As Ars Technica pointed out, Google previously introduced and then discontinued Listen, an app that synced with Google Reader to help users find and listen to podcasts. When the decision to get rid of Listen was announced in 2012, Google explained that Google Play gave people “access to a wider variety of podcast apps.” Now, however, the company seems to think that adding podcasts directly to Google Play Music is the way to go.
Through Google Play Music, listeners are able to find and stream music that fits their interests and moods, and they’ll be able to do the same with podcasts down the road. Google is currently working to build the service’s library of audio series and episodes, both by launching a portal where content can be uploaded and by reaching out to creators of shows.
“We’re already working with more than a dozen of the most popular podcasters and networks to offer their shows when we open the service,” said Elias Roman, Product Manager of Google Play Music in the blog post.
Among those the company plans to have available to listeners upon launch are the following:
- 5by5
- Dan Carlin
- Dave Ramsey
- Earwolf
- Feral Audio
- Gimlet Media
- HBO
- Head Gum
- HowStuffWorks
- Loud Speakers Network
- Nerdist / Legendary
- Public Radio International
- Radiotopia / PRX
- Sideshow Network
- Slate / Panoply
- StarTalk Radio
- This Week in Tech
- Tim Ferriss
Podcasters stand to benefit from being added to Google Play Music, as they’ll be given access to Android’s enormous user base. One billion people use Google Play each month, according to Google. At the same time, users hoping to expand their horizons should find it easier to discover podcasts that interest them.
No date has been announced yet for when Google Play Music users can expect to be able to take advantage of the addition of podcasts, but we’re told that more information will follow.
