Open or closed: Who will control the paid-podcast experience, podcasters or tech companies?

What they’re suggesting, laid out in detail in this post and in the draft technical spec, is a new open protocol that would enable listener identification and authentication in any enabled app. If it can be built as they’re currently suggesting, this would drastically reduce the customer-service difficulties around delivering premium podcast conten... See more

It’s becoming increasingly common to monetize podcasts via a direct connection with listeners, whether via merchandise, donations, live events, or bonus or ad-free content. Big networks and publishers are doing it (e.g., Wondery Plus, Stitcher Premium, Slate Plus) and independent creators are too (via Patreon, Memberful, or other solutions).