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Amazon offers to pay Australians to stream podcasts

Some eligible Amazon Music users are being offered $5 if they stream at least one podcast through the service in May.

Some eligible Amazon Music users are being offered $5 if they stream at least one podcast through the service in May.

Amazon is offering to pay some of its Australian customers who agree to stream at least one podcast through its Amazon Music app this month.

According to a promotion spotted by The Desk over the weekend, Amazon has started sending e-mails and push notifications to “eligible customers” with a $5 promotional credit just for streaming a podcast on Amazon Music.

There are a few strings attached to the offer, though: Only customers who received an e-mail or push alert specifically mentioning the deal are eligible to receive it, and customers can only redeem their $5 promotional credit if they purchase at least $20 worth of physical items from Amazon’s Australian online shop.

Customers can’t use their promotional credit for Amazon Renewed items, digital devices like e-books or MP3s, gift cards or to pay for delivery of an item.

Amazon says eligible customers must stream a podcast episode through the Amazon Music app by March 23 to get the discount code.

Australian customers of Amazon can check to see if they are eligible by clicking or tapping this link, then signing in to their Amazon accounts at the top of the page.

Amazon’s interest in podcasts started several years ago, and accelerated when it purchased the production company Wondery, the maker of popular shows like “Business Wars” and “Dr. Death.”

In August 2020, The Desk reported Amazon was in the process of incorporating podcasts into its Amazon Music streaming audio app, which now offers access to Amazon’s own line of original shows under the Audible Originals brand name.

Last November, Amazon said it had started offering podcasts that removed commercial interruptions for members of its Prime subscription service. Those podcasts include on-demand shows produced by NPR, CNN, ESPN, the New York Times and Wondery.

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About the Author:

Matthew Keys

Matthew Keys covers the business of broadcast and streaming TV, radio broadcasting, social media, technology and telecommunications. A journalist for over 15 years, Matthew previously worked at Thomson Reuters, KGO-TV in San Francisco, KTXL in Sacramento and McNaughton Newspapers. He received 9 California Journalism Awards between 2018 and 2020, and is a member of IRE (Investigative Reporters and Editors).
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