Apple has announced a significant expansion of its podcast offerings, introducing over 100 new shows from leading apps and services to the Apple Podcasts platform. Subscribers to Apple Music, Apple News+, and select apps like Calm and Lingokids will now be able to seamlessly link their subscriptions, granting access to a plethora of new content and enhanced features.
With the rollout of iOS 17, Apple Podcasts users are set to experience an array of fresh updates, including a revamped player interface, improved queue management, episode art visibility, refined search filters, and the integration of subscription connections to prominent apps.
Commencing immediately, subscribers to Apple Music, Apple News+, Calm, and Lingokids gain access to a library boasting over 60 original podcasts. This includes an impressive lineup of more than 2,500 musically enriched episodes sourced from Apple Music Radio. The promise of weekly launches throughout the fall anticipates an influx of diverse shows from top-tier apps and services. This new integration of subscriptions aims to position Apple Podcasts as a comprehensive hub for premium audio content, encompassing podcasts, news briefs, narrated articles, radio shows featuring full music tracks, educational courses, guided meditations, sleep sounds, and beyond.
Rachel Newman, Apple Music’s global head of editorial, expressed enthusiasm about the integration: “Apple Music is home to hundreds of original shows featuring the world’s top artists and tastemakers, and our listeners love them. There is truly something for everyone, which is why we’re excited to make it all available on Apple Podcasts, so subscribers can follow their favorites, save episodes to their library, get notified when new episodes are released, and listen offline across their devices.”
Lauren Kern, Apple News’s editor in chief, also highlighted the innovation, stating, “We’re excited to introduce Apple News+ Narrated for our subscribers. Now subscribers can enjoy narrated articles representing some of the best journalism from News+ publishers on Apple Podcasts as well as in Apple News.”
The seamless subscription connection process allows listeners to link their in-app subscriptions effortlessly. Upon connection, listeners gain access across a spectrum of Apple devices, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, HomePod, CarPlay, and Apple Watch with AirPods.
The update also enriches the discovery experience for users, presenting them with a diverse array of shows from various apps within the Apple Podcasts Library. Curated recommendations, personalized episode suggestions, and charts showcasing the most popular free and subscriber shows contribute to an enhanced listening journey.
Moving forward, Apple Podcasts will continue to expand its repertoire, welcoming subscriptions from esteemed apps such as Bloomberg, Curio, L’Équipe, Mamamia, Sleep Cycle, The Economist, The Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, WELT News, and Zen in the upcoming month.
Apple Music, known for its array of original shows across Apple Music 1, Apple Music Hits, and Apple Music Country, will further enrich its offerings with programming covering genres, artist-hosted shows, playlist features, narrative shows, and specials. The coverage of the 2024 Apple Music Halftime Show will also be available to subscribers on Apple Podcasts.
With an expansive range of content and seamless integration across subscriptions, Apple Podcasts solidifies its position as a one-stop destination for premium audio content, catering to diverse interests and preferences.
The future of podcast listening is set to evolve with these innovative changes, promising an enriched and immersive experience for Apple users.
For further details and the complete lineup of new shows, users can explore Apple Podcasts on their Apple devices.
Source: Apple Newsroom – Press Release – October 30, 2023
College Student
