CUPERTINO, California, January 22, 2026 — Apple is preparing to enable video playback and live streaming in Apple Podcasts through support for HLS (HTTP Live Streaming), allowing creators to deliver video episodes and real-time broadcasts directly within the app.
The feature, currently in testing with select creators, will let podcasts include full video content alongside audio tracks. Listeners will be able to watch video episodes on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV, with seamless switching between video and audio-only modes. Live streaming support will enable real-time video broadcasts, similar to live audio shows already available in the app.
Apple Podcasts already supports video podcasts in limited form through external links or embedded players, but the new implementation will bring native playback with adaptive bitrate streaming via HLS. This ensures smooth quality adjustments based on network conditions and device capabilities.
The update aligns with Apple’s broader push into video content, following the addition of video podcasts in 2024 and recent enhancements to Apple TV+. Creators will be able to upload video files through Apple Podcasts Connect, with automatic transcoding and distribution.
Apple has not announced an exact release date, but sources indicate the feature will arrive in an upcoming iOS, iPadOS, and macOS update, likely in early 2026. The company is also expected to introduce new creator tools for video production, including editing, captions, and chapter markers.
The change positions Apple Podcasts as a more comprehensive media platform, competing with YouTube, Spotify, and emerging video podcast networks. Spotify has offered video podcasts since 2022, while YouTube remains dominant for video-first content.
Apple Podcasts has more than 500,000 shows and reaches over 100 million monthly listeners. Adding native video and live streaming could increase engagement and attract creators seeking alternatives to ad-heavy platforms.
