Does msnbc offer an ad-free subscription for rachel maddow shows or podcasts?

1. What the question is really asking: subscription vs. platform nuance

The user is asking whether MSNBC sells an ad-free subscription specifically for Rachel Maddow shows or podcasts — a question that requires distinguishing between (a) a network-level paid podcast tier that covers multiple shows and (b) whether every Rachel Maddow episode is removed from ads across all distribution points; reporting shows MSNBC has created a paid podcast tier, but the availability of ad-free listening varies by program and platform ^{[1] [2] [5]}.

2. The paid option: MS NOW / MSNBC Premium on Apple Podcasts

MSNBC has launched a premium podcast tier on Apple Podcasts — described in reporting as MS NOW Premium or MSNBC Premium — that advertises ad-free listening, early episode access and bonus content for subscribers, and is explicitly promoted as a way to get “all of your favorite MS podcasts without ads” ^{[1] [2] [3] [5]}. Pricing cited in the Apple Podcasts snippets places the offer at $2.99/month or $29.99/year after a promotional trial, with occasional free trial windows such as a three-month promotion ^[2].

3. How that applies to Rachel Maddow’s podcasts

The premium tier is presented as covering the network’s suite of podcasts, including Rachel Maddow’s offerings — “The Rachel Maddow Show” podcast feed and her original series such as “Rachel Maddow Presents: Ultra” or newer series — so subscribing to MS NOW Premium on Apple Podcasts should deliver ad-free versions of those podcast episodes on that platform ^{[2] [3] [1]}.

4. Free availability and exceptions: some Maddow series remain free

Despite the paid option, reporting shows at least some Rachel Maddow series or specific seasons have been made available for free on regular podcast feeds and on the network’s blog; for example, the Rachel Maddow Blog notes that the six episodes of “Burn Order” are available to listen to for free “wherever you get your podcasts,” indicating not all Maddow content is gated behind the premium tier ^[4]. Standard feeds such as Spotify and Apple’s free podcast listings also host Rachel Maddow episodes, which may include ads unless the listener is on the MS NOW Premium tier ^{[6] [2]}.

5. Where ad-free for video differs: Peacock and TV streaming

For televised episodes or on-demand video of The Rachel Maddow Show, ad-free viewing is handled separately through streaming services: Peacock offers tiers (Peacock Premium Plus) that remove ads for on-demand Peacock content, a different product than MS NOW Premium for podcasts; reporting cites Peacock’s ad-free tier as a route to watch on-demand MSNBC episodes without commercials ^[7]. This highlights a platform distinction: podcast ad-free subscriptions on Apple Podcasts are not the same product as ad-free streaming of TV episodes on Peacock ^{[7] [2]}.

6. Limitations, caveats and what reporting does not confirm

Available reporting confirms the existence of an Apple Podcasts–centered premium tier and that it advertises ad-free listening for the network’s podcast slate, but sources do not provide exhaustive lists of every Maddow episode behind paywalls nor the exact ad behavior on third-party platforms for every feed and region; therefore, a listener’s experience can depend on the platform (Apple Podcasts premium vs. free Apple feed vs. Spotify), the specific Maddow series, and promotional windows mentioned in the snippets ^{[2] [4] [6]}.

7. Bottom line

MSNBC does offer a paid, ad-free podcast subscription option for Rachel Maddow’s podcasts through its MS NOW / MSNBC Premium offering on Apple Podcasts, marketed to remove ads and provide early access and extras ^{[2] [1] [3]}; however, some Maddow podcasts are simultaneously distributed free on open feeds, and TV-streaming ad-free options are handled separately via services like Peacock, so the exact ad-free outcome depends on which platform and feed a listener uses ^{[4] [7] [6]}.