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Podcast & Audio Publishing · head to head

Apple Podcasts Connect vs Criterion Channel

Apple Podcasts Connect logo

Apple Podcasts Connect

Podcast & Audio Publishing

Manage and distribute your podcast on Apple Podcasts

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Criterion Channel logo

Criterion Channel

Media & Entertainment

Criterion Collection curated films

From
$10.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Apple Podcasts Connect has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Apple Podcasts Connect requires an Apple account, and a show has to be claimed before it can be managed; Criterion Channel maximum streaming quality is HD, no 4K or Ultra HD
  • They diverge on capability: Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission, Criterion Channel covers Criterion films.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Apple Podcasts Connect and Criterion Channel actually diverge.

Attributes where Apple Podcasts Connect and Criterion Channel differ
AttributeApple Podcasts ConnectCriterion Channel
Starting priceFree$10.99/month
Pricing modelfreeUnknown
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWeb, Ios, MacosWeb, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox
CategoryPodcast & Audio PublishingMedia & Entertainment
Founded19761984

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Apple Podcasts Connect

  • Podcast submission
  • Episode management
  • Analytics
  • Subscription monetization
  • Show optimization
  • Multi-show management
  • RSS feeds
  • Hosting platforms

Only in Criterion Channel

  • Criterion films
  • 4K restoration
  • Essays
  • Special features
  • Curated selections
  • Smart TVs
  • Streaming devices
  • Account security

Both cover

  • Web support
  • Ios support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Apple Podcasts Connect

  • Submitting a new podcast to Apple Podcastsnot Criterion Channel
  • Claiming an existing show so it is registered to your accountnot Criterion Channel
  • Reviewing Apple Podcasts listener trends and analyticsnot Criterion Channel
  • Managing show artwork and metadatanot Criterion Channel

Criterion Channel

  • Streaming classic, foreign, and independent films with curated collections and retrospectivesnot Apple Podcasts Connect
  • Watching filmmaker interviews, commentary tracks, and bonus/supplemental contentnot Apple Podcasts Connect
  • Following themed programming such as double features and director/actor spotlightsnot Apple Podcasts Connect
  • Educational and film-study use due to curated context and extrasnot Apple Podcasts Connect

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Apple Podcasts Connect

  • Requires an Apple account, and a show has to be claimed before it can be managed
  • Only reports listening that happens inside Apple Podcasts, so it is not a whole-audience view
  • Does not host audio; the show still needs a hosting provider elsewhere

Criterion Channel

  • Maximum streaming quality is HD, no 4K or Ultra HD
  • No PlayStation 4 app available
  • HDCP compatibility issues reported on some devices like Chromebooks and Xbox One
  • No live chat or phone support for customer service
  • Limited library compared to mainstream services like Netflix and Hulu

Pricing, plan by plan

Apple Podcasts Connect

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Podcast submission
    • Analytics dashboard
    • Episode management
  • Subscriptions Program$19.99/year
    • Premium subscriptions
    • Paid content
    • Subscriber management

Criterion Channel

$10.99/month
  • Monthly$10.99/month
  • Annual$99.99/year

Which should you pick?

Choose Apple Podcasts Connect if

  • You need podcast submission.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Macos.
  • You also want episode management.
Apple Podcasts Connect review

Choose Criterion Channel if

  • You need criterion films.
  • You work on Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox.
  • You also want 4k restoration.
Criterion Channel review

Questions people ask

Is Apple Podcasts Connect or Criterion Channel better?
Neither clearly leads. Apple Podcasts Connect starts at Free and Criterion Channel at $10.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Apple Podcasts Connect or Criterion Channel?
Apple Podcasts Connect has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Apple Podcasts Connect and $10.99/month for Criterion Channel.
Does Apple Podcasts Connect or Criterion Channel run on more platforms?
Apple Podcasts Connect runs on Web, Ios, Macos. Criterion Channel runs on Web, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, Amazon Fire TV, Xbox.
Can I use Apple Podcasts Connect for free?
Yes. Apple Podcasts Connect has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Criterion Channel starts at $10.99/month.
What is Apple Podcasts Connect best used for?
Apple Podcasts Connect is most often used for submitting a new podcast to apple podcasts, claiming an existing show so it is registered to your account, reviewing apple podcasts listener trends and analytics, managing show artwork and metadata. Of those, submitting a new podcast to apple podcasts and claiming an existing show so it is registered to your account are not what Criterion Channel is typically brought in for.
What can Apple Podcasts Connect do that Criterion Channel cannot?
Apple Podcasts Connect covers Podcast submission, Episode management, Analytics, Subscription monetization. Criterion Channel covers Criterion films, 4K restoration, Essays, Special features. Both handle Web support, Ios support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Criterion Channel: Can I watch Criterion Channel offline?

No, Criterion Channel requires an active internet connection for streaming. The service does not offer offline viewing or download capabilities.

Source
Criterion Channel: What devices does Criterion Channel work on?

Criterion Channel works on Amazon Fire TV, Android, Apple TV, iOS, Roku, Samsung TV, and Xbox. There is no PlayStation app or dedicated mobile app for iOS/Android.

Source
Criterion Channel: How much does Criterion Channel cost?

Criterion Channel costs $10.99/month or $99.99/year with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers.

Source
Criterion Channel: What is the maximum video quality on Criterion Channel?

Criterion Channel streams in HD quality only. The service does not offer 4K or Ultra HD resolution.

Source
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Related pages

More on Apple Podcasts Connect

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