Spotify adopts Apple’s HLS standard to unlock video podcast distribution
The move aligns Spotify with Apple’s proprietary streaming protocol, enabling cross-platform video content and dynamic ad insertion while maintaining legacy audio RSS feeds.
Spotify and its primary podcast hosting platforms, including Megaphone, are adopting Apple’s HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) technology for video podcasts. This strategic integration allows video content hosted on Spotify to be distributed directly to Apple Podcasts, following Apple’s inclusion of HLS support in the iOS 26.4 update. The adoption marks a significant shift in how video audio content is standardised across major digital platforms.
The HLS protocol, originally developed by Apple to facilitate video streaming on iPhone devices, enables several key features for video podcasts. These include the ability to switch seamlessly between video and audio-only streams, support for offline downloads, and the integration of dynamic ad insertion. These capabilities are critical for creators seeking to monetise their content through targeted advertising and enhanced user engagement.
While Spotify has not provided a specific timeline for the full implementation of HLS across Spotify for Creators and Megaphone, the company has confirmed that audio-only RSS feeds will remain available. This ensures compatibility for users listening through applications that do not yet support the new streaming standard, maintaining access for audiences who prefer traditional audio formats.
In a parallel development, Spotify’s Distribution API is now officially supported by a range of hosting platforms, including Audioboom, Audiomeans, Podigee, Podspace, and Libsyn. This expansion allows these partners to distribute video content to Spotify, access the company’s video monetisation programs, and utilise its video analytics tools. The API partners retain the flexibility to choose which specific video features they wish to support within their own platforms.
The move towards a unified streaming standard mirrors the approach taken by other major technology firms, including Microsoft, Google, and Twitch, which already utilise HLS. However, the reliance on Apple’s proprietary technology, which is not open in the same manner as RSS, raises questions about market concentration. While the standardisation offers convenience for users and creators, it also centralises control over video podcast distribution within the ecosystem defined by Apple’s specifications.
