Apple has now begun rolling out their Podcasts Subscriptions and channels feature to more 170 countries and regions worldwide. The launch was previously slated to launch in May, but was pushed to June as Apple wanted to bring certain changes and improvements to the platform.
The feature was announced during the Spring Loaded event that Apple held in April 2021. Apple introduced a redesigned Apple Podcast app, with a fresh, new interface and many features such as channels and Podcast Subscriptions.
With an active podcast subscription, listeners will see an updated page with a Subscriber Edition label to let them know of their access to premium content. Subscribers can get access to channels for their favourite podcasts and also get recommendations from the Listen Now and Browse tabs
The Listen Now tab will get expanded with new rows that provide easy access to all of the content included in the channel and with their subscription. There will also be a new row called My Channels, where listeners can browse and follow all of the shows offered by the channels they follow.
To get the new Apple Podcasts Subscriptions and channels, users will be required to be on Apple devices running iOS 14.6, iPadOS 14.6, and macOS 11.4 or later. Cost of subscriptions will be up to the creator themselves, with options of monthly or annual payments, and each Apple Podcasts Subscription can be shared with up to six family members.