Apple Podcasts Subscriptions: Launch Date and What to Expect
Apple Podcasts Subscriptions with its new tier allow users to pay for premium podcasts and offer content creators another option to monetize their content.
Apple has recently announced the new tiers of its Podcasts Subscriptions that allow users subscribe to premium content. The rumor regarding this subscription service was in the air for some time. According to reports that came in January, the launch of this service was looking imminent. Finally, Apple has revealed its new tier for podcast subscription months later, providing a way for content creators to make the most out of this newly announced service.
The news is crucial for Apple Podcast subscriptions. Some latest projections are pointing that Spotify has surpassed Apple Podcasts’ listenership. This has happened for the very first time and Spotify is all set to establish itself as the leading service. The gargantuan investment that Spotify made into the podcasting medium seems to be on the cusp of paying off. The same report has projected that Apple is witnessing a huge fall regarding its podcasts’ listeners share.
Spotify has been spending massive money on podcasts for many years. The music streaming platform made sharp moves to acquire podcast networks like Anchor FM, Gimlet Media, and Parcast in 2019. Similarly, it made moves to purchase a sports podcast network, The Ringer. Later in the year 2020, Spotify came into the spotlight when it struck a big deal to acquire the Joe Rogan Experience podcast.
According to reports of eMarketer, the podcast listenership of Spotify is going to surpass the podcast listenership of Apple. The market research company has speculated that 28.2 million people will subscribe to Spotify Podcast every month compared to only 28 million listeners for Apple Podcasts. However, the margin is very slim, but a significant one and can’t be ignored.
The launch of the Apple Podcast Subscription is the apparent response to the music streaming platform Spotify. Apple Podcast Subscription is going to be rolled out in May across various countries. It will be introduced in more than 170 countries across the world. Pricing for subscriptions within the Apple Podcast subscription service will vary and depend on the podcast users wish to subscribe. Here, creators will set their cost for the subscription and may choose to bill users annually or monthly.
These podcasts, available on a subscription basis, will feature many things that will set them apart from any content available for free. For example, the users can access new content earlier, enjoy ad-free listening, and enjoy exclusive content additionally that comes under the Apple Podcast umbrella. Plus, it allows sharing the single subscription to six members in a family through its Family sharing.
Apple’s Subscription is to Bring More For Creators
While the avid listeners of podcasts might find the newly introduced paid subscription exciting, it has brought more implications for podcast creators. Podcast creators are going to learn more and more from the website Apple Podcasts for Creators. It has been designed as an information hub to help the creators to learn and know more about the industry.
Apple Podcasts Subscriptions will help the creators to learn more about the new features and their listeners. Creators will get access to in-depth guides allowing them to compare the episodes, track audience engagement and review the data of shows. It will further help them to monetize their shows.
Additionally, Apple allows creators to enroll in the Apple Podcasts Program for $19.99 annually and gain more help in distributing and designing their premium content. There is no restriction in registering for the program as both big and small podcasters can enroll themselves and offer paid subscriptions.
Undoubtedly, creators will need to play their part efficiently and create engaging content that can compel their viewers to subscribe to the podcast. Meanwhile, the tech giant has streamlined the ample opportunity efficiently to compensate the creators of all shapes and sizes.
Overall, the new creator program and service will encourage content creators to make engaging content that can compel users to pay for the subscription. Instead of spending extravagantly acquiring existing podcasts and content that Spotify has done, Apple has taken an entirely different route to get more subscribers. It focuses on the creators and helping them to come up with the most engaging and hit content by supplying the necessary tools.
Now, it will be interesting to see which strategy is going to be more successful. We will need to wait patiently for a time as only it knows what will happen. Amidst all, Both Spotify and Apple are doing everything to boost their presence and get more audience in the podcast space.
