HomePod mini no longer playing podcasts

I have the same problem on all of my 5 HomePod Minis after the 15.1 update.

I used to listen to german news from "Deutschlandfunk Nachrichten" in the morning or other times of the day and now Siri just answers that there is a problem with Apple Podcasts.

In one of the replies below I see that someone contacted Apple about it and they are aware of it, that's good to know.

I'll create a ticket too to let them know about the problem.

Same problem after 15.1 upgrade on mini and original HomePod. I ask to play bbc news and all I get is “sorry there was a problem with apple podcasts”. Tried powering down, resets and reconfiguring but still same problem on both devices.

I have the same problem since the 15.1 Update. Podcast don’t work anymore. Not via Siri and not directly via Podcast app and Airplay.

This is frustrating, because it worked just until before the update, and because I use my HomePod mini for Podcasts regularly.

If I try to play podcasts from my MacMini via the Podcasts app, it'll play for 30 seconds or so, then the audio dies, while the Podcasts app continue to 'play' (the clock shows it's playing. Also super disappointed I can't play podcasts from my desktop mac and a Homepod Mini network simultaneously. It will with the Music app, but not Podcast app. Both Apple apps. About to return the darn things.

I have the same problem since the update. I have spoken to Apple Support who say they are aware of the issue and are aiming to implement a fix in the next update.