Spotify Plans For Podcast Subscriptions, a la carte Payments

Spotify again signaled its interest in developing new ways to monetize its investments in podcasts. From a report: In the company's fourth-quarter earnings, chief executive Daniel Ek suggested the streaming media company foresees a future where there will be multiple business models for podcasts, including, potentially, both ad-supported subscriptions and a la carte options. We understand Spotify's plans for these expanded monetization models around podcasts could be introduced in some capacity later this month at its forthcoming "Stream On" livestream event. The company revealed during earnings its podcast catalog has grown to now 2.2 million programs, said itâ(TM)s seen increasing demand for the audio format in recent months. For example, 25% of Spotify's monthly active users now engage with podcasts, up from 22% just last quarter. Podcast consumption is also increasing, with listening hours having nearly doubled year-over-year in the fourth quarter.

Uh, you could also listen to podcasts for free

[Anonymous Coward]

There's this thing called RSS and basically every client ever supports it. I can donate directly to podcasters who ask for it, thereby knowing roughly how much they pocket.

Unlike those Amazon delivery tips.

Wait...I"m paying already...?

[cayenne8]

Ok I have a subscription right now, for no commercials.

I don't really listen to podcasts, just music....but are they saying that now they want to charge MORE for what they already have as part of the paid plan?

No thanks, if I wanna hear someone talk, I'll turn on the radio.

Re:

[laxguy]

havent you heard the ADs inserted into the middle of podcasts despite paying for a Premium Spotify account AND the podcasters running their own in-show ADs...

Re:

[Luckyo]

Wait, is that a thing? You pay for premium, and you still get ads?

I can get behind "podcast only" subscription or some such thing, and I don't mind option to donate through the system. Youtube et al already had such a system in place for a long time, this is Spotify just playing catch-up.

But forcing ads for premium paying customers is a scumbag move.

Re:

[OffTheWallSoccer]

I'm not a Spotify user, I just choose/play podcasts from the Google Podcast app.
What is the reason to use Spotify for podcasts? Are the podcasts only available on that platform, or is it just a convenient/clean app?

Seems like Spotify trying to charge for podcasts will drive users to other podcast platforms, as long the content is available outside of Spotify.

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[cayenne8]

What is the reason to use Spotify for podcasts? Are the podcasts only available on that platform, or is it just a convenient/clean app?

I don't listen to them.

But, I think Spotify has some of them that are exclusive to Spotify.

I think recently they got one signed on from some guy, Joe...Rogers, Rogen, or something....?

Re: Wait...I"m paying already...?

[Fembot]

Spotify screwing up their UI to push podcasts nobody wants is going to shaft their revenue from users who pay for the ad free music right now.

Re: Wait...I"m paying already...?

[klipclop]

I won't ever pay for a podcast either. I'd be loathed to turn on the radio instead too.

Re: Wait...I"m paying already...?

[NateFromMich]

So what are you going to do, huh? Put your own music on a usb drive? Oh yeah, I guess you could just do that.

Re:

[Luckyo]

I've tried using their web interface thingy. I assure you, it's way worse than the dedicated client.

no thanks

[slashmydots]

So...it's Floatplane except run by leftist extremist activist lunatics. NO THANKS.

Has the pandemic given you time to burn?

[swell]

I tried some podcasts in the early days. Mostly they were fun, friendly and not too loaded with adverts. But at best, the useful content was sparse. Generally speaking, the useful content of a one hour podcast can fit into a small, well crafted paragraph of text.

I miss the charismatic raconteurs who so enthusiastically pick nits and examine the trivia of life. But I'm getting old and don't want to spend my last hours on such entertainment when actual information can be expressed far more efficiently.

And now

Spotify is making a mess of JRE

[achacha]

Spotify will fail unless they make their UI more than a simple streamer for podcasts. They don't have the capacity to stream video+audio and JRE (joe rogan exp) has been glitchy and sometimes unwatchable (there is no way to turn off video at this time). There is no ability to catchup on a podcast (or bulk mark them already played). The ordering on the app is newest to oldest (sorting the other way makes the UI upside down, next should be the newer). On and on, the usability features are just not there ye