Pocket Casts did some update I didn't like so I switched to Podcast Republic and haven't looked back. I do have Spotify Premium aswell but that is and always will be for music only.
i stopped using pocket casts when they started adding pay for features into the main UI but disabled. i'd bought pocket casts but up until that point i was glad it was made free as it was the best podcast app for android, now i use antennapod, and it's fine.
Probably putting Apple Watch and file features behind a sub. That happened ages ago but they really haven’t change the UI since I’ve been using it for a decade (or so).
Just an illustration of what the article is talking about; I can switch to another app and still get the same podcasts. Not the case with Netflix, Spotify, HBO and so on.