Apple will offer subscription-based audio content
Podcasts have become a popular way for reaching target audience through mobile platforms and apps such as Spotify and Apple Podcasts. While many applications are offering paid content, Apple currently has only a free option. Now we understand that in May this year, Apple is launching a redesigned podcast app, as part of the iOS 14.5 update.
So, Apple will also offer paid podcasts, but with a twist. Here is the deal. While Spotify, for example, allows you to browse and listen to any content you want, providing that you’ve paid the monthly fee, Apple Podcasts will offer a creator-based subscription. It means that the user can pay only to a specific podcast creator if it offers a premium service, of course. In this way, Apple would allow podcast channels to monetize their content, with Cupertino taking 30% of the revenue for the first year, and 15% afterwards.
The premium podcasts will cost $19.99 for a year, giving access to a specific creator. The new feature will become available in May 2021 in 170 countries, as part of the app update. Apple is also making some changes to the way users discover new podcasts, by presenting a new layout for channel discovery.
Do you listen to podcasts? What’s your favourite channel and would you pay $19.99 yearly?