Spotify’s new subscription podcast platform finally lets creators charge for content. The feature, rolling out now in the US, allows hosts to mark episodes as “subscriber-only” on and off Spotify.
Podcasters can take advantage of a two-year grace period, during which 100% of subscriber revenues (excluding payment transaction fees) goes directly to the creator. Starting in 2023, Spotify plans to introduce a “competitive” 5% fee for access to the tool.
“By enabling wide distribution of subscriber-only content, our aim is to help podcasters maximize their subscription audiences and grow them from their existing listener bases,” according to a Spotify blog announcement. “Within Spotify, this content will be searchable and discoverable like any other podcast episode.”
An initial group of 12 independent podcasters will publish subscriber-only bonus content in their existing feeds. NPR fans, meanwhile, can access sponsor-free episodes of a handful of shows, with more coming soon; look for titles marked as “Plus” (Planet Money Plus or Short Wave Plus, for example) to support your favorite broadcasts.
Fully searchable and discoverable within the audio streaming app, paid content is marked with a lock icon on the play button. Creators can sign up now for access, and Spotify is currently taking submissions for its waitlist. More hosts in more countries will be added “over the coming months.”
“For listeners, it’s now easier than ever to discover bonus content and support creators on a platform they use and trust—even if they’d prefer to listen somewhere else,” podcast subdivision Anchor said in a blog post. “And creators can receive support from listeners while offering them something of value in return, deepening the connection with your biggest fans by welcoming them into your show’s community.”
As part of paid subscriptions, the podcast creation platform anticipates giving creators priority access to its new Q&A feature, which invites supporters to interact directly with the show. Hosts can also look forward to added functionality like selling merch, handing out promo codes, and more.
