A new Apple News Partner Program allows subscription news publications to provide their content to the Apple News app while paying a lower than usual share of the revenue coming from customers. Companies that choose to participate will have to give Apple 15% of subscription fees in the first year — half the usual amount.
This move is apparently in response to complaints from big publications about Apple’s cut.
Also, the NPP doesn’t take any share of advertising revenue generated by articles.
Apple says, “The News Partner Program aims to ensure Apple News customers maintain access to trusted news and information from many of the world’s top publishers, while supporting publishers’ financial stability.”
Requirements for the Apple News Partner Program
Participation in the new program requires submitting content in Apple News Format. This is designed to make articles easy to read on iPhone, Mac and iPad.
Another requirement is maintaining a “robust” Apple News channel in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada. And articles have to be “original, professionally authored news content.”
Publications must have an application in the App Store where users can buy auto-renewable subscriptions through Apple’s in-app purchase system.
The benefit for content creators of the News Partner Program is a reduction in Apple’s cut. The iPhone-maker typically takes 30% of subscription fees during the first year, and then 15% thereafter. The NPP will have a 15% rate from the beginning.
Publishers may apply for the News Partner Program beginning today.
Pushback from publishers
In 2020, several major news outlets made public complaints about the size of Apple’s App Store commission. A trade body that represents the New York Times, Washington Post, WSJ and other publishers sent a letter to Tim Cook asking for better terms.
Specifically, what they wanted was for Apple to take 15%. Clearly, they got their wish.
Source: Apple
