According to an email reported by Reuters, Apple is delaying the launch of its podcast subscription service until June after several podcast creators experienced delays in their shows appearing after uploading them. With iOS 14.5, Apple updated the Podcast UI. Every podcast and episode has its own page to make it easy to follow, listen to, and share.
Apple announced in April that it would launch a service that would allow podcast makers to charge for their episodes, with Apple maintaining a 30% commission for the first year of a subscription and then decreasing it to 15%, comparable to its App Store. The service was supposed to launch with iOS 14.6 this month.
Premium subscriptions are now available for Apple Podcast listeners in over 170 countries and regions and provide a "range of benefits" handpicked by producers, such as ad-free listening, access to additional material, and exclusive or early access to new series, according to the Cupertino-based tech giant.
Premium memberships will be available from independent voices and studios such as Tenderfoot TV, Pushkin Industries, Radiotopia from PRX, QCODE, and prominent media and entertainment companies like the Los Angeles Times NPR, The Athletic, Sony Music Entertainment, and others.
With iOS 14.5, Apple updated the Podcast UI. Every podcast and episode has its own page to make it easy to follow, listen to, and share. Listeners can use the new Smart Play button to automatically begin episodic programming at the beginning of each series. Listeners may now store individual episodes for offline playback, making it simple to bookmark podcasts for later listening from Library.
Apple launched a podcast subscription service amid allegations that Spotify is about to do the same. Apple Podcasts will cost Rs 1,799 per year in India and will be available through the Podcasts app on iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV, and HomePod mini.
People can subscribe to participating podcasts through Apple's Podcasts subscriptions to gain extra benefits, including ad-free listening and early access to episodes. Apple said in April that the subscriptions would be available in 170 countries, with Pushkin Industries and NPR as early partners.
The rescheduled debut comes as several Apple podcast creators have recently experienced difficulties, such as not being able to log in to Apple's Podcast Connect platform or experiencing a delay in the release of new episodes. Apple claimed in an email sent Friday that it had resolved the "disruptions" that had caused issues.
The Verge obtained a copy of Apple's complete communication to developers, which you can read below.
We're writing to let you know that Apple Podcasts Subscriptions and channels are now available. We've been blown away by the response to our announcement last month, and it's amazing to see hundreds of new memberships and channels being filed every day from producers all over the world.
Apple Podcasts Subscriptions and channels will now begin in June to offer the best experience for artists and listeners. We'll keep you up to date on availability and best practices for preparing your subscriptions and channels.
Some producers have reported delays in the availability of their content and access to Apple Podcasts Connect in recent weeks.
