SEARCH DATE RANGE

SEARCH TERM OR WORD

Apple leads the next chapter of podcasting with Apple Podcasts Subscriptions 20 Apr 2021

Major updates to Apple Podcasts make discovering and enjoying podcasts better than ever before
 
 
Apple today unveiled Apple Podcasts Subscriptions, a global marketplace for listeners to discover premium subscriptions offered by their favourite creators alongside millions of free shows on Apple Podcasts.
 
Starting in May, listeners in more than 170 countries and regions can sign up for premium subscriptions that include a variety of benefits curated by creators, such as ad-free listening, access to additional content, and early or exclusive access to new series. Listeners will be able to enjoy premium subscriptions from independent voices and premier studios, including Tenderfoot TV, Pushkin Industries, Radiotopia from PRX, and QCODE, to leading media and entertainment brands, including NPR, the Los Angeles Times, The Athletic, Sony Music Entertainment, and many more.
 
"Fifteen years ago, Apple took podcasts mainstream, offering creators a premier, open platform to inform, entertain, and inspire hundreds of millions of listeners around the world," said Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. "Today, Apple Podcasts is the best place for listeners to discover and enjoy millions of great shows, and we are proud to lead the next chapter of podcasting with Apple Podcasts Subscriptions. We're excited to introduce this powerful new platform to creators around the world, and we can't wait to hear what they make with it."
 
Also next month, listeners will be able to discover channels, which are groups of shows curated by creators with unique titles, descriptions, and artwork. Just as they can with shows, listeners will be able to browse free channels, which make it easy to find more shows from their favourite creators, as well as paid channels and channels that provide additional benefits for subscribers.
 
With iOS 14.5, listeners can access a redesigned Apple Podcasts app featuring an enhanced Search tab that provides quick access to Top Charts and categories. Apple Podcasts also features beautiful new pages for every show and episode to make it easier to follow, listen, and share.
 
The new Apple Podcasts for Creators website helps creators learn more about podcasting, stay informed about the latest news and features, and explore in-depth guides with best practices. Starting today, all creators can access an updated Apple Podcasts Connect dashboard, which has new features that make it easier to manage shows on Apple Podcasts, including the ability to edit metadata, schedule and manage show availability, organise shows into channels, manage multiple users and roles, and learn how listeners are engaging with their shows through new performance metrics and visualisation tools. From Apple Podcasts Connect, creators can enrol in the new Apple Podcasters Program, which provides access to all the tools needed to build and distribute premium subscriptions on Apple Podcasts.
 
Creators Share Their Enthusiasm for the Next Chapter of Podcasting with Apple Podcasts Subscriptions
Podcasts have made it possible for creators to share their voices with listeners around the world. Apple Podcasts Subscriptions takes this unique relationship to the next level by offering creators a way to tighten the bond with their most engaged listeners:
 
Imriel Morgan, founder and CEO of Content is Queen: "We are always looking for ways to engage our community more directly, with inspiration and connection through our shows. The opportunity to invite our listeners on Apple Podcasts to become supporters in a simple, accessible way is transformative for our mission and our business."
 
Donald Albright, president and co-founder of Tenderfoot TV: "With TenderfootPlus+, we're able to provide our listening community with even more of what they want — exclusive, early-access, and ad-free listening for our tentpole titles and new shows. Launching this subscription on Apple Podcasts, where the large majority of our listeners engages with us each week, makes it easy for the Tenderfoot audience to seamlessly upgrade to the best experience."
 
Alex Mather, founder and CEO of The Athletic: "Our team loves bringing deeply immersive storytelling to maniacal sports fans around the world, and our listeners tune in to over a million hours of sports news, analysis, and storytelling each week. We know true sports fans are always looking for stories about their clubs and teams told through a new lens, and with Apple Podcasts Subscriptions, we can deliver even more great stories in an all-new way, ad free, directly through Apple Podcasts."
 
