Apple announced a new premium podcast subscription service at its Spring Loaded event this week, along with a revamped app for iOS 14.5 listeners. The news proves that the rumors circulating earlier this year were true, and the tech giant is looking to take the fight to Spotify.

Apple Podcasts Subscriptions will launch next month and will be a format that will appeal to both creators and dedicated fans. The idea is that listeners can sign up for benefits such as an ad-free experience, additional content, and early (or exclusive) access to episodes. Apple CEO Tim Cook has described this as "the biggest change since the debut of Apple Podcasts."

Channels will also roll out next month, making it easier to find content from your favorite creators. Channels is Apple's name for "a group of shows curated by creators with their own titles, descriptions, and artwork. Here you will find a combination of free and paid content, so you can peruse the offerings and decide whether or not to subscribe.

If you're listening on iOS 14.5 (due out next week), the redesigned Apple Podcasts app will include a new page for shows and episodes. The search tab has also been improved to provide quick access to categories and top charts.

The introduction of the Smart Play button should make managing your library and active podcasts much easier. For episodic programming, Smart Play will automatically play the most recent episode. For serialized content, Smart Play will start at the beginning of each series.

For those with spotty Internet access or limited data, Apple's podcast subscription allows downloaded episodes to be saved and listened to offline.

Podcast creators can set pricing and availability, so there is no flat subscription fee. This change should give the app a much-needed refresh and provide more intuitive options for listeners. This revamp is expected to take place in May.