Apple has announced a significant upgrade to its Apple Podcasts service, introducing a new video podcast feature set to launch this spring. This update aims to enhance the user experience and provide creators with greater control and monetization options.
Transformative Video Podcast Experience
The new capability utilizes Apple’s HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) technology. This industry-leading feature allows for seamless switching between audio and video formats. Users can now easily discover, watch, and listen to their favorite podcasts without the usual barriers associated with video content.
User-Friendly Features
With this enhancement, Apple Podcasts users will enjoy:
- Horizontal full-screen viewing for a more immersive experience.
- Offline video downloading for convenience.
- Automatic quality adjustments that ensure smooth playback, regardless of network conditions.
These features aim to replicate the enjoyable experience users have come to expect from audio podcasts, but now with the added dimension of video.
Empowering Podcast Creators
The update supports a range of hosting providers, including:
- Acast
- ART19 (an Amazon company)
- Triton’s Omny Studio
- SiriusXM (including SiriusXM Media and AdsWizz)
Podcast creators maintain full control over their content and monetization strategies. This new format allows for the dynamic insertion of video ads, enhancing revenue opportunities while preserving creative control.
Advertising Opportunities
Apple will implement a fee-based system for advertising, charging networks per impression for dynamic ads served in HLS video podcasts. This approach opens up new revenue streams for podcast creators and advertisers alike.
Industry Perspectives
Industry leaders have welcomed this move. Eddy Cue, Apple’s Senior Vice President of Services, stated, “This is a defining milestone in our journey with podcasting.” Others, such as Greg Glenday, CEO of Acast, echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the new opportunities for revenue and audience engagement.
Geoff Mattei, CEO of ART19, noted that this development simplifies distribution and empowers creators as they venture into video. Scott Walker from SiriusXM remarked on the evolution of podcasting, appreciating the enhanced capabilities that this update brings.
Availability
The beta version of the HLS video feature is currently available for testing on iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and visionOS 26.4. The full rollout to iPhones, iPads, and Apple Vision Pro devices is expected this spring.
Apple Podcasts remains available in over 170 countries, giving users access to millions of shows across diverse categories. The integration of video podcasts is an exciting development in the podcasting landscape, promising growth and innovation for both creators and listeners.
