Apple Launches Podcast Subscriptions Service, No Sign Of Major Move Into Original Audio Programming

deadline.com:

Apple has launched a podcast subscriptions service that will allow listeners to sign up to premium versions of audio series.The move for Apple Podcasts Subscriptions was announced at Apple’s Tim Cook-hosted event.However, the tech giant didn’t, as some expected, unveil any major move into original podcast programming as some of its rivals such as Spotify have done over the past year.The service, which launches in May and will be available in 170 countries, will allow podcast fans to sign up for premium subscriptions to their favorite shows, giving them access to additional content or early and exclusive access to new series.Launch partners include Tenderfoot TV, Pushkin Industries, Radiotopia from PRX, and QCODE as well as media brands such