As well as the introduction of subscriptions, the Apple Podcasts app will have a new design and layout and there is a new version of Apple Podcast Connect for podcasters.

The new changes will come in with the IOS 14.5 update. But what do the Apple Podcast changes actually mean for listeners and podcasters? We’ve broken it down for you in an easy guide below.

What will the new Apple Podcasts app design look like?

The new Apple Podcasts app looks quite different.

‘Channels’ is designed to help listeners find new shows based on the content you already listen to (think about music apps, that offer ‘Radio stations’). There will also be channels of podcasts recommended or curated by the makers of popular shows.

‘Curation’ is broader and will help listeners find recommendations from Apple. It will show collections linked to trending news stories, culturally relevant topics, and outstanding new podcasts, curated by the Apple editors.

There will still be a ‘Top Shows’ section, which will showcase the charts of most-listened shows.

Apple have also said that shows and episodes will have “beautiful new pages”.

There will also be small changes to the way you listen to shows. A ‘smart play’ feature starts with the right episodes of shows – for example the most recent episode of a news show, or the first episode of a limited series.

And because of the paid-for subscriptions, the old ‘Subscribe’ button has changed to ‘Follow’.

What is Apple Podcasts Subscriptions?

The premium subscriptions will be in addition to the millions of free podcasts and will be available directly through the Apple Podcasts app.  This means there will now be three different ways to keep up to date with your favourite shows.

The Free option or ‘Follow’ will still download all new, free episodes for you to listen to.

With the Freemium, you can pay for extra episodes, early access or ad-free episodes for some podcasts.

The Paid option will be for podcasts that are only available for paid subscribers.

What does Apple’s paid subscriptions mean for listeners?

For listeners who use Apple Podcasts, the new version should be still be simple to use and might make it easier to find new shows you enjoy. ‘Follow’ lets you listen to podcasts in the same way you are currently used to. The Freemium content might be a nice way to give some support to podcasts you love. When you pay to ‘Subscribe’,  your feed will become a ‘Subscriber edition’ with extra features, and Apple will take the payment (in the same way they do with paid-for apps).

But not all podcasts will have a paid-for option, just the podcasts that opt-in, so there might not be much change for listeners initially.

What does Apple’s paid subscriptions mean for podcast creators?

As a podcaster, if you want to list Freemium or Paid podcasts, you will have to enrol in the new Apple Podcasters Program and there’s a US $19.99/year fee to do so. Apple Podcasts will also take a 30% commission of the subscription price for a subscriber’s first year (dropping to 15% in the second year).

Even if you don’t sign up, you might want to think about your call-to-action for listeners. “Rate, review and subscribe…” might not be suitable anymore.

The Subscription format may work well for bigger podcast companies. Luminary, which already offers exclusive content on their own app, will be making their content available on Apple Podcasts subscription. This should mean their content can reach a much wider audience.

It’s also worth noting that paid podcasts are hosted by Apple, not by your podcast host. If you want it available to listeners on other platforms, you’ll still have to upload it and have payment options elsewhere.

Do I need to do anything about the new Apple Podcast updates?

For the moment, listeners don’t need to do anything. When the updates come to the Apple Podcasts app, listeners will still be ‘following’ all their free podcast feeds.

For podcasters, to start charging for extra content you need to log into (the new) Apple Podcasts Connect.

But you might want to wait a bit – according to Pod News it appears there are a few bugs, including shows disappearing entirely from Apple Podcasts!

—

To find out more about the Apple Podcasts updates, head to the new Apple Podcasts for Creators website.  Let us know what you think about the new Apple Podcast Subscription on Twitter.

The post What do Apple Podcasts’ changes mean? appeared first on POD BIBLE.

Pod Bible: How did you come to be part of the Podcast Maker Weekend?

Sarah Myles: I think the first stages [of my work on Podcast Maker Weekend] were late 2019; I had been running RISE & SHINE for a while and was asked to speak at one of the Podcast Maker Weekend events for that year’s festival. This next bit I’m not proud of – I hate glamourising binge drinking and for the record, have had maybe 7 drinks all lockdown but there was free alcohol backstage and I ended up drinking way, way too much. I have vague memories of sort of cornering Martin and slurring “we should definitely collaborate”. Believe it or not, it actually worked and we started conversations about doing just that. Fast forward to the start of lockdown, Martin began running Maker livestreams and I took the RISE & SHINE events online. There was a lot of promoting each other’s streams on socials. Martin then reached out about bringing RISE & SHINE into the weekend this year and of course I jumped at the opportunity (especially as it meant getting to give back to Kings Place who hosted RISE & SHINE events back in the pre-lockdown days).

Martin Zaltz Austwick: I created it in 2017.

PB: Knowing that Podcast Maker Weekend started in 2017, how has it grown over the years?

Martin: It’s got bigger, brought in more varied and diverse topics and speakers, and even ran as a weekly stream in the early months of 2020’s lockdown. In 2019, I worked with a team of volunteers, and in 2020 it was great to partner with Sarah/RISE & SHINE for the first time.

PB: How do you create a virtual event for the COVID-19 world?

Sarah: If you want to run a stream, I would say to make sure you mentally prepare yourself to not feel bad if/when glitches happen. The other key points are: You can really get some dream speakers as everyone is just sitting around their house so take full advantage of that. It also means that while the excuses for doing things like all white panels was never acceptable, you will really be seen for what you are if you try that with a virtual event. On the diversity and inclusion note, closed captions can make events so much more accessible, it’s just a case of switching them on in YouTube. I use them for R&S events and have even had live captions during an event at the RISE & SHINE festival earlier in lockdown. Guarding yourself from Zoom bombings is important, Zoom have been working hard to prevent this but I like streaming to YouTube, then using the chat box on YouTube for questions. YouTube has worked well for R&S as it means videos can be accessed at any time. Finally, have backup internet. The internet seems worse during lockdown, doesn’t it? I’m sure a 5G conspiracy theorist may have an answer for why but whatever’s going on, just have a backup or set someone to co-host the meeting in Zoom.

PB: What were your priorities going into creating the sessions for Podcast Maker Weekend this year?

Martin: Providing some great sessions that will attract beginners and more experienced makers, too – reaching out to some of the best British makers as well as some incredibly talented international creators. Representing fiction, discussion, sound design, technique, art, and the business side of audiomaking.

Sarah: Understanding that everyone has varying levels of productivity during lockdown. Maybe you want to start a podcast right now or maybe you (like me most of the time) are plain tired and getting some tips on pitching will give you food for thought to set into action when you’re feeling a bit better. Selfishly, I also created some talks that I just want to see as a podcast producer.

PB: What do you hope participants will take away from the weekend?

Martin: A love for the art and technique of audio, and some practical skills for creating audio in exchange for money.

Sarah: This is so cheesy, but confidence. If I hear “there are too many podcasts” one more time, I’ll burst. I want people to make podcasts or at the very least, know that they can and that their ideas are worthwhile.

PB: Where can people learn more about the weekend?

Martin: podcastmakerweekend.com, or on our Twitter.

Sarah: I hope this self promo isn’t too shameless, but if you’ve gone to the effort of logging into Twitter, are interested in learning about podcasting, RISE & SHINE is @riseshineaudio or you can sign up to the mailing list at riseandshineaudio.com where I send out mailers about this and other events.

The post Podcast Maker Weekend 2020 appeared first on POD BIBLE.