Interesting get. Pocket Casts was previously acquired by a combined NPR, WNYC Studios, WBEZ Chicago and This American Life in 2018. I wonder what's been going on behind the scenes between then and now.

I remember reading a while back that they were losing a lot of money on it, so I'm happy to hear that it's going a new home.

There was backlash when they tried to take away the premium lifetime membership after the last acquisition. Wonder what Automatic have planned to deal with this...

Tried to? I can't seem to find a lifetime option at the moment.

I was so disheartened by crappy podcast apps that when I discovered pocket casts, I looked for a premium membership within 5 minutes. Imagine my dismay when I only saw a recurring subscription model.

I am still not a plus member. Lifetime membership would be great.

Succeeded.

It was originally a one off $4 for iOS, $4 for Android, and $10 for the web service + electron apps.

Following acquisition by NPR et al, they announced that the base mobile apps would go free, and the web apps would be part of a $10/yr Pocket casts plus subscription, along with some extra functionality.

Following some backlash, they gave web-app buyers a lifetime Pocket Casts Plus subscription.

You could never actually buy the lifetime PocketCasts Plus membership.

They took it away :(

My lifetime membership is gone now.

I just checked and I still have my lifetime membership.