After Apple, the Spotify platform is investing and launching into paid podcasts.

But unlike the other giant in the sector, during the first two years it will not take any commission on the amounts paid by subscribers.

A 5% commission will then be introduced from 2023.

The online audio platform Spotify launched on Tuesday a test of podcasts with paid content, without deduction of commission during the first two years, unlike Apple, the other giant in the sector.

Each podcast will be able to set up a paid subscription which will give access to exclusive content, most often in addition to part of its accessible programs, them, for free, said Spotify in a press release.

The formula, still in test, is reserved for 12 podcast creators only for the moment, but the audio platform plans to extend it to all productions "in the coming months".

During the first two years, Spotify will not take any commission on amounts paid to podcasts by subscribers.

From 2023, a 5% commission will be introduced.

A partnership with the American radio NPR

The other heavyweight in the middle, Apple, told him last week that it would offer an equivalent service in May, and would receive 30% of the sums paid for paid podcasts, a share that will drop to 15% after one year of subscription.

The main destination for podcast listeners for many years, Apple now faces competition from Spotify, which has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to develop in this segment.

>> READ ALSO

- Deezer, Spotify ... Why the platform remuneration system benefits rappers first

With its integrated model, which brings together platform, technical tools, production studios, advertising management and now the possibility of paid content, Spotify wants to offer a wide range of services to become the default destination for podcast creators.

Spotify also announced on Tuesday a partnership with the American public radio station NPR which remains, despite the intensification of competition, the world leader in podcasts.

The agreement provides that five National Public Radio podcasts will be able to offer an ad-free version of their programs for a paid subscription, a turning point in the history of NPR, which has always favored free content until now.