The Verge packages its ad-free podcast feature with other benefits like exclusive newsletters and unlimited articles. This bundling strategy increases the subscription's perceived value beyond a single perk, making it more compelling to a wider range of potential subscribers.
By requiring paid subscribers to actively opt into the ad-free podcast experience, The Verge likely capitalizes on user inertia. This allows them to continue serving ads to paying users who don't change their settings, preserving ad revenue while still being able to promote the premium perk.