Podcasts have also become an important way to understand what's 
happening in the world. Listeners turn to podcasts to make sense of major moments in news and culture. With Apple Podcasts Subscriptions, listeners gain a simple and intuitive way to support quality programming from newspapers, magazines, digital publishers, local radio stations, and more, directly from Apple Podcasts:
John F. Lansing, president and CEO of NPR: "Apple has been a valued partner to our podcasting work since it all started back in 2005, and we support their plan to enable a new revenue source for content creators on their platform. Apple Podcasts Subscriptions will provide another opportunity for listeners to support their favourite podcasters at NPR and our Member stations in our mission to create a more informed public."
 
Chris Argentieri, president and chief operating officer of the Los Angeles Times: "Subscriptions have always been an important source of support for our business, and podcasting has established itself as a powerful medium for large audiences to engage with our brand of journalism and storytelling. The ability to marry the two with Apple Podcasts Subscriptions will allow us to expand our audio offerings to cover new formats, stories, communities, and more."
 
Stefan Ottlitz, co-CEO and head of Product for Der Spiegel, one of the top news publishers in Germany: "Audio is a uniquely powerful medium that provides Der Spiegel an opportunity to deeply engage audiences so they can form a meaningful relationship with our brand. We're pleased to see this significant investment in podcasting from Apple, which will open doors to new, long-term revenue opportunities that will further empower us to pursue even more ambitious independent audio journalism."
 
With Apple Podcasts Subscriptions, the freedom to develop and enjoy entirely new audio storytelling experiences will redefine podcasting in ways that are surprising and gratifying for creators and listeners alike:
Dennis Kooker, president of Global Digital Business and US Sales at Sony Music Entertainment: "Apple is putting creators first with their approach to the subscription model. Offering subscriptions provides new flexibility and options for consumers, and is an important addition to helping creators better monetise their works. All of this will lead to more investment and even better shows for podcast fans."
 
Steve Ackerman, chief content officer and vice chairman of Somethin' Else: "The power of podcasting is in the communities it creates and so we're incredibly excited about the potential for subscriptions on the scale that's possible with Apple Podcasts. We believe that subscriptions have a powerful part to play as more and more listeners discover and enjoy podcasts, and this will be another huge step forward for the audio industry and its role within the entertainment landscape."
 
Malcolm Gladwell and Jacob Weisberg, co-founders of Pushkin Industries: "Podcasting totally changed my approach to storytelling, and Apple Podcasts Subscriptions is a mind shift," said Gladwell, who also hosts Revisionist History. "Our producers and I have so many ideas that don't fit into existing models but will now have an outlet. This is a big step forward in the evolution of the audio content business, and we are excited about it." Added Weisberg, "Podcasting exists, and thrives, today because of Apple. Apple Podcasts Subscriptions will help us connect more deeply with our listeners and build a healthy business. We strongly believe that paid subscriptions are what independent creators like us need to succeed and thrive over the long term, and we're thrilled that Apple is taking the lead."
 
Pricing and Availability
  • Apple Podcasts Subscriptions will be available to listeners in over 170 countries and regions in May. Specific software requirements for Apple Podcasts Subscriptions and channels will be shared ahead of availability.
  • Pricing for each subscription is set by creators and billed monthly by default. Creators can additionally offer annual billing, which subscribers can manage from their Apple ID account settings, now accessible from Listen Now. Listeners will also be able to access free trials and sample episodes offered by creators.
  • Through Family Sharing, up to six family members can share a subscription.
  • Listeners will be able to access the enhanced Search tab with Top Charts and categories, new show and episode pages with the Smart Play button, and Saved Episodes on iOS 14.5, iPadOS 14.5, and macOS 11.3. Saved Episodes are also available on watchOS 7.4 and tvOS 14.5. These software updates will be available next week.
  • The Apple Podcasters Program, which includes all of the tools needed to offer premium subscriptions on Apple Podcasts, is available to creators in over 170 countries and regions for £17.99 per year. Creators can enrol in the Apple Podcasters Program today through Apple Podcasts Connect.
  • Apple Podcasts features more than 2 million free shows and is available for free on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, HomePod mini, CarPlay, iTunes on Windows, and other smart speakers and car systems.
Apple revolutionised personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV. Apple's five software platforms — iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay and iCloud. Apple's more than 100,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.

