New in OS X: Get MacRumors Push Notifications on your Mac

Resubscribe Now Close

Apple Reaches Podcasting Milestone with 1 Billion Subscriptions

Monday July 22, 2013 5:00 pm PDT by Juli Clover
According the Podcasts section of the iTunes Store, Apple has just hit a milestone of one billion Podcast subscriptions. Originally introduced in 2005, Podcasts allow both individuals and major companies to broadcast episodic radio-style shows. Apple offers thousands of different Podcasts that are available via iTunes or its Podcasts iOS app [App Store].

1billionsubscriber
In honor of the one billion milestone, Apple has highlighted a number of its most popular podcasts over the years in a new iTunes section which offers up a number of classic Podcasts alongside New and Noteworthy content.

From comedy to hard new to sports to innovative educational content and so much more, podcasting has transformed the global media landscape. Podcasts on iTunes launched in the summer of 2005 and since then, we’ve seen countless episodes downloaded and streamed. But the heart of podcasting is finding your favorite voices in this exciting field and subscribing to the best ones. To celebrate reaching 1 billion podcast subscribers, we’re highlighting some of the most popular podcasts of all time, as well as a collection of captivating new shows.
Apple told Macworld that its billion subscriptions are spread across 250,000 unique podcasts in more than 100 languages, with more than eight million episodes published to date.

The new celebratory section includes popular Podcasts like This American Life, TEDTalks, 60 Minutes, and Happy Tree Friends, among others.


[ 57 comments ]


Top Rated Comments

(View all)

Avatar
Some guy
77 months ago
Rating: 6 Votes
Avatar
Trius
77 months ago

Well, it just seems like it took so long considering they've been an official thing since 2004. 1 billion iOS apps were downloaded by 2009.


True, but remember, it's SUBSCRIPTIONS, not individual downloads.
Rating: 5 Votes
Avatar
Garrod
77 months ago
Are Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant and Karl Pilkington being recognised as part of this? :)
Rating: 4 Votes
Avatar
jclo
77 months ago

Your title really should say a billion subscriptions, not a billion subscribers.


Fixed, thanks for the suggestion.
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
hauntvictim
77 months ago
I love podcasts!! They are a free way to enjoy your favorite artists and I think they are woefully under looked.
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
senseless
77 months ago
Podcasts are saviors on long drives, at the gym or while cleaning the house. And free!
Rating: 3 Votes
Avatar
BRussell
77 months ago
Your title really should say a billion subscriptions, not a billion subscribers.
Rating: 2 Votes
Avatar
Georgij
77 months ago
How is Happy Tree Friends in Classics?
Rating: 2 Votes
Avatar
FFArchitect
77 months ago

Woah, it took THIS long?!


What were you expecting?
Rating: 2 Votes
Avatar
skellener
77 months ago
Here's the one you want. Best one out there.

Downcast
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/downcast/id393858566?mt=8&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Rating: 2 Votes

[ Read All Comments ]