Apple reportedly explored subscription service for podcasts

Apple has slowly built its empire of subscription services for everything from news and fitness to TV and cloud storage. But Apple has dragged its feet on podcasts, which is odd considering the company popularized the creation and distribution of podcasts on [checks notes] 16 years ago. Apple is reportedly in the process of launching a podcast subscription service, but it could also create more antitrust headaches for a company already plagued by these.

Citing sources familiar with the subject, information Apple reported on Friday that Apple was in talks to launch a paid subscription service for podcasts. It’s unclear how a subscription model would work, but the News noted that charging fees for specific podcasts could line the pockets of content creators and could help attract talent, perhaps even away from the platforms. existing forms. Alternatively, if Apple were to charge for a premium version of its podcast app – let’s call it Podcasts + for now – it could potentially bundle it with its Apple one bundles and use it to help secure subscribers for other premium apps in his wallet, like Arcade or Apple Music.

Apple declined Gizmodo’s request for comment.

Discussions may not be final and Apple may change its mind, according to the Information. But there are certainly plenty of reasons to believe that Apple is heading in this direction. Apple has made services a significant part of product development in recent years, some with their own original content pipeline, such as with Apple TV + and Fitness +. The company also reportedly ramped up its efforts around original podcasts last year, which rumored to involve programming drawn from its TV + content, Bloomberg. reported at the time. This too broken Scout FM podcast curation tool last fall, and Apple was said to have been among the companies that explored an acquisition of Wondery, which was finally bought by Amazon.

But it would be a strange move for a company constantly embroiled in antitrust drama. Particularly with regard to Spotify – which is said to be one of the main competitors of a Podcasts + service – the company is potentially considering relaunching a multi-year quarrel, which probably won’t help Apple’s position in other antitrust cases (although these have primarily been aimed at its controversy App Store Policies). And Apple knows it’s in hot water here, too. The company’s annual filing this month in no uncertain terms acknowledges that its board of directors “regularly” reviews the company’s antitrust risks.

A podcast subscription would be a huge reversal of Apple’s historically practical approach to podcasts, which podcast makers were. preoccupied by just a few years ago. But, again, a premium podcast app would fit right into Apple’s own product portfolio and could attract paid subscribers to its own app over those of its competitors. And the possibility of launching another service may be too appealing to Apple.