February 16, 2026
UPDATE
Apple introduces a brand new video podcast expertise on Apple Podcasts
Apple Podcasts will allow HLS video podcasts with a finest‑in‑class expertise for creators and customers
Apple as we speak introduced a transformative replace coming to Apple Podcasts this spring that may convey superior video podcast capabilities to the app. This enhanced video podcast expertise makes use of Apple’s industry-leading HTTP Stay Streaming (HLS) know-how to set a brand new customary that empowers podcast creators with unprecedented management and monetization alternatives whereas delivering the highest-quality viewing expertise for customers.
“Twenty years in the past, Apple helped take podcasting mainstream by including podcasts to iTunes, and greater than a decade in the past, we launched the devoted Apple Podcasts app,” stated Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice chairman of Companies. “In the present day marks a defining milestone in that journey. By bringing a category-leading video expertise to Apple Podcasts, we’re placing creators in full management of their content material and the way they construct their companies, whereas making it simpler than ever for audiences to hearken to or watch podcasts.”
Within the Apple Podcasts app, customers will have the ability to change seamlessly between watching and listening to exhibits, making the expertise of discovering and viewing video podcasts as easy and fulfilling as listening to audio podcasts has all the time been. Customers can watch video from inside the app and transfer to horizontal full show, in addition to obtain movies to observe offline. And computerized high quality adjustment powered by HLS know-how ensures easy playback throughout community situations, delivering the absolute best expertise whether or not listeners are on Wi-Fi or a mobile connection. Video episodes will combine with present options Apple Podcasts customers already love, together with personalised suggestions and editorial curation on the New tab and in Class pages.
The brand new video podcast expertise empowers creators. Creators distribute by means of taking part internet hosting suppliers and advert networks, sustaining full management of their content material and monetization. Acast; ART19, an Amazon firm; Triton’s Omny Studio; and SiriusXM, inclusive of SiriusXM Media, AdsWizz, and Simplecast, are supporting HLS video at launch, with further suppliers to affix sooner or later. For the primary time, creators can dynamically insert video adverts — together with host-read spots — unlocking entry to the broader video promoting market whereas sustaining full inventive management. Video integrates seamlessly into present exhibits with out disrupting followers or downloads, and creators can monetize by means of sponsorships and dynamic promoting. Apple doesn’t cost internet hosting suppliers or creators to distribute podcasts on Apple Podcasts, whether or not through conventional RSS/MP3 or HLS video. Apple will cost taking part advert networks an impression-based price for the supply of dynamic adverts in HLS video on Apple Podcasts beginning later this yr.
“Apple Podcasts is synonymous with podcasting itself. Bringing video to the platform is a defining second — increasing what’s potential for creators, advertisers, and the medium as a complete,” stated Greg Glenday, Acast’s CEO. “We’re proud to assist lead this evolution, unlocking new audiences and income for Acast creators and a premium new canvas for model storytelling. This integration reinforces our place as an important development engine for contemporary podcast companies. We’re making certain that no creator or advertiser leaves income or attain on the desk.”
“Video is the following chapter for podcasting. Simplifying audio distribution and empowering creators with versatile monetization options are what ART19 was constructed on, and now video deserves that very same expertise,” stated Geoff Mattei, ART19’s CEO. “Working with Apple Podcasts to convey video distribution to publishers is a big second for creators who’ve been ready for this.”
“Podcasting has developed leaps and bounds over the previous decade, and this innovation from Apple helps to maintain the integrity of what makes the medium so particular, whereas enhancing video and audio with new capabilities as the 2 codecs proceed to converge,” stated Scott Walker, SiriusXM’s chief promoting income officer. “For publishers, entrepreneurs, and creators, HLS video on Apple Podcasts brings a recent alternative to develop their companies. As a frontrunner in podcasting that has championed an open ecosystem strategy, we’re thrilled to see a serious participant like Apple proceed to advance the podcasting {industry} and assist the promoting group.”
“Video is turning into an more and more vital method audiences have interaction with audio content material, and Apple’s transfer into this house marks a significant step ahead,” stated Sharon Taylor, Triton Digital’s chief income officer. “An open strategy that permits publishers to retain management over their audiences, promoting, and measurement — whereas increasing entry to content material throughout codecs — helps long-term development and larger selection for listeners.”
Podcast internet hosting suppliers and podcast creators can be taught extra about how one can allow HLS video on Apple Podcasts, in addition to how one can use Apple merchandise and instruments to seize, produce, and share distinctive video podcast episodes at podcasters.apple.com.
The addition of HLS video podcasts builds on the unbelievable expertise Apple Podcasts already provides in additional than 170 international locations and areas. As a devoted app designed particularly for podcasts, Apple Podcasts permits customers to discover hundreds of thousands of exhibits throughout a whole bunch of classes and customise their listening and viewing expertise with options like Improve Dialogue mode, playback speeds from 0.5x to 3x, routinely created chapters, timed hyperlinks, and transcripts throughout over 125 million episodes in 13 languages. Listeners may immediately assist creators by means of premium subscriptions with advantages like unique content material and ad-free listening.
Beginning as we speak, HLS video is offered for testing in beta variations of iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and visionOS 26.4. The performance will come to iPhone, iPad, and Apple Imaginative and prescient Professional customers, in addition to through Apple Podcasts on the net this spring. Apple’s podcast catalog is offered throughout iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, CarPlay, Imaginative and prescient Professional, and on the net, at podcasts.apple.com.
Press Contacts
Rosa Oh
Apple
Heather Norton
Apple
Apple Media Helpline