Google Podcasts Shutting Down in 2024 as YouTube Music Invests in Podcasting

Google Podcasts will shut down in 2024 as YouTube invests more in podcast features on YouTube Music.
YouTube says 23% of US podcast listeners use YouTube most vs 4% for Google Podcasts.
Google will provide tools to help Google Podcasts users migrate subscriptions over to YouTube Music.
YouTube Music will expand podcast listening features like background play, downloads, etc.
YouTube plans "YouTube-only" podcast capabilities like community, discovery and switching between audio/video.

variety.com

Relevant topic timeline:

9/26/2023

Google Shifts Focus as it Phases Out Podcasts, YouTube Lite, Basic Gmail Features, and Google Home Hardware

Google is discontinuing its podcast app, Google Podcasts, and expanding its YouTube podcast platform globally, while also shutting down YouTube Premium Lite in Europe as part of its price increase strategy.

9/30/2023

YouTube Music rolls out offline podcast downloads, but still lacks key podcast features

YouTube Music now allows users to auto-download podcasts, a feature previously available only on Google Podcasts, but lacks the auto-removal setting present in other podcast clients.