Apple’s Podcast glow-up brings video, ads, and offline viewing

If you’ve ever felt the need to open two versions of the same podcast, one with the audio and the other with audio plus video, Apple has something for you. The company has unveiled an Apple Podcasts overhaul that brings native video streaming support to the app.

The native video support in Apple Podcasts is available as part of iOS 26.4 developer beta (for now). It aims to offer a seamless video podcast experience, similar to what platforms like YouTube and Spotify provide, rather than the current RSS feed-based mechanism.

A proper video experience for viewers

The underlying upgrade is support for HTTP Live Streaming (HLS), something that already works very well on Apple TV. It lets you switch between listening and watching experiences, with an inline or expanded video window and automatic adjustments to video quality (depending on connectivity).

As and when the feature moves out of beta, you’ll be able to watch video podcasts on the entire screen (including horizontal orientation), and even download video episodes for offline viewing, making the app much more useful for subway or airplane rides.

While these additions will benefit listeners, Apple Podcasts has also announced updates related to creator distribution and monetization.

At launch, several distributors, including Acast, ART19, Omny Studio, and SiriusXM (including SiriusXM Media, AdsWizz, and Simplecast), support HLS video.

A monetization boost for creators

Further, the platform will allow creators to insert advertisements dynamically, including host-read placements for the first time, giving creators new monetization avenues.

While Apple doesn’t charge creators for distribution via Podcasts, ad networks will pay impression-based fees later this year.

Even though the new Podcasts experience remains in beta, it is due for a launch this spring, arriving with iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and visionOS 26.4.

The update marks a shift from purely audio podcasts toward audio/video streaming. Integrating video streaming into Podcasts will help Apple place the app better against other giants.