Spotify announced its podcasting platforms, Spotify for Creators and Megaphone, will adopt Apple’s HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) technology for video podcasts. This adoption follows Apple’s announcement in February that its Apple Podcasts app would support HLS with the release of iOS 26.4, enabling Spotify-exclusive video podcasts to be distributed to Apple’s app.
The HLS protocol, developed by Apple, simplifies video streaming on devices like the iPhone. Key benefits of switching to HLS include the ability to toggle between video and audio-only streams and the support for offline downloads. Additionally, HLS allows for dynamic ad insertion, a critical feature for podcast monetization.
HLS is proprietary technology created by Apple, presenting a contrast to the open nature of RSS, which can lead to increased concentration of power within the podcast industry. However, the alignment of major companies like Microsoft, Google, and Twitch on HLS is generally beneficial for users.
Spotify has not specified a timeline for the implementation of HLS in its platforms. However, it confirmed that audio-only RSS feeds will remain accessible to listeners using applications that do not support HLS.
Furthermore, Spotify is expanding its Distribution API to include more podcast hosting platforms, including Audioboom, Audiomeans, Podigee, Podspace, and Libsyn. This support permits these platforms to distribute video content to Spotify, utilize its video monetization programs, and access video analytics. The extent of feature availability for Spotify’s API will depend on the choices made by these podcast hosting platforms.