NEWS & PRESS

04 Jul 2025 | Press release

Tickets For Good announces launch of Belgian business at Wallifornia, opens £3m funding round

  The Wallifornia Conference Startups alumni returns to reveal latest expansion news. TfG recipients include some 500k registered healthcare workers, teachers, and charity workers across UK, EU and U.S. It's distributed 1million+ free and discounted tickets from 1,000+ live event partners, including Dua...more

04 Jul 2025 | Press release

Lewis Capaldi surprises fans in London's Covent Garden to launch 'Room to Reflect' meditation booth with TikTok

  SCOTTISH SUPERSTAR PARTNERS WITH TIKTOK TO ENCOURAGE THE NATION TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RESET FROM  EVERYDAY LIFE   The ‘Room to Reflect’ experience was narrated by Lewis Capaldi, offering a sanctuary from the London daily grind to meditate and escape the...more

04 Jul 2025 | Press release

Beatport Live Launches 'The Block'

A Touring Container Stage Spotlighting Emerging DJs at Junction 2, Creamfields, and The Prospect Building  Over the last five years, more than 400 nightclubs have closed in Britain and Beatport recognises the urgent need to offer more than just a digital...more

04 Jul 2025 | Press release

BDi Music signs exclusive worldwide publishing deal with Paige Bea

Bea is a sought after musician, songwriter, DJ and emerging producer.   BDi Music has signed artist and songwriter Paige Bea to an exclusive worldwide publishing deal.  Paige Bea is a London-born musician, songwriter, DJ and emerging producer. Originally trained as an opera...more

04 Jul 2025 | Press release

Bandcamp Daily's Summer 2025 Hotlist Spotlights Its Most Anticipated New Releases

Open Mike Eagle, Wet Leg, Kokoroko, Alex G, Susumu Yokota and more are all featured in the Summer 2025 Hotlist    Bandcamp Daily, the editorial arm of the world’s largest online music marketplace and community, has released its 2025 Summer Hotlist, a curated collection...more

04 Jul 2025 | Press release

Universal Music Greater China announces strategic global alliance with "Godfather of Mandarin R&B" David Tao and his company Great Entertainment

Universal Music Group to Release David Tao’s New Studio Album STUPID POP SONGS, with Physical Pre-Orders Opening Soon   Universal Music Greater China (UMGC), a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announced a strategic global...more

04 Jul 2025 | Press release

David Bowie Centre - V&A Announces More Detail, plus The Last Dinner Party and Nile Rodgers

From guest-curated displays to unrealised projects, the V&A announces new details on the David Bowie Centre - opening at the V&A East Storehouse on 13 September 2025 A new home for David Bowie's archive – V&A East Storehouse's David Bowie Centre – gets...more

03 Jul 2025 | Press release

WMA announces expansion of UK & European Publicity, Social and Marketing Divisions

Andy Saiker appointed as Head of PR, Social & Marketing (UK & Europe) Global digital marketing and creative agency, WMA are delighted to announce the appointment of Andy Saiker as Head of PR, Social and Marketing (UK & Europe), effective immediately....more

03 Jul 2025 | Press release

Tems Launches The Leading Vibe Initiative, Empowering the Next Generation of Women in Music

APPLICATION DEADLINE THIS JULY 13TH   Two-time GRAMMY® Award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer, Tems announces today the launch of the Leading Vibe Initiative, a groundbreaking platform designed to support, connect and amplify young women in music across Africa, with a vision to...more

03 Jul 2025 | Press release

WeAre8 Announces 8fest: The World's First Social Media Music Festival, curated by industry insiders

The next generation of music talent is about to transform your social feed experience. WeAre8, the social media bringing social and economic freedom to artists worldwide, today unveils 8fest - a global, three-day virtual festival running next week from11-13 July 2025,...more

03 Jul 2025 | Press release

The Money Trench - The Music Industry Podcast celebrates its first anniversary with two new headline sponsors

The podcast curated by Mark Sutherland and executive producer Mike Walsh will launch its 50th episode with the support of SoundOn and Tixel    The Money Trench – The Music Industry Podcast with Mark Sutherland (‘TMT’), is celebrating its first anniversary with...more

03 Jul 2025 | Press release

Cyanite and ON AIR strengthen partnership to deliver AI-driven insights for playlist curation in MusicMaster Scheduling

