What you need to know
- Apple has announced its picks for best podcasts of 2021.
- "A Slight Change of Plans" with Maya Shankar won Best Show of the Year
- "Anything for Selena" with Maria Garcia won Newcomer of the Year.
Apple has announced its own picks for the best podcasts of 2021.
In a press release Tuesday the company stated:
Apple Podcasts is pleased to recognize "A Slight Change of Plans" with Maya Shankar from Pushkin Industries as Best Show of the Year, and "Anything for Selena" with Maria Garcia from WBUR and Futuro Studios as Newcomer of the Year. These deeply personal yet universally relatable shows grapple with profound change, perceptions of identity and self-worth, and the meaning of belonging, with thought-provoking discussions that reflect the human experience.
Apple's picks recognize "the best and most popular podcasts for their exceptional content, unique ability to engage audiences, and innovation in craft, spanning production, presentation, sound design, and more." Apple also picked a curated selection of different shows and episodes that "defined and reflected 2021" and published its top charts to show the most popular shows of the year. The top new show of the year was "We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle", the top free channel was audiochuck and the top subscription podcast was "Bad Blood: The Final Chapter" with John Carreyrou.
In June Apple announced Apple Podcasts Subscriptions, letting creators offer more exclusive content to users for a subscription fee in over 170 countries around the world. Apple's VP of Apple Music and Beats Oliver Schusser said "We are honored to recognize the phenomenal creators who are redefining podcasting with this year's best shows, and to help more listeners around the world discover, enjoy, and support their inspiring work."
