At Apple’s “Spring Loaded” online event, Apple unveiled an Apple Podcasts Subscription for worldwide Podcast listeners to discover fresh new episodes of shows from their favorite creators on Apple Podcast. Apple Podcasts Subscription will be available in over 170 countries and regions starting in May, allowing podcast listeners to sign up for a premium subscription that includes ad-free listening, additional content, and early or exclusive access to new shows.

Premium subscriptions will be available from independent voices and premier studios such as Tenderfoot TV, Pushkin Industries, Radiotopia from PRX, and QCODE, as well as leading media and entertainment brands such as NPR, the Los Angeles Times, The Athletic, Sony Music Entertainment, and others.

Listeners will be able to explore channels, which are collections of shows curated by creators and each with its own title, description, and artwork, starting in May. Listeners will be able to access free channels, which will make it easy to find more shows from their favorite creators, as well as paid channels and channels with extra advantages for subscribers, just as they do with shows.

The Apple Podcasts app has also been revamped, with an improved search tab that provides easy access to Top Charts and categories. This latest design is part of the iOS 14.5 update, which is currently in beta testing.

Every show and episode now has beautiful new pages to make it easier to follow, listen to, and share on Apple Podcasts. Listeners can use the new Smart Play button to start episodic shows from the most recent episode and serialized shows from the beginning of each season. Individual episodes can now be saved for offline replay, making it easy to bookmark podcasts to listen to later from Library.