Spotify is making a big move toward video podcast interoperability, and Apple fans stand to benefit from it. The streaming service said Thursday that it will adopt Apple’s HTTP Live Streaming, or HLS, technology.
Apple rolled out HLS earlier this year to modernize video playback on Apple Podcasts, promising a seamless experience for both viewers and podcast creators. Spotify’s adoption of HLS later this year sounds like a win-win for video podcasts.
Spotify adopts Apple’s HLS tech for video podcasts
For years, Spotify built its podcast empire by striving to succeed as a closed, all-in-one alternative to Apple’s more open podcast ecosystem. Spotify locked down exclusives with podcasters like Joe Rogan, built proprietary tools, and did everything it could to pull creators deeper into its platform.
Now, Spotify’s decision to adopt Apple’s HLS technology marks a notable reversal in tone. As video podcasts explode in popularity, and creators demand smoother delivery across all sorts of devices, adoption of standards like HLS should make everyone happy.
For creators who publish video podcasts on both Spotify and Apple Podcasts, Spotify’s adoption of the HLS video standard streamlines their workflow. It should help podcasters reach a wider audience without changing their existing setups.
Apple’s HTTP-based streaming protocol supports adaptive bitrate. That allows it to automatically adjust the streaming quality to match the user’s network speed.
Apple introduced HTTP Live Streaming in 2009, and made it necessary to stream content on iOS, Apple TV and in apps featuring videos over 5MB or longer than 10 minutes. The company added HLS support for podcasts earlier this year for the iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision Pro and the web. HLS support for Apple TV and Mac could arrive later this year with iOS 27.
A big win for ‘platform-agnostic video distribution’
Spotify called its adoption of HLS a “major step toward truly platform-agnostic video distribution” in a press release announcing the move. The streaming service also will support monetization for video content on both platforms, so creators no longer need to choose between audience reach and revenue, Spotify said.
Apple Podcasts relies on the open RSS standard. But Spotify requires creators to directly upload content to its platform. Doing so lets Spotify offer tools like monetization based on user engagement, real-time performance analysis and more.
Spotify’s support of HLS could allow Spotify-hosted video to reach Apple Podcasts listeners without creators needing to maintain two separate pipelines.
Spotify said it is “actively working on this integration in coordination with Apple and will share timeline details soon.” For once, Apple and Spotify moving in the same direction might actually benefit both creators and listeners.
Anurag Chawake is a tech-focused writer specializing in smartphones, apps and consumer technology. His interest in computers began during the Windows 98 era, eventually leading him to explore everything from operating systems to mobile devices and PC hardware. Anurag previously contributed to The Indian Express, covering Apple, Android, gaming and the broader technology landscape.
