Apple Introduces Advanced Video Podcast Experience on Apple Podcasts

Apple has announced a major upgrade to Apple Podcasts, bringing advanced video podcast capabilities to the platform. The new experience, powered by Apple’s industry-leading HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) technology, is designed to enhance how users watch and listen to podcasts while giving creators greater control over monetisation and content distribution.

The update is set to roll out this spring and aims to make switching between audio and video formats seamless within the Apple Podcasts app.

Seamless Switching Between Video and Audio

With the new update, users will be able to effortlessly switch between watching and listening to podcast episodes within the app. Video playback will support full-screen horizontal viewing, offline downloads, and adaptive streaming quality through HLS technology.

Automatic quality adjustments ensure smooth playback across different network conditions, whether users are on Wi-Fi or cellular data. Video episodes will also integrate with existing Apple Podcasts features such as personalised recommendations, editorial curation, and category-based discovery.

Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services, said:

“Twenty years ago, Apple helped take podcasting mainstream by adding podcasts to iTunes, and more than a decade ago, we introduced the dedicated Apple Podcasts app,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services. “Today marks a defining milestone in that journey. By bringing a category-leading video experience to Apple Podcasts, we’re putting creators in full control of their content and how they build their businesses, while making it easier than ever for audiences to listen to or watch podcasts.”

New Monetisation Opportunities for Creators

The introduction of HLS-powered video podcasts also opens new monetisation pathways for creators. Podcast publishers distributing through participating hosting providers and ad networks will maintain control over their content and advertising strategies.

At launch, providers supporting HLS video include:

• Acast
• ART19 (an Amazon company)
• Triton’s Omny Studio
• SiriusXM (including SiriusXM Media, AdsWizz, and Simplecast)

For the first time on Apple Podcasts, creators will be able to dynamically insert video advertisements, including host-read spots. This enables access to broader video advertising markets without disrupting subscribers or existing downloads.

Apple will not charge hosting providers or creators for distributing podcasts on Apple Podcasts through RSS/MP3 or HLS video. However, Apple plans to charge participating ad networks an impression-based fee for dynamic video ad delivery later this year.

Industry Reactions

Greg Glenday, Acast’s CEO, commented:

“Apple Podcasts is synonymous with podcasting itself. Bringing video to the platform is a defining moment — expanding what’s possible for creators, advertisers, and the medium as a whole,” said Greg Glenday, Acast’s CEO. “We are proud to help lead this evolution, unlocking new audiences and revenue for Acast creators and a premium new canvas for brand storytelling. This integration reinforces our position as a vital growth engine for modern podcast businesses. We’re ensuring that no creator or advertiser leaves revenue or reach on the table.”

Geoff Mattei, ART19’s CEO, said:

“Video is the next chapter for podcasting. Simplifying audio distribution and empowering creators with flexible monetisation solutions are what ART19 was built on, and now video deserves that same experience,” said Geoff Mattei, ART19’s CEO. “Working with Apple Podcasts to bring video distribution to publishers is a significant moment for creators who’ve been waiting for this.”

Scott Walker, SiriusXM’s chief advertising revenue officer, added:

“Podcasting has evolved leaps and bounds over the past decade, and this innovation from Apple helps to keep the integrity of what makes the medium so special, while enhancing video and audio with new capabilities as the two formats continue to converge,” said Scott Walker, SiriusXM’s chief advertising revenue officer. “For publishers, marketers, and creators, HLS video on Apple Podcasts brings a fresh opportunity to grow their businesses. As a leader in podcasting that has championed an open ecosystem approach, we’re thrilled to see a major player like Apple continue to advance the podcasting industry and support the advertising community.”

Sharon Taylor, Triton Digital’s chief revenue officer, stated:

“Video is becoming an increasingly important way audiences engage with audio content, and Apple’s move into this space marks a meaningful step forward,” said Sharon Taylor, Triton Digital’s chief revenue officer. “An open approach that enables publishers to retain control over their audiences, advertising, and measurement — while expanding access to content across formats — supports long-term growth and greater choice for listeners.”

Beta Availability and Rollout

HLS video support is currently available for testing in beta versions of:

• iOS 26.4
• iPadOS 26.4
• visionOS 26.4

The feature will expand to iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision Pro, and Apple Podcasts on the web later this spring.

Apple Podcasts currently operates in over 170 countries and offers millions of shows across hundreds of categories. Existing features such as Enhance Dialogue mode, adjustable playback speeds (0.5x to 3x), automatically generated chapters, timed links, and transcripts across more than 125 million episodes will continue to be available.

Creators and hosting providers can learn more about enabling HLS video at podcasters.apple.com.