Apple is slowly building its empire of subscription services for everything from news and fitness to TV and cloud storage. But Apple has dragged its feet over podcasts, which is odd as the company makes the creation and distribution of podcasts popular over [checks notes] 16 years ago. Apple is reportedly coming to a podcast subscription service, but it could also create more antitrust headaches for a company already plagued by them.
With reference to sources familiar with the subject, the information Friday reported that Apple is launching a paid subscription service for podcasts. It’s not clear how a subscriber model would work, but the information noted that charging fees for specific podcasts could help the pockets of content creators and attract talent, perhaps even away from existing platforms. Alternatively, if Apple pays for a premium version of its podcasts app – let’s now call it Podcasts + – it could possibly do so with its Apple One bundles and use it to secure subscribers to other premium applications in its portfolio, such as Arcade or Apple Music.
Apple has denied the request for comment from Gizmodo.
The discussions may not be final, and according to the information, Apple may change its mind. But there is certainly enough reason to believe that Apple is heading in this direction. Apple has made services a big part of its product development over the past few years, some with their own pipeline of original content, such as with Apple TV + and Fitness +. Last year, the company reportedly made its efforts around original podcasts, which reportedly involve programs using the TV + content, Bloomberg. report at that point. It also has grabbed podcast curation tool Scout FM last fall, and Apple was said it was among the companies that investigated a acquisition of Wondery finally bought by Amazon.
But it would be a strange step for a company that is constantly involved in antitrust drama. Especially when it comes to Spotify – which will be one of the main competitors for a Podcasts + service – the company may be working on a years long feud, which is unlikely to help Apple’s position in other antitrust cases (although it is mainly focused on the controversial issue App Store Policy). And Apple knows it’s hot water here too. The company’s annual filing this month is unclear as the board assesses the company’s antitrust risk ‘regularly’.
A podcast subscription would be a major reversal of Apple’s historic practical approach to podcasts, which were creators of podcasts. worried about just a few years ago. But again, a premium podcast app would fit in perfectly with Apple’s own product portfolio and could attract paying subscribers to its own app from those of its competitors. And the chance to launch another service may be too attractive for Apple to pass up.
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