Apple Podcasts launches new narrative series chart, ad-free windows, more

Today Apple has announced changes to Apple Podcasts designed to better spotlight a specific type of show: narrative series. A new top chart is debuting alongside other editorial initiatives, plus Series becomes its own standalone category for improved discovery. Here are all the details.

Series are getting elevated inside Podcasts app

In the wake of increased competition from Spotify and YouTube, Apple continues to ramp up its efforts with Apple Podcasts. Today, it’s introducing new ways to engage with narratives series inside the app.

Apple’s press release outlines what’s new:

Today, Apple Podcasts is elevating series — narrative shows with episodes intended to be listened to in order — that captivate listeners across multiple genres. Apple Podcasts is launching a new Top Series chart that will be updated continuously and features the top 100 series, making it the first chart for series shows ever created. Additionally, a brand-new Series category will help listeners explore and discover shows they will love. Lastly, Apple Podcasts editors will introduce Series Essentials, recognizing and celebrating one series each month that best defines the category, beginning with Ghost Story, an original limited series from Wondery and Audacy’s Pineapple Street Studios.

The Top Series chart should prove a great new way to discover narrative series inside Apple Podcasts. But the Series Essentials spotlight is a great editorial addition too. Especially because it comes with a bonus.

Apple says, “In its featured month, each Series Essentials selection will be presented completely ad-free in its entirety on Apple Podcasts.” That’s a nice perk and incentive to not only listen to a new show, but do so inside Apple Podcasts.

You can check out the first recognized Series Essential, Ghost Story, via the embed below:

Earlier this year, Apple Podcasts debuted one of my personal favorite features to date: transcripts. Along with several other iOS 18 changes and today’s announcements, I’m excited to see what Apple has in store for Apple Podcasts moving forward.

Are you interested in the new series discovery features in Apple Podcasts? Let us know in the comments.