Spotify announced on May 14 that it will adopt Apple's HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) video technology to enhance video podcast distribution and monetization across platforms, including Apple Podcasts [1]. HLS enables features like dynamic video quality adjustment based on network speed, seamless playback with minimal buffering, toggling between video and audio-only streams, offline downloads, and dynamic ad insertion [1, 2].
Apple introduced HLS support to its Apple Podcasts app in February 2026 with the iOS 26.4 update, enabling interoperability between platforms [2]. Nearly half a million shows and more than 390 million users streamed video podcasts on Spotify as of November 2025, showing strong existing demand for video content on the platform [1].
Spotify is rolling out the HLS-based upgrades later in 2026 but has not provided a specific timeline for when Spotify for Creators and the Megaphone podcast platform will implement the technology [1, 2]. Creators using hosting providers such as Libsyn, Podigee, Audioboom, Audiomeans, and Podspace can already publish video podcasts directly to Spotify and monetize through Spotify's Partner Program [1, 2].
However, some industry watchers note that because HLS is proprietary technology developed by Apple, its wider adoption may centralize streaming power, despite offering convenience by standardizing protocols across major platforms [2].
Spotify has lowered video monetization requirements earlier this year to encourage growth in video podcasts [1]. The new HLS integration represents the next step as Spotify aims to expand its video podcast reach and improve cross-platform user experience.
The company plans to complete the HLS rollout across its products during 2026 but has yet to announce exact dates for full implementation on Creator tools and Megaphone.