To redefine music programming for broadcasters and audio platforms, ON AIR has integrated Cyanite's industry-leading AI music tagging into the familiar MusicMaster Scheduling environment. This collaboration unlocks entirely new, data-driven pathways for playlist curation, helping radio stations and content creators...more

03 Jul 2025 | Press release

Warner Music buys Skorpioni Music's catalogue

Independent label's strong legacy in Finnish music will endure   Warner Music Finland has bought the catalog of renowned independent record company Skorpioni, which had announced earlier this year that it would be ceasing operations.   This is a significant transition in the local...more

03 Jul 2025 | Press release

Bauer Media Audio Appoints Paul Eldon as Director of Measurement

Bauer Media Audio has appointed Paul Eldon as Director of Measurement, reinforcing its commitment to innovation and trust in audio measurement across all its markets.   Paul brings over 15 years of experience in media measurement, audience analytics and advertising technology. He...more

03 Jul 2025 | Press release

Music industry unites to raise over £715,000 for Nordoff and Robbins Music Therapy at O2 Silver Clef awards

David Gilmour, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Mika, The Last Dinner Party, The Corrs, Chase & Status and more honoured at glittering evening ceremony at JW Marriott Grosvenor House The UK music industry joined together tonight to honour some of its most iconic and...more

02 Jul 2025 | Press release

The Beatles' Apple Corps Ltd. Announces Tom Greene as New CEO

Today, Apple Corps Ltd. announces the appointment of Tom Greene as Chief Executive Officer, effective September 2025.  Since 1968, Apple Corps Ltd. has overseen The Beatles’ creative and business interests. During that time The Beatles – John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George...more

02 Jul 2025 | Press release

Tees Reborn: Bravado's Radical Upcycling Project Aims to Thread a Greener Future for Merch Business

More than 400,000 leftover tour t-shirts will be respun into new items and sold on tours this fall   Bravado, the world's leading artist merchandise and lifestyle company, announced today the launch of an ambitious program to upcycle obsolete or unsold t-shirts...more

02 Jul 2025 | Press release

BandLab Expands Licensing Platform to Connect Artists and Rights Holders to AI Companies, Opening the Door to Legal AI Music Models

BandLab, the world's largest social music creation platform, today announced a major expansion of BandLab Licensing (licensing.bandlab.com), introducing a structure with clear guidelines that allows artists, labels, and publishers to signal interest in licensing their music to train AI models....more

02 Jul 2025 | Press release

Warner Music Group and Bain Capital announce launch of joint venture to invest up to $1.2 billion in iconic music catalogs

  Warner Music Group (NASDAQ: WMG), the global music entertainment company, and Bain Capital, a leading global private investment firm, are launching a joint venture to allow for the purchase of up to $1.2 billion of legendary music catalogs across both recorded music...more

02 Jul 2025 | Press release

Chrysalis Records announces Tina McBye as Senior Vice President, Commercial Music Operations

Chrysalis Records, which is part of the Reservoir group of companies, has announced the promotion of Tina McBye to the position of Senior Vice President, Commercial Music Operations. Based in the company’s London offices Tina will report directly to Alison Wenham,...more

02 Jul 2025 | Press release

BRIT School Chair of Trustees Josh Berger CBE Hosts Fundraiser Event at Ronnie Scott's for the UK's leading free Arts School

Current and former students staged a showcase - representing all areas of the creative industries from dance and music to spoken word and musical theatre. Former student and Ivor Novello award winning songwriter, Dan Gillespie Sells performed, and newly graduated rising...more

02 Jul 2025 | Press release

RSA announces David Joseph CBE as new Chief Executive Officer

Former Chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK to lead Royal Society of Arts into bold new future The Royal Society of Arts (RSA) is delighted to announce the appointment of David Joseph CBE as its new CEO. David will formally...more

02 Jul 2025 | Press release

Exclusive after show tickets released for sold-out Ladies Who Rock event

  In addition, an online auction offers chance to win works from top contemporary artists, as well as film memorabilia, and VIP experiences    Now in its 5th year, Ladies Who Rock fundraiser which takes place on 10 July at Hotel Café Royal...more

02 Jul 2025 | Press release

TikTok and Tomorrowland announce a global partnership to bring the best of electronic music to global audiences

