couldn’t pay someone for a proper logo?

I was thinking the exact same thing! What is that scribbled "o" supposed to be? I really don't love Apple's integration "handwritten" text in their marketing materials since the introduction of the Apple Pencil...looks cheap.

I agree, am I the only one who has always dreamed of one day joining Apple's design team? Their marketing and design material lacks of refinement and consistency is becoming more and more generic, giving me less and less the desire to achieve this dream. Missing Jony Ive's era...

 

[Williesleg]

So funny it's called "podcasts" after the original iPod.
Can you even get an iPod anymore?
Oh wait, it's Tim Apple, he's selling a zillion SKU's, of course you can get an iPod!

iPod touch - Official Apple Support

Learn how to set up and use your iPod touch. Find all the topics, resources, and contact options you need for your iPod touch.

www.apple.com

I feel so sad for anyone getting one of those, what a letdown.

 

[Spacetime Anomaly]

I'm not digging the idea of podcast subscriptions.

 

[phantom13]

I'm not digging the idea of podcast subscriptions.

No one is. Unfortunately nothing stays free forever.

 

[phantom13]

So funny it's called "podcasts" after the original iPod.
Can you even get an iPod anymore?
Oh wait, it's Tim Apple, he's selling a zillion SKU's, of course you can get an iPod!

iPod touch - Official Apple Support

Learn how to set up and use your iPod touch. Find all the topics, resources, and contact options you need for your iPod touch.

www.apple.com

I feel so sad for anyone getting one of those, what a letdown.

Waiting till Apple releases a retro iPod designed like the original or even the classic to pry what little money I have left from my hands

 

[Robospungo]

Now if they could only make a better podcasts app. Still blows my mind that Apple pretty much pioneered podcasts 20 years ago and still has the most mediocre app around.

A few days ago I switched to the google podcast app and it’s so much better.

Still remember Apple’s app downloading over 30 gigs worth of podcasts without my knowledge. I only found out because my phone kept running out of storage. I guess automatic downloading is turned on by default??

 

[hooptyuber]

Think different...and we'll delete you.

 

[pauloregan]

They want 30% of podcasters advertising revenue. Got to keep Warren Buffett happy.

 

[huge_apple_fangirl]

This is clearly going to be a part of Podcasts+

 

[Naraxus]

Apple really missed the boat on Podcasts sadly

 

[Yojimbo007]

Now if they could only make a better podcasts app. Still blows my mind that Apple pretty much pioneered podcasts 20 years ago and still has the most mediocre app around.

Could not Agree more...
Custom Play lists would be at top of what id like to see..

 

[H. Flower]

What is Apple’s obsession with (dated and uninteresting) celebrities, honestly?

Nobody listens to podcasts because they wanna listen to J. Lo.

Couldn’t they get creative, interesting and fresh voices that specialize in podcasting for this? You know: like Spotify does.

if this is a preview of their paid podcasting service I’m not interested

I agree, it sounds awful.

 

[Spock]

So funny it's called "podcasts" after the original iPod.
Can you even get an iPod anymore?
Oh wait, it's Tim Apple, he's selling a zillion SKU's, of course you can get an iPod!

iPod touch - Official Apple Support

Learn how to set up and use your iPod touch. Find all the topics, resources, and contact options you need for your iPod touch.

www.apple.com

I feel so sad for anyone getting one of those, what a letdown.

These things are all over retail, ticket sales and warehouses. I’m guessing that’s a big reason why it still exists, when you register for a wedding at Target in the US you use an iPod Touch with a scanner case.

 

[newyorksole]

They blew the budget and couldn’t pay someone for a proper logo?

Yoooo I literally came in to say the SAME thing lmao this logo is so unlike Apple. At least make the second word a thinner font. This doesn’t look good at all haha.

 

[newyorksole]

I was thinking the exact same thing! What is that scribbled "o" supposed to be? I really don't love Apple's integration "handwritten" text in their marketing materials since the introduction of the Apple Pencil...looks cheap.

Too funny that a few of us had the same thoughts.

 

[twinlight]

Really interesting material there..

If this is a thing they incorporate in Podcast+ they will have to promote some better podcasts.