Another app promises to cut out the ads

For podcast creators like Mike Pesca, who recently announced he's stopping hosting his popular podcast The Gist, the promise of ad-free listeners is a tantalising prospect. But, as Pesca's decision to leave his show highlights, the podcast industry is complex, and the impact of ad-skipping apps like Podtastic might not be as simple as just removing ads. When Ben Bowler, the developer behind PodcastAdBlock, pulled the tool down in May, many creators breathed a sigh of relief. But, it seems, Bowler is back, this time with Podtastic, a podcast app that promises to skip ads for $2.99 a month.

The app's business model is straightforward: users pay a monthly fee to skip ads, but none of that money goes back to the creators. Instead, up to 30% of the revenue will go to Apple or Google in app store fees. This raises questions about whether Podtastic is within Apple's App Store terms, which prohibit apps that circumvent in-app purchase rules. It's a problem that has plagued podcast apps before, and one that Podtastic's developers will need to navigate carefully.

For creators, the impact of ad-skipping apps like Podtastic will be significant. While the app won't change download numbers, it will make advertising less effective, and advertisers less likely to rebook. This is a problem that podcast creators are already facing, as the industry struggles to find new revenue streams. With the rise of ad-skipping apps, it's clear that the traditional model of podcasting is under threat.

Meanwhile, PAVE Studios has signed a further roster of creators who are joining the studio, including true crime creators, journalists, and podcast hosts. But, as the podcast industry grapples with the impact of ad-skipping apps, it's clear that creators are facing a difficult choice: adapt to the changing landscape, or risk being left behind. For true crime creators like those joining PAVE Studios, the decision to join a studio like PAVE may be a way to invest in their own success, with development resources, cross-format opportunities, and a team obsessed with growing their audience alongside them.

As the podcast industry continues to evolve, it's clear that the traditional model of podcasting is under threat. With ad-skipping apps like Podtastic on the rise, creators are facing a difficult choice: adapt to the changing landscape, or risk being left behind. It's a problem that will only be solved by innovation and experimentation, and one that will require creators to think outside the box and find new ways to engage with their audiences.

The stakes are high for podcast creators, and the decision to join a studio like PAVE or to develop an ad-skipping app like Podtastic will have significant implications for the industry as a whole. As the podcast industry continues to evolve, one thing is clear: the future of podcasting will be shaped by the choices that creators make today.