TikTok today announces a new partnership deal with Tomorrowland (7m followers), the world-famous electronic dance music festival, to deliver unprecedented digital festival experiences for global music fans.   The new wide-ranging, year-long partnership will see TikTok serve as Tomorrowland's Official Content Partner, offering 24/7 festival...more

02 Jul 2025 | Press release

The UK's Official biggest songs and albums of 2025 so far revealed

Alex Warren overtakes Lola Young to land the biggest single of the year so far with Ordinary (OCC)Sam Fender scoops the biggest new album release of 2025 Sabrina Carpenter's Short N' Sweet deluxe edition and UK tour keeps her in front in...more

01 Jul 2025 | Press release

Open letter from WIN CEO to European Commission Vice-President Teresa Ribera

Executive Vice-President Teresa Ribera European CommissionRue de la Loi / Wetstraat 2001049 BrusselsBelgium 30 June 2025 Dear Ms. Ribera, I am writing regarding the investigation by the Directorate-General for Competition into the proposed acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings LLC (Downtown) by Universal...more

01 Jul 2025 | Press release

Taylor Swift and Charli XCX Help Attract Record 23.5 Million Music Tourists Spending £10 Billion at UK Music Events - New Report Reveals

UK Music Calls on Communities to Get Behind Music in new Hometown Glory Report    Taylor Swift, Charli XCX, Bruce Springsteen, Sam Fender and Dua Lipa helped lure a record 23.5 million music tourists to concerts and festivals in the UK in 2024, a...more

01 Jul 2025 | Press release

BMG Brings Seeed catalog under one roof

  BMG has acquired the artist and label rights of the German band Seeed. The agreement covers their first five albums: New Dubby Conquerors (2001), Music Monks (2003), Next! (2005), Live (2006), and Seeed (2012).    With the release of Bam...more

01 Jul 2025 | Press release

Amazon Launches the Ultimate Oasis Fan Destination

Plus Chance To Win Tickets To Live ‘25 tour   Amazon announces exclusive CD and Vinyl products available to pre-order on July 8 - with up to 15% off selected CD, Vinyl, and Merch for Prime members in celebration of Prime Day (July...more

01 Jul 2025 | Press release

Apple Music celebrates 10 years with the launch of a new global hub for artists designed to foster creativity and connection

Tune in to Apple Music Radio for a broadcast celebration with hosts Zane Lowe, Ebro Darden, and special guests as they reminisce about their favourite moments from the past 10 years while looking toward the future     As Apple Music marks its...more

THE HEADLINES

04 Jul 2025

  • V&A East Storehouse to open the David Bowie Centre (see News)

  • ESCA calls on the EU to block Universal Music’s deal to buy Downtown (see News)

  • Virgin Music CEOs push back against critics of Downtown Music deal (see News)

03 Jul 2025

  • Record labels are running on empty (see Opinion)

  • AI music is going viral, but it’s not what fans want (see Comment)

02 Jul 2025

  • The Velvet Sundown may be the first breakout AI band from Suno (see Digital)

  • Amid cuts, WMG to "continue to supercharge our capabilities in long-term artist, songwriter, and catalog development" (see Business)

01 Jul 2025

  • WIN CEO writes to European Commission Vice-President over Universal's acquisition of Downtown (see Comment)

  • If Spotify truly champions discovery, it should champion fair compensation from the first stream (see Comment)

30 Jun 2025

  • Selected Glastonbury coverage (see News, Features, Showbiz, Reviews)

27 Jun 2025

  • Streaming is both retail and radio – it shouldn’t be (see Comment)

  • Impala’s Helen Smith on UMG's planned Downtown acquisition (see Comment)

26 Jun 2025

  • Retiring Arista CEO David Massey shares his top 10 career highlights (see Features)

  • Budweiser’s royalty loophole ad: How AI and social have changed the value of creators (see Comment)

25 Jun 2025

  • When did making music get so lonely? (see Comment)

24 Jun 2025

  • How will Taylor Swift’s masters ownership saga be remembered? (see Audio&Visual)

23 Jun 2025

  • The copyright war between the AI industry and creatives (see Comment)

  • Interview: Lyor Cohen, the head of YouTube Music (see Features)