Spotify Adopting Apple's HLS Technology for Video Podcasts

Spotify is expanding support for video podcasts with new third-party hosting integrations and upcoming Apple Podcasts distribution support for creators using its hosting platforms.



Creators using Libsyn, Podigee, Audioboom, Audiomeans, and Podspace can now distribute video podcasts directly to Spotify through the Spotify Distribution API. The integration also enables eligible creators to monetize video content through the Spotify Partner Program. Spotify says additional monetization tools, including dynamic direct sales, are expected to arrive for partners in the near future.


Later this year, Spotify for Creators and Megaphone will add support for Apple Podcasts' HLS video technology, allowing creators hosted on Spotify's platforms to distribute video podcast content across both Spotify and Apple Podcasts without changing their existing workflows.

Apple recently introduced HLS video streaming for Apple Podcasts, bringing improved playback reliability and support for dynamic ad insertion.

Spotify says the upcoming integration will also support monetization for video podcasts distributed through Apple's platform, helping creators generate revenue across both Spotify and Apple Podcasts. The company says it is actively working with Apple on the rollout and will share additional timeline details later.

Spotify also noted that video podcasts uploaded to Spotify are distributed directly to the platform rather than through RSS feeds, enabling features such as engagement-based monetization and real-time analytics. Traditional RSS feeds will continue to handle audio distribution to other podcast platforms.


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