Weekly Subscription News: Podcasts, Payments and PlayStation Now

Featuring BBC Four, CBSN, The Atlantic, Spotify and Tesla

As we wrap up May, the third month of shelter in place orders in many areas, COVID-19 continues to impact our daily lives and the subscription industry. For example, The Atlantic is cutting 17% of its staff and closing its video department, PlayStation Now has grown to 2.2 million subscribers, and BBC Four could become a global subscription service. Also in the headlines, Apple TV+ subscriptions are flat, Spotify strikes a podcast deal with Joe Rogan worth more than $100 million, and payment provider GoCardless signs 8×8 as recurring bill client to speed B2B payments.

Apple TV+ Subscriptions Flat Despite COVID-19 Quarantine, Increased Demand for Originals
Apple Insider

BBC Four Could Become Global Subscription Service
Broadband TV News

Is CBSN the Future of TV News?
Next | TV

The Atlantic Cuts 17% of Staff, Closes Video Department
Publishers Daily

Spotify Strikes Podcast Deal with Joe Rogan Worth More than $100 Million
The Wall Street Journal

Payment Provider GoCardless Signs 8×8 as Recurring Bill Client to Speed B2B Payments
PaymentsSource

Tesla Raises Price of Full Self Driving by $1,000 Worldwide Before Moving to Subscription Model
Auto Blog

PlayStation Now Hits 2.2 Million Subscribers
The Verge

Filed in Business Operations, Business Services, Business Strategy, Entertainment and Streaming, Industry Announcements, News, Payment Processing, Paywall

Dana E. Neuts

Dana Neuts is Subscription Insider's Editorial Director, covering our daily subscription news as well as member features, case studies, premium content, and reports. Dana is also a writer, editor, marketer and communications professional. Her work has appeared in AARP Bulletin, The Seattle Times, Seattle Business, 425 Business, 425 Magazine, South Sound Magazine, Northwest Travel and more. Her specialties include business writing, community news, senior issues, travel and, of course, subscriptions!