Podcast Wars Intensify as Apple Layers ‘Advanced Video Podcast Capabilities’ Into iOS 26.4

Photo Credit: Apple

Apple overhauls its Podcasts app to bring “advanced video podcast capabilities,” enabling users to seamlessly switch between viewing and listening.

As Apple continues to compete with Spotify and YouTube for podcast audiences, the company is upgrading its Podcasts app to cash in on an “enhanced video podcast experience.” The functionality enables users to seamlessly switch between viewing a podcast and listening to its audio.

Video podcasts, particularly with the ability to switch between video and audio, have become increasingly popular. Apple already supports video podcasts, but the upgrade—coming in iOS 25.4—is built on the company’s HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) technology. This tech allows Apple to offer video playback without compromising the audio experience. Users can also download video podcasts for playback offline.

Through its HLS system, Apple says the new video podcast experience empowers creators who distribute through participating hosting providers and ad networks, maintaining complete control of their content and monetization. Among those supporting HLS at launch are Acast, ART19 (an Amazon company), Triton’s Omny Studio, and SiriusXM (including SiriusXM Media, AdsWizz, and Simplecast), with additional providers joining in the future.

“Video is the next chapter for podcasting. Simplifying audio distribution and empowering creators with flexible monetization solutions are what ART19 was built on, and now video deserves that same experience,” said Geoff Mattei, ART19 CEO. “Working with Apple Podcasts to bring video distribution to publishers is a significant moment for creators who’ve been waiting for this.”

Notably, Apple doesn’t charge for podcast distribution through its Podcasts app. But the company does say it will charge ad networks a fee for dynamic ads in HLS video podcast episodes under this new system.

“Twenty years ago, Apple helped take podcasting mainstream by adding podcasts to iTunes, and more than a decade ago, we introduced the dedicated Apple Podcasts app,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services. “Today marks a defining milestone in that journey. By bringing a category-leading video experience to Apple Podcasts, we’re putting creators in full control of their content and how they build their businesses, while making it easier than ever for audiences to listen to or watch podcasts.”

The upgraded video podcast functionality will be available on iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision Pro, and the web.