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May 14, 2026
Analyzed by GPT OSS 120B

Spotify to Adopt Apple’s HLS Video Podcast Tech, Boosting Cross‑Platform Reach

AI Summary
Spotify will integrate Apple’s HLS streaming protocol, allowing creators to distribute video podcasts on Apple Podcasts without changing their workflows. The move expands cross‑platform reach and adds new monetization tools for video‑first podcasters.

Spotify Announces Adoption of Apple’s HLS Video Streaming

Spotify confirmed on Thursday that it will support Apple’s HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) technology, first rolled out on Apple Podcasts, to power video podcasts hosted on its platform. The integration enables creators to publish and monetize video episodes on Apple Podcasts while keeping their existing Spotify setup unchanged.

Technical Integration of HLS into Spotify’s Podcast Platform

HLS automatically adjusts video quality in real time based on the listener’s network conditions, delivering smooth playback over Wi‑Fi or cellular connections. Spotify plans to roll out the HLS upgrade later in 2026, ensuring a consistent high‑quality experience for all video podcast listeners.

Scale of Video Podcast Consumption on Spotify

  • As of November 2025, nearly half a million shows have streamed video podcasts on Spotify.
  • More than 390 million users have accessed video podcast content.

Cross‑Platform Opportunities and Competitive Landscape

The HLS adoption removes a technical barrier between Spotify and Apple’s podcast ecosystems, expanding creator reach without requiring additional infrastructure. It also complements Spotify’s recent initiatives, such as direct sales options and new partner integrations, and supports hosting providers—including Libsyn, Podigee, Audioboom, Audiomeans, and Podspace—to publish video podcasts directly to Spotify.

Future Outlook for Video Podcast Monetization

By simplifying distribution and enhancing video quality, Spotify positions itself to capture a larger share of the growing video‑first podcast audience. The combined effect of broader platform access and expanded revenue tools suggests accelerated growth in video podcast production and a tighter competitive race with Apple for creator loyalty.