It’s becoming increasingly common to monetize podcasts via a direct connection with listeners, whether via merchandise, donations, live events, or bonus or ad-free content. Big networks and publishers are doing it (e.g., Wondery Plus, Stitcher Premium, Slate Plus) and independent creators are too (via Patreon, Memberful, or other solutions).
What they’re suggesting, laid out in detail in this post and in the draft technical spec, is a new open protocol that would enable listener identification and authentication in any enabled app. If it can be built as they’re currently suggesting, this would drastically reduce the customer-service difficulties around delivering premium podcast conten... See more