Spotify to Adopt Apple HLS Video Technology for Smoother Video Podcasts
Spotify is preparing to bring Apple’s HLS video streaming technology to its platform, a move designed to improve video podcast playback and help creators reach wider audiences across major podcast apps.
The company announced that it will support HLS, short for HTTP Live Streaming, for Spotify-hosted shows. This means creators will soon be able to distribute and monetize their video podcasts on Apple Podcasts without changing their current publishing workflow or technical setup.
For podcast creators, the change could be a major advantage. Instead of managing separate video formats or complicated distribution processes, eligible Spotify-hosted shows will be able to reach audiences on Apple Podcasts more easily while continuing to generate revenue from their content.
For viewers, the biggest benefit is smoother, more reliable video playback. HLS automatically adjusts video quality based on the strength of a user’s internet connection. If someone is watching on a strong Wi-Fi connection, the video can stream at a higher quality. If they switch to mobile data or experience a weaker signal, the stream can scale down in real time to reduce buffering and interruptions.
That adaptive streaming experience is especially important as video podcasts continue to grow in popularity. Audiences increasingly expect video content to play smoothly across phones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, and other connected devices. By adopting HLS, Spotify is aiming to deliver a more consistent viewing experience for video podcast fans, whether they are at home, commuting, or watching on the go.
Spotify said the HLS upgrades are expected to roll out later this year. Alongside the video streaming improvements, the company is also expanding monetization options for creators, including direct sales opportunities and new partner integrations.
Spotify is also opening up more ways for podcast publishers to bring video content to its platform. Creators using hosting providers such as Libsyn, Podigee, Audioboom, Audiomeans, and Podspace can now publish video podcasts directly to Spotify and earn revenue through the Spotify Partner Program. This feature is now live after being announced earlier this year.
The update reflects Spotify’s larger push into video podcasting. Since launching video podcasts in 2020, the platform has steadily invested in tools that make it easier for creators to publish, distribute, and monetize visual content. Earlier this year, Spotify also reduced some of the requirements for video monetization, giving more creators a path to earning from their shows.
Video has become one of the fastest-growing areas in podcasting, as more listeners choose to watch conversations, interviews, commentary, and entertainment shows rather than only listen to them. Spotify’s latest improvements are designed to support that shift by giving creators better distribution options and giving audiences a more polished viewing experience.
The scale of Spotify’s video podcast growth is already significant. By November 2025, nearly half a million shows had offered video content on the platform, and more than 390 million users had streamed a video podcast through Spotify.
By adopting HLS and expanding creator monetization tools, Spotify is positioning itself to compete more aggressively in the video podcast market. The move could make video podcasting easier for publishers, more profitable for creators, and more enjoyable for viewers who expect high-quality streaming wherever they watch.
