The countdown has begun for Google‘s long-running Podcasts app, and its demise is now just a day away for U.S. users. After years of faithful service, the tech giant is sounding the death knell, warning listeners to migrate their podcast subscriptions to YouTube Music by April 2nd if they want to continue streaming their favorite shows seamlessly.

For over half a decade, the Podcasts app has been a sleek and straightforward home for podcast enthusiasts, allowing them to discover, subscribe to, and stream a vast library of audio content with ease. Installed on over 500 million Android devices globally, its minimalist interface and tools for adding podcasts via RSS feed earned it a loyal following. But alas, all good things must come to an end, and Google announced last September that it would begin winding down the beloved app in early 2024 as part of a broader strategy to consolidate its audio offerings under the YouTube umbrella.

This is not the first time Google has executed such a transition. In 2020, a similar migration was orchestrated, shifting music listeners from the now-defunct Google Play Music to YouTube Music ahead of its shutdown. However, the Podcasts app was granted a temporary reprieve, as YouTube Music lacked the necessary infrastructure to support podcasts adequately – until now.

By the end of 2023, YouTube Music had finally gained the capability to host podcasts globally, and as of February, creators could upload their RSS feeds directly to the platform. This pivotal milestone paved the way for Google to initiate the final phase of its grand podcasting unification.

The decision to shift podcasting to YouTube could prove to be a strategic masterstroke for Google, positioning the tech behemoth to become a more formidable player in the rapidly evolving audio landscape. By combining its efforts and sharpening its focus, Google stands to gain a competitive edge, especially as interest in video podcasts – already popular on YouTube – continues to surge.

This week, industry heavyweight Spotify underscored the growing allure of video podcasts by forging a deal with Universal Music Group (UMG) to bring the format to U.S. users of its streaming app. This move comes hot on the heels of Spotify’s announcement in early March, revealing tests of video podcasts in 11 international markets.

While the writing may be on the wall for the Podcasts app, Google is offering a grace period for those reluctant to let go. Users who fail to migrate their subscriptions by the April 2nd deadline will still have until July 2024 to export their data using the app’s built-in export feature.

For now, the countdown is specific to U.S. users, with Google confirming that the April 2nd timeline applies only to the domestic market. However, the company has made its global intentions clear – the Podcasts app will be discontinued worldwide by the end of 2024, as Google doubles down on its efforts to establish YouTube Music as the undisputed home for all its audio offerings.