Spotify has announced its intention to integrate Apple's HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) video technology, a recent innovation aimed at enriching the video podcast experience on Apple Podcasts. This strategic move allows Spotify-hosted shows to seamlessly distribute and monetize their video content on Apple Podcasts, broadening the reach of creators without necessitating any adjustments to their current setups.
With the implementation of HLS, Spotify users can expect a consistently superior video experience, regardless of their internet connection. This technology dynamically adjusts video quality in real-time based on network speed, ensuring smooth playback whether users are connected to high-speed Wi-Fi or using cellular data. As a result, video podcasts will experience significantly reduced buffering and fewer disruptions in quality.
Scheduled for rollout later this year, Spotify's HLS upgrades come alongside new monetization opportunities for creators, including direct sales and enhanced partner integrations. Creators utilizing hosting services like Libsyn, Podigee, Audioboom, Audiomeans, and Podspace can now publish their video podcasts directly on Spotify and generate revenue through the Spotify Partner Program, which is already operational following an earlier announcement this year.
As the popularity of video content continues to surge within the podcasting realm, Spotify's advancements empower creators to engage a growing audience that favors visual storytelling, further solidifying its role in the dynamic podcast landscape. The platform has significantly invested in video since launching video podcasts in 2020 and has recently made strides to lower the monetization barriers for creators. By November 2025, Spotify had amassed nearly half a million video podcasts, with over 390 million users engaging with this content.
