Playback failed on downloaded pods

Hello there, CTownBeRad.

To troubleshoot your issue, the following Knowledge Base article should prove helpful:

iOS: Troubleshooting applications purchased from the App Store

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS1702

Thanks for reaching out to Apple Support Communities.

Cheers,

Pedro D.

Same issue here, reinstalled, hard reset, still no.

Having to delete and redownload each podcast.

Amazed this has been a known issue for a year and the solutions are the usual troubleshooting things, not fixing the broken app, say.

I have this issue and have followed all the steps at both links, I even deleted and redownloaded my podcasts, and even went as far as to restore my phone from back up. I listen to podcasts all day and I used the music app on my phone until the podcasts app was released and have used it since. It started this when I upgraded my 4s to iOS 7 leaving me to having to dig out my old shuffle and loading tracks on it just so I can listen to them.

I've had problems with the Podcast app since I upgraded, but my problems were the app crashing to the desktop. Apple solved it for me by setting the podcasts not to sync with the computer when I connect (since I have my podcasts downloading over the air these days). Even if that is not your issue, you can try that if you sync to your computer, download your podcasts over the air, and still sync them to the computer.

I also get that message when I have a poor connectio and the podcast isn't actually downloaded -- especially lately since I'm working part time in a buliding made of concrete and steel that makes cell reception almost impossible. I've also gotten it with some podcasts when there is an error in the podcast. Obviously you shouldn't get it for all of them. But if the podcast isn't downloaded (there is a square with an arrow inside) try downloading it by pressing on the square. If it downloads try playing it then.

Frankly we're all hoping they fix this app. There are other podcast apps and maybe we should consider buying one. Maybe Apple is trying to tell us something. It's really inertia keeping me using Apple's app.

Problem with other apps for me is how content handling works. I have my iPhone, my iPad, shuffle, and classic, then both my kids have touches. It is extremely helpful for podcasts and music to correctly sync to all devices from one source, my computer, with play count and played/unplayed and so on. If I have to use third party apps that leave me having to configure and update all my devices separately, it would be easier to just listen to pandora

I finally got both my music and podcasts to work by

1. Erasing all podcasts and music manually from the iPhone

2. Deleting the podcast app

3. Plugged in the iPhone to my computer and let it sync

4. Unchecking all audio (Music, podcasts, tones, audiobooks) to sync, the turned on "Manually Manage Music", and letting it sync

5. Going in each section and deleting everything in every tab with audio content on the phone then letting it sync

6. Turning manual off again and then telling iTunes to sync all of it. (Music, podcasts, tones, audiobooks) again then clicking apply

7. Downloading podcast app again

Everything worked after that. It shouldn't have taken that complicated mess to get it to work, and I'm hoping it doesn't stop working as soon as I need to sync to add new content, but that fix is working for now