Apple may be set to announce a new premium subscription service for its podcast offering during tomorrow’s ‘Spring Loaded’ event. An announcement such as this would likely help propel Apple as it competes with the likes of Spotify in the audio and podcast service.
As reported by 9to5Mac, Vox Media‘s Peter Kafka tweeted that he believes a new subscription service may be announced during Apple’s upcoming event. If true, this would be the first new addition to Apple’s premium services after the release of Apple Fitness+ in December 2020.
While we are here: Pretty sure Apple is prepping its own podcast plan – a paid subscription service – on Tuesday. pic.twitter.com/w12tWqg0yo
— Peter Kafka (@pkafka) April 18, 2021
Apple has been experimenting with offering its own original podcast content. To supplement Apple TV+’s ‘For All Mankind’, Apple released ‘For All Mankind: The Official Podcast’ on Apple Podcasts. Apple has also recently announced ‘The Line’, a six-part narrative nonfiction podcast series hosted by Dan Taberski. With the introduction of a paid tier system, Apple could be revving up to deliver additional content to listeners.
A move such as this would be in direct response to Spotify’s aggressive plan to attach talented podcast hosts. Over the last year, Spotify has signed Joe Rogen, Michelle Obama, Bill Simmons, Kim Kardashian, and many more.
There’s still no word on whether this paid subscription service will come with its own app or if it will be built into the existing Apple Podcasts app. Additionally, one must wonder if Apple plans to immediately incorporate it into Apple One bundle or offer it as an extension to the paid Apple Music plans.
Apple’s ‘Spring Loaded’ event will take place April 20 at 1 PM ET/10 AM PT.
