The Wondery podcast studio has partnered up with Apple, according to The Hollywood Reporter, intending to bring its Wondery+ subscription service to the fledgling Apple Podcast Subscriptions platform. Wondery CEO Jen Sargent said in a statement that this subscription offering opens up new opportunities for the podcast industry.
Wondery+ offers subscribers ad-free listening along with early access to shows and exclusive episodes in exchange for $4.99/month or $34.99/year. Don’t worry, Wondery’s free, ad-driven podcasts shall remain available on the platform.
Apple TV+, which is Apple’s video streaming service, is developing a new limited series based on the crash of the WeWork startup. Interestingly enough, that one is based on the Wondery podcast titled “WeCrashed: The Rise and Fall of WeWork.”
What’s the Deal With Apple Podcasts Subscriptions?
Apple Podcasts Subscriptions is a podcast subscription service, unveiled at Apple’s April 2021 product event, designed for the company’s Apple Podcasts platform.
Billed as a “global marketplace for listeners to discover premium subscriptions offered by their favorite creators,” it’s launching later this month—probably alongside iOS 14.6. The service will let listeners in more than 170 countries and regions sign up for subscriptions to help fund their favorite shows from independent creators.
A subscription to the Luminary channel, available at launch, will let you access the new Midnight Miracle original series hosted by Talib Kweli, Yasiin Bey, and Dave Chappelle.
Major branded shows from the likes of The Athletic, NPR, and others will also be offered.
Apple is yet to reveal pricing tiers. According to a press release in the Apple Newsroom, the company will be charging $20 per year for the Apple Podcasters Program backend. Apple is said to be taking its standard 30 percent surcharge from creator revenues.
An Apple Podcasts Subscription includes some cool perks, such as early or exclusive access to new podcast series, no advertising, and more. Other companies offer premium podcasts behind paywalls as well, but Apple is no ordinary company.
Having taken podcasts mainstream 15 years ago, Apple remains a major player in this space although significant investments by rival Spotify in podcasting have eroded its lead lately.
