Spotify adopts Apple’s HLS to enable video podcasts and improve cross‑platform playback

Spotify said on May 16 it will adopt Apple’s HTTP Live Streaming, or HLS, technology for video podcasts, aligning its creator tools with the format Apple introduced for Apple Podcasts in February. The change is aimed at letting creators publish video shows more easily across Spotify and Apple Podcasts without rebuilding separate workflows, according to reports from RouteNote, TechCrunch and other outlets. Apple said in its February announcement that HLS video on Apple Podcasts allows users to switch between watching and listening, use horizontal full-screen playback and download videos for offline viewing. Spotify has not published a standalone newsroom post on the move that was readily available on Saturday, but company statements carried by multiple reports said support is coming later this year. ### What exactly is Spotify adopting from Apple? Apple said on February 16 that Apple Podcasts would enable HLS video podcasts, using its HTTP Live Streaming technology to improve playback and give creators more control over monetization and delivery. Apple described HLS as the basis for adaptive streaming that adjusts quality across network conditions and supports features such as seamless switching between audio and video. (routenote.com) Spotify’s move means its creator-facing platforms will support that same delivery method for video podcasts. Reports citing Spotify said the rollout will cover Spotify for Creators and Megaphone, two of the company’s main podcast publishing tools. ### Why does that matter for podcasters who already publish video? Apple says HLS video is now the preferred way to distribute video on Apple Podcasts, though standard RSS-based video podcasts remain available through many hosting providers. (apple.com) Apple’s creator documentation says a podcaster using HLS can keep a single integrated show page where fans can move between audio and video, while still controlling metadata in the main RSS feed. (barrettmedia.com) For Spotify creators, the practical change is that a video show built for Spotify’s ecosystem should become easier to distribute to Apple Podcasts as well. TechCrunch reported that creators will be able to distribute and monetize video podcasts on Apple Podcasts using Apple’s HLS streaming technology without changing existing workflows. (podcasters.apple.com) ### Which Spotify products and creators are included? Spotify said in January that it was expanding the Spotify Partner Program and adding ways for creators to publish and monetize video on Spotify even if they are hosted on another platform. The company said eligible creators in the program can earn from Premium video engagement in select markets and ad monetization on Spotify Free and other listening platforms. (techcrunch.com) Spotify’s support pages say shows hosted with Spotify for Creators are automatically published on Spotify, while creators using outside hosts can submit their shows through partner-specific workflows. Spotify also says its platform reaches more than 600 million listeners across more than 180 countries and regions. ### How does Apple handle video distribution and monetization? (newsroom.spotify.com) Apple’s creator site says video on Apple Podcasts is delivered through participating hosting providers, not uploaded directly by most creators into Apple’s own system. Apple also says creators can generate an API key in Apple Podcasts Connect that allows a hosting provider to publish shows and episodes on their behalf, without access to analytics, subscription reporting or banking information. (support.spotify.com) Apple said at launch that Acast, ART19, Omny Studio and SiriusXM properties including AdsWizz and Simplecast were supporting HLS video, with more providers to follow. Apple also said creators can dynamically insert video ads, including host-read spots, through hosting partners. ### Is Spotify opening the door to Apple Podcasts video this year? (podcasters.apple.com) Reports published on May 14 and May 15 said yes, but Spotify has not yet posted a public timetable with exact launch dates. Statements carried by TechCrunch, Yahoo and Barrett Media said HLS video technology from Apple Podcasts will be supported later this year across Spotify for Creators and Megaphone, and that Spotify is working with Apple on the integration. (apple.com) Apple’s own documentation says HLS availability is expanding on a rolling basis and tells creators to check its hosting-provider list for updates. That means the next concrete step for creators is likely to come through host dashboards and Apple Podcasts Connect, where Apple says video delivery access appears at the show-settings level when available. (podcasters.apple.com) (techcrunch.com)