IOS 8 Podcasts Issue

The podcast is currently experiencing a major technical issue. I haven’t seen Apple/iTunes address this issue anywhere, but I’ve spoken to a handful of other podcasters who are experiencing this. Here’s a snapshot of weekly TipsOfTheScale downloads over the past few months.

Great numbers at the start, but then what happened?? That’s a scary drop. Let’s look a level deeper at download sources (apps, websites, etc. – everywhere someone can play the podcast from):

While downloads from all other players have remained pretty constant, downloads from the “AppleCoreMedia” player (the Apple/IOS Podcasts app) have dropped by about 90%. “AppleCoreMedia” was responsible for over 95% of total downloads before 9/17, so this is a significant (and financially painful) drop. I highly doubt that over 15,000 people all spontaneously unsubscribed to TipsOfTheScale at the exact same time (I hope), so…

What happened around September 17th in Apple/iTunes world?

Oh yeah…

My podcast hosting company (Libsyn) claims there isn’t a reporting issue on their end. I’ve opened several cases with Apple’s Podcasts team, but have yet to receive any explanation or steps that I can take.

I email podcasts [at] apple [dot] com on September 18 at 10:09 PM CST
I email podcasts [at] apple [dot] com on September 22 at 9:13 AM CST (Receive auto-notification that case 666784616 was opened and that I can expect “a personal response within 48 hours.”)
Apple responds by email on September 25 at 4:22 PM CST – claims there is an issue with my podcast’s artwork. I verify it is within their specifications and re-upload new artwork to be sure.
No change.
I email podcasts [at] apple [dot] com on September 26 at 12:13 AM CST to clarify my concern and ask for a reason for the drop in downloads; I suggest/ask about a possible cause.
I call Apple’s support line (8002752273) on September 29 at 4:23 PM CST, get transferred multiple times before I’m told that the Apple Podcasts Team does not accept phone calls or speak to anyone on the phone, regardless of the issue. I am told that Case Number 670818544 has been opened.
Apple responds by email on September 29 at 8:46 PM CST to say that what I suggested in my email on the 26th is not the reason for the drop. No further details provided.
I email podcasts [at] apple [dot] com on October 1 at 11:14 PM CST to ask for a follow-up and reinforce that this issue is directly impacting my income. I share that I have confirmed with my podcast hosting company (Libsyn) that there are no reporting issues on their end. I also share the link to this page and ask for any steps I can try.
I email podcasts [at] apple [dot] com on October 2 at 10:09 AM CST with a link to this page and ask, again, what I can try or do to speed things along.
I email podcasts [at] apple [dot] com on October 4 at 12:31 PM CST pleading for some kind of response or follow-up.
Apple responds by email on October 7 at 12:55 PM CST to say only this: “Hello Sam, Thank you for writing in. We are currently investigating.”
I waited over a week.
I email podcasts [at] apple [dot] com on October 15 at 3:42 PM CST to request an update and share data exported from my podcast hosting company to show the issue is still occurring.
Apple responds by email on October 21 at 5:38 PM CST to say, “Thank you for your patience. We are still investigating at this time.”
I waited over a week, again.
I email podcasts [at] apple [dot] com on October 29 at 11:08 AM CST pleading for an update and asking how to escalate the issue, as it’s lasted over a month now.

This has very real financial impacts on people, like me, whose advertising revenue is directly impacted by it. Help? Related threads at Apple about podcast issues since IOS 8 release:

What happened around September 17th in Apple/iTunes world?

Sarah Moores Update: Mental Health, Lifting, and Self Awareness

Portion Sizes, Pregnancy, and Progress with Katie Eastgate

158: A Journey Begun at 700 Pounds | Jesse Shand

What happened around September 17th in Apple/iTunes world?

Sarah Moores Update: Mental Health, Lifting, and Self Awareness

Portion Sizes, Pregnancy, and Progress with Katie Eastgate

158: A Journey Begun at 700 Pounds | Jesse Shand

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