Apple is rolling out a new video podcast experience in Apple Podcasts this spring, built on HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) technology.
The update is designed to let audiences switch between watching and listening inside the Apple Podcasts app, while giving creators more options for distribution and monetisation.
What’s changing in Apple Podcasts
Apple says users will be able to:
- Switch seamlessly between video and audio playback
- Watch in a horizontal full-screen display
- Download video episodes for offline viewing
- Get automatic video quality adjustment across Wi-Fi and mobile networks (via HLS)
Video episodes will also plug into existing Apple Podcasts discovery features, including personalised recommendations and editorial curation in the New tab and Category pages.
Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services, said the change was a “defining milestone” for the platform and would put creators “in full control” of their content and business models.
Podcast viewers will be able to change from audio to video seamlessly
Creator distribution and monetisation
Apple said creators will distribute video podcasts through participating hosting providers and ad networks, while maintaining control over content and monetisation.
At launch, Apple said the following will support HLS video distribution:
- Acast
- ART19 (an Amazon company)
- Triton’s Omny Studio
- SiriusXM (including SiriusXM Media, AdsWizz, and Simplecast)
Apple said more providers will join over time.
For the first time, Apple Podcasts will also support dynamic insertion of video ads, including host-read spots, aimed at opening up access to broader video ad budgets without changing how existing podcast shows are followed or downloaded.
What Apple will charge for
Apple said it does not charge hosting providers or creators to distribute podcasts on Apple Podcasts, whether via traditional RSS/MP3 feeds or HLS video.
However, Apple said it will charge participating ad networks an impression-based fee for delivery of dynamic ads in HLS video on Apple Podcasts, starting later this year.
Greg Glenday, CEO of Acast, described Apple’s move as “a defining moment” for the medium, citing new audiences and revenue opportunities for creators.
Geoff Mattei, CEO of ART19, said video “deserves that same experience” as audio distribution, and called the Apple collaboration significant for publishers.
Scott Walker, SiriusXM’s chief advertising revenue officer, said the move creates “a fresh opportunity” for publishers, marketers, and creators as video and audio converge.
Sharon Taylor, Triton Digital’s chief revenue officer, said an “open approach” that lets publishers retain control over audiences, advertising, and measurement supports long-term growth and choice.
Timing and device support
Apple said HLS video is available for testing from today in beta versions of iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and visionOS 26.4.
The functionality is slated to arrive this spring for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Vision Pro users, as well as Apple Podcasts on the web.
Why HLS matters
HLS is a streaming standard that adapts video quality in real time based on network conditions. Apple is positioning it as the backbone for smoother playback and offline downloads inside Apple Podcasts.