In a bold move against podcasting consolidation, Pocket Casts liberates its web player, championing open access and sparking a debate about the future of audio content.

Is Podcasting on the Brink of a Corporate Takeover? Pocket Casts Says "Not on Our Watch!"

Pocket Casts, the stalwart podcasting app now under the wing of WordPress parent Automattic, has thrown down the gauntlet, unleashing its web player for free to the world. This isn't just a feature release; it's a declaration of war against the creeping enclosure of podcasting by corporate giants, most notably Spotify.

"The future of podcasting shouldn't be locked behind walled gardens," asserts the Pocket Casts team.

From Paid Perk to Public Service: What's Now Free?

Previously a privilege reserved for paying subscribers ($4/month), the Pocket Casts web player now offers anyone the ability to stream virtually any public podcast feed. And it's not just basic playback; users gain access to:

• Playback speed controls: Fine-tune your listening experience.
• Playlist queueing: Line up your episodes for uninterrupted enjoyment.

Creating a free account unlocks even more potential:

• Sync playback progress: Seamlessly switch between devices.
• Manage your queue: Keep your listening schedule in order.
• Bookmark episode moments: Never lose track of those golden nuggets.
• Save subscriptions and preferences: Tailor your podcast world to your tastes.

Shots Fired: Pocket Casts vs. the Corporate Podcasting Machine

Pocket Casts isn't mincing words. Their blog post is riddled with thinly veiled jabs at Spotify and other streaming services attempting to "wrap podcasting's originally open and RSS-based nature inside proprietary markets and formats". They emphasize that podcasts "belong to the people, not corporations" and should be shared "without needing a specific platform's approval."

The not-so-subtle digs continue with a clear preference that "Discovery should be organic, not algorithm-driven, and that users" should be the focus rather than an AI "that promotes what’s best for the platform."

Why the Fuss? Spotify's Podcast Power Play

Spotify's aggressive acquisition strategy, including snatching up high-profile podcasts like the Joe Rogan Experience and podcast analytics tools, has raised eyebrows across the industry. As Spotify pivots towards video podcasts to challenge YouTube, Pocket Casts' concerns about the open nature of podcasting being compromised appear increasingly valid.

[Clarification: Automattic, Pocket Casts' parent company, is currently engaged in legal battles regarding the definition of "open" within its own products, adding another layer of complexity to this debate.]

A History of Independence: Pocket Casts' Journey

• 2011: Born as an independent app from the Australian duo Shifty Jelly.
• 2018: Acquired by a consortium of public radio entities (NPR, WNYC, WBEZ Chicago, This American Life, and BBC Studios).
• 2021: Sold to Automattic after failing to gain sufficient traction under public radio ownership.

Despite these changes, co-founders Russell Ivanovic and Philip Simpson remain at the helm, steering Pocket Casts through these turbulent waters.

The Ghost of Google Podcasts: A Cautionary Tale

As Nicholas Quah pointed out in his Hot Pod newsletter, third-party podcast clients have been struggling to compete with default device apps and content networks. The demise of Google Podcasts in 2024, which unceremoniously redirected users to YouTube Music, serves as a stark warning. Will Pocket Casts be able to buck this trend?

A Loyal User's Perspective: Why Pocket Casts Still Matters

As a long-time Pocket Casts user myself, I can attest to its reliability and cross-platform utility. Its consistent updates and features, coupled with its availability on both Android and iOS, make it an indispensable tool for navigating the podcasting landscape.

[Personal Anecdote: I've relied on Pocket Casts' web player for years to share episodes, listen during work, and enjoy podcasts on my Chromebook.]

Apple Joins the Fray: A Web Player for Everyone?

Apple has also launched a free web version of its Podcasts app. While this move is welcome, it's intrinsically tied to the Apple ecosystem, potentially limiting its appeal to those outside the Apple universe.

The Future of Podcasting: Open or Enclosed?

Pocket Casts' gamble is a bold one. By liberating its web player, it's betting that users will flock to a platform that champions openness and independence. Will this be enough to withstand the gravitational pull of corporate giants like Spotify? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: the battle for the soul of podcasting is officially underway.