Apple to Launch New Video Podcast Experience to Compete with YouTube and Spotify
Apple is gearing up to take on YouTube and Spotify with the launch of a new video podcast experience set to debut in the spring. This move will allow users to seamlessly switch between watching and listening to shows within the Apple Podcasts app. The company will be leveraging its HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) video technology to deliver this enhanced experience. Users will also have the option to switch to a horizontal view of the podcast and download videos for offline viewing.
Rising Popularity of Video Podcasting
The decision to introduce video podcasting comes at a time when the format is gaining increasing popularity. According to a recent study by Edison Research, over half of the U.S. population has consumed a video podcast, with 37% tuning in on a monthly basis.
With the rise in video podcast consumption, Apple is strategically positioning itself to compete with major players like YouTube, Spotify, and even Netflix, all of which have already embraced video podcasting. YouTube boasts over 1 billion monthly active viewers of podcast content, while Spotify has half a million video podcasts that have been watched by nearly 400 million users. Netflix has also entered the video podcasting arena through partnerships with iHeartMedia and Spotify.
Apple’s Competitive Edge
By introducing an enhanced video podcast viewing experience, Apple aims to retain users on its platform and prevent them from migrating to rival services for their favorite shows. Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Services, expressed the company’s commitment to empowering creators and providing audiences with