Apple Podcasts Delegated Delivery

Today Apple announced Apple Podcasts Delegated Delivery, a new feature that will allow creators to upload, manage, and distribute their premium audio through participating third-party hosting providers. Delegated Delivery reduces operational tasks for podcast subscriptions so that creators can focus on making and marketing their work.

Using Delegated Delivery

Publish premium episodes

When Delegated Delivery launches this fall, creators will be able to authorize a participating hosting provider to deliver free and premium episodes to Apple Podcasts on their behalf. Once authorized, creators can simply use the dashboard offered by their participating hosting provider to publish new free and premium episodes. This includes the ability to schedule the release of exclusive, early access, bonus, and ad-free content using WAV, FLAC, and MP3 files.

Submit premium and free shows

Delegated Delivery also allows creators to submit premium and free shows, making it even easier to add new shows to the Apple Podcasts directory through participating hosting providers. All shows and subscriptions will continue to be reviewed by Apple Podcasts before they are available to ensure they meet our content guidelines.

Initial hosting providers supporting Delegated Delivery

The following hosting providers announced today they will support Delegated Delivery:

• Acast
• ART19
• Blubrry
• Buzzsprout
• Libsyn
• Omny Studio
• RSS.com

More partners supporting Delegated Delivery will be announced in the future.

Stay updated on Delegated Delivery

Additional information about Delegated Delivery, including resources to help creators take advantage of this new feature, will be published by Apple Podcasts and participating hosting providers before launch. Creators can see which hosting providers support Delegated Delivery, and understand when it will be supported by their hosting provider, by visiting the Hosting Providers page. Providers interested in supporting Delegated Delivery are encouraged to contact us.

With Delegated Delivery, Apple continues its legacy of building tools and technologies that advance the podcast industry’s open ecosystem to serve listeners and creators worldwide.

FAQs for creators

How do I know if my hosting provider offers Delegated Delivery?

Check the Hosting Providers page to see if and when Delegated Delivery will be supported by your hosting provider.

My hosting provider has committed to offering Delegated Delivery. When will it be available?

Delegated Delivery will be available beginning this fall. Check the Hosting Providers page for updates.

How do I give my hosting provider access to my account to deliver shows and episodes to Apple Podcasts?

More information will be shared before launch this fall.

If I use Delegated Delivery, do I still need to upload premium audio directly through Apple Podcasts Connect?

With Delegated Delivery enabled, you are no longer required to upload subscriber audio through Apple Podcasts Connect, but you will be able to do so if you choose. You can use Apple Podcasts Connect to check that your premium content has been successfully published and you will continue to use Apple Podcasts Connect to create new channels, manage subscriptions, view listening analytics, export subscription reports, and more.

Can I use Delegated Delivery with multiple hosting providers?

Yes, you can enable multiple hosting providers to deliver new episodes with Delegated Delivery.

Do I need to be a member of the Apple Podcasters Program to use Delegated Delivery?

You can use Delegated Delivery without a membership to the Apple Podcasters Program to enable hosting providers to publish free shows. A membership is required to publish premium shows and episodes.

Is there an additional cost to use Delegated Delivery?

Delegated Delivery will be available to all creators through Apple Podcasts Connect at no additional cost.

If I change hosting providers, can I still use Delegated Delivery?

If your new hosting provider supports Delegated Delivery, you can still use this feature once authorizing them. Contact your hosting providers for more information about how to migrate your show and get started with Delegated Delivery.

If I give my hosting provider access via Delegated Delivery, can they see my analytics in Apple Podcasts Connect?

No. Your analytics are only available to you and anyone with the Analyst role in Apple Podcasts Connect. Delegated Delivery does not give your hosting provider permission to see your analytics.

If you have any other questions, please contact us.