Apple Is Still Planning Exclusive Podcasts to Fend Off Spotify

Spotify (NYSE: SPOT) has made no secret of its efforts to dethrone Apple (NASDAQ: AAPL) in the world of podcasts, scooping up four start-ups over the past year and a half as part of its broader strategy and announcing a major exclusivity deal with Joe Rogan just this week. Considering the sheer size of Rogan's following, the pact has the potential to transform the economics of the podcasting ecosystem, as Spotify is reportedly paying over $100 million as part of the exclusive licensing agreement. Apple isn't going to sit still while Spotify tries to take a bite out of its podcasting business.