Apple has announced changes to how it works with news publications under its News Partner Program.
In a blog post on Thursday, Apple launched its Apple News Partner Program, which is aimed at subscription-based news publications already using its Apple News format. In the new program announced, Apple has lowered its commission rate on “qualifying in-app purchase subscriptions” to 15%, down from 30% for publications’ first year.
Apple’s News Partner Program allows publishers to Keep 100% of the revenues on sales
Apple News Format also supports advertising, and publishers keep 100% of the revenue from ads they sell within Apple News.
The Apple News Partner Program also includes a recommitment of support for nonprofits like Common Sense Media and the News Literacy Project, as well as support and funding for yet-to-be-named groups that “educate news consumers on media literacy and further efforts to diversify news coverage and newsrooms.”
The program also comes with a list of eligibility requirements.
The move comes as Apple is still involved in a trial with Epic Games. The Fortnite maker sued Apple in August over its commission structure after Apple banned Fortnite from the App Store. Apple charges up to 30% commission for in-app purchases of digital goods like extra lives to play a game or a subscription to an app. That fee has faced scrutiny from companies like Epic as well as lawmakers.
