Apple Podcasts now affords in-app subscriptions in additional than 170 international locations, a couple of month after the function was first scheduled to launch. With this function dwell, listeners pays to assist exhibits and networks for entry to ad-free content material and, in some instances, different perks like early entry to episodes. They also can pay for entry to a channel, which is mainly like supporting a podcast community and making use of these paid perks to all of the exhibits it makes.

A couple of large exhibits and networks are taking part at launch. Luminary, which made its identify promoting subscriptions for its personal in-app content material, is now promoting subs by Apple. NPR additionally sells ad-free subscriptions, as does Wondery, amongst many others.

Once individuals have paid for entry, a “Subscriber Edition” label will present up on their feeds to indicate that they’re in a position to hear all the pieces. The course of to enroll is seamless; listeners simply need to faucet a button to subscribe and all the pieces runs by Apple’s built-in cost processing.

Apple’s greatest competitor, Spotify, can be eyeing subscription podcasts. In its case, the corporate hasn’t constructed an in-app button however relatively requires podcasters to hyperlink out to an exterior Anchor webpage the place listeners pays. Of course, different platforms, like Patreon, have additionally centered on paid podcast content material, however bringing the button into the Apple Podcasts app might be probably enormous, as listeners don’t need to battle to seek out the place to pay attention and subscribe.

That’s the broader promise of the function: a solution to simply permit listeners to pay for podcast content material within the place the place they’re already having fun with exhibits. Soon we’ll see how this really pans out for the podcasters themselves.