Acast is launching Acast+ Access, a technology that gives a company with an existing paid subscription, the ability to add exclusive podcast benefits.
With the launch of Acast+ Access, companies with existing membership offerings — including news publishers, media organisations, streaming services, and more — can now integrate podcast benefits into the paywall they already use for their subscribers.
This technology allows companies to upgrade their current subscription offering with various podcast benefits, such as ad-free listening, exclusive content (e.g. paywalled episodes, extended episodes, full series), personalised intros and outros, archived content, early access to content, and more.
Subscribers can then access those benefits on their podcast app or listening platform of choice, including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, the web, and any other platform that supports private RSS feeds.
Companies using Acast+ Access manage their own subscriber base and control the sign-up page, checkout and onboarding experience for their subscription offering. This makes the process simple for subscribers. It also provides valuable reporting and analytics tools, giving companies insights into how their premium podcasts are performing.
Acast+ Access is based on an earlier version of the company’s technology, Acast Access, which has been rebuilt to now allow clients to offer even more podcast benefits.
Ross Adams, CEO at Acast, said: “Acast+ Access is a game-changer for companies that want to increase their overall subscription revenue and make their offering even more attractive to consumers.
“As more and more audiences seek premium podcast content, our technology allows providers to easily meet that need and deepen their relationship with their customers.
“And for companies not already incorporating podcasts into their subscription strategy, this is one of the easiest ways to rally new subscribers immediately.”
Yasmin Bassi, Senior Product Manager at Acast, added: “With Acast+ Access, Acast gives publishers and other companies the most powerful, centralised solution for all their podcast needs — allowing them to manage podcast advertising, distribution, and subscriptions seamlessly in one single, easy-to-use platform.
“It isn’t only a great thing for publishers, but for their audiences, who can sign up to a company’s subscription effortlessly and immediately access subscriber-only podcasts on their app of choice.”
Acast+ Access is currently in use by companies including History Hit, the podcast, SVOD and content platform founded by historian Dan Snow, who will be launching exclusive content later this Summer.
Steve Lanham, Head of Podcasts at History Hit said: “History Hit has always aimed to make history more accessible in the digital age, and podcasts are a huge part of that mission.
“Through Acast+ Access, we can offer listeners more of the audio they love, giving them additional access to fascinating stories and interviews from the world’s leading historians and experts.”
To learn more or use the technology, you can sign up by visiting https://go.acast.com/access.
