Spotify has announced that its podcasting platforms, Spotify for Creators and Megaphone, will begin supporting Apple’s HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) technology for video podcasts. The move aligns Spotify with a growing number of major technology companies using the streaming standard developed by Apple.
Apple recently introduced HLS support for video podcasts inside Apple Podcasts through iOS 26.4. By adopting the same technology, Spotify will allow video podcasts hosted on its platforms to become more compatible across additional podcast ecosystems, including Apple’s own app.
HLS was originally designed to improve video streaming performance across devices like the iPhone and iPad. The technology enables smoother playback, adaptive video quality, offline downloads, and the ability for listeners to switch seamlessly between audio-only and video formats. It also supports dynamic ad insertion, an important monetization feature for creators and podcast networks.
While some industry observers remain cautious because HLS is proprietary technology rather than an open protocol like RSS, many view Spotify’s adoption as a positive step toward greater standardization in video podcasting. As the format continues growing rapidly, shared infrastructure could simplify distribution, improve user experience, and help creators reach broader audiences across multiple platforms.