X

Apple to lower fee on in-app subscriptions for publishers in its News Partner Program

Apple's News Partner Program will start with a 15% commission rate.

erin-carson
erin-carson
Erin Carson Former Senior Writer
Erin Carson covered internet culture, online dating and the weird ways tech and science are changing your life.
Expertise Erin has been a tech reporter for almost 10 years. Her reporting has taken her from the Johnson Space Center to San Diego Comic-Con's famous Hall H. Credentials
  • She has a master's degree in journalism from Syracuse University.
See full bio
Erin Carson
apple-wwdc-2018-1089

Apple has a new program for publishers.

 James Martin/CNET

Apple is making changes to how it works with news publications. 

In a blog post Thursday, Apple introduced its Apple News Partner Program, which is aimed at subscription-based news publications already using its Apple News format. Under the new program, Apple is lowering its commission rate on "qualifying in-app purchase subscriptions" to 15%, down from 30% for publications' first year. 

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.