William Gallagher
Users of Apple's Podcast app will now see options to subscribe to shows, where the creators have chosen to support subscriptions.
Apple has now launched its delayed podcast subscriptions service. As of June 15, 2021, when a user of Apple's own Podcast app goes to a show page, they can be offered a subscription option.
Not all shows are doing this, and so far there are slight variations between those that do. Most typically, the subscription offer means that listeners will get a version of the podcast without ads.
The amount show creators are charging for the subscription varies greatly, too. Then there's typically a trial period where a listener can get the subscription benefits before paying.
That's currently varying from 3 to 7 days, and is the choice of the show's creators.
Show creators have been able to set up subscription details since the original announcement in April 2021. However, the announced May launch was delayed because of chiefly unspecified problems.
Apple did tell creators that there were issues with the Podcasts Connect service, which is how shows are delivered to Apple. Perhaps separately, iOS 14.5 introduced multiple bugs to Apple's Podcasts app.
Keep up with everything Apple in the weekly AppleInsider Podcast — and get a fast news update from AppleInsider Daily. Just say, "Hey, Siri," to your HomePod mini and ask for these podcasts, and our latest HomeKit Insider episode too. If you want an ad-free main AppleInsider Podcast experience, you can support the AppleInsider podcast by subscribing for $5 per month through Apple's Podcasts app, or via Patreon if you prefer any other podcast player. AppleInsider is also bringing you the best Apple-related deals for Amazon Prime Day 2021. There are bargains before, during, and even after Prime Day on June 21 and 22 — with every deal at your fingertips throughout the event.
Christine McKee
AppleInsider Staff
Chip Loder
Malcolm Owen
6 Comments
I was excited about paying for multiple podcasts, so I've just checked them out, and the typical price is $9.99/month for a tech podcast. That's twice as expensive as Apple TV+, but for a single podcaster. Now I'm not so sure about the whole idea.
On the positive side, I found a podcaster that isn't available in my country normally, so I'm able to get that now. This could be a way to get around the restrictions on media that stops certain media from crossing international borders.
Uhoh, I just learned that when you pay for podcasts, that doesn't mean the podcaster provides "ad free" podcasts. I just listened to one that was 20% ads. This might force me to cancel my subscriptions. I thought paying for podcasts would mean they were free of ads. But if I can't get this podcast in my country any other way, I might settle for the ads.
It seems odd that the example photo shows pricing in both dollars and pounds?