Amazon Music now offers podcasts.
The company issued an update today that brings more than 70,000 shows to the platform, including some major titles, like Serial and Pod Save America, as well as new exclusive deals like a show with DJ Khaled called The First One, where he’ll interview artists about their breakthrough hits and the stories behind them.
Disgraceland, a popular show from iHeartMedia, will also become exclusive to the platform starting in February 2021.
Podcasts can be listened to through the updated Amazon Music app, on the web, or on Amazon Echo devices. Echo devices will search Amazon Music by default and will remember where listeners left off, regardless of what platform they use to listen.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Amazon will be selling ads for its shows, although it’s unclear if that means DJ Khaled and other hosts will be reading ads and if paid subscribers will hear these ads, similarly to Spotify.
Of course, this now makes Amazon Music even more of a competitor with Spotify, a company that’s already heavily invested in podcasts.
Apple Music now stands out as the primary major music streaming app that has yet to integrate podcasts. Apple operates Apple Podcasts but has kept the two siloed from each other, even though podcasts and music are being combined across platforms to diversify catalogues and turn apps into the go-to places for all audio needs.
Amazon Music’s podcast update is especially intriguing given that Audible recently announced its newest and cheapest subscription plan that gives listeners access to exclusive podcasts.
Those shows are seemingly not included in Amazon Music, meaning if people want to hear an Audible show, they’ll have to separately subscribe. Amazon Music, meanwhile, is including shows that are available across all platforms, which differentiates it from Audible currently.
Latest Stories
-
Dreams FC denies allegations of attempting to sign Najeeb Yakubu
51 mins -
Election 2024: ‘Right to free and fair elections non-negotiable’ – Akufo-Addo
57 mins -
Kurt Okraku took out my passport from the U23 squad that travelled to Japan – Najeeb Yakubu alleges
1 hour -
Where hope fails: Ghana’s decaying home for the destitute
1 hour -
NDC Mining Committee for 2024 campaign refutes allegations of recruiting thugs for elections
1 hour -
Traction Control: A lifesaver with an off switch? Here’s why it exists
2 hours -
I don’t need anyman to woo me with money – Miss Malaika 2024 winner refutes pimping claims
2 hours -
”Kurt Okraku sabotaged my national team career because I refused to sign with Dreams FC” – Najeeb Yakubu
2 hours -
Businesses urged to leverage Generative AI for enhanced customer engagement
2 hours -
MultiChoice Ghana partners with Ghana Hotels Association to elevate guest entertainment
2 hours -
Bawumia’s music streaming app or Mahama’s pay-per-view TV channel?
2 hours -
Karpowership Ghana empowers 40 Takoradi Technical University students with scholarship
2 hours -
We expect significant reduction in prices of petroleum products in coming weeks – CEO AOMC
2 hours -
Betway Africa offers once-in-a-lifetime ‘Play-on-the-Pitch’ experience at Emirates Stadium
2 hours -
I coined the term ‘hype man’ in Ghana – Merqury Quaye
2 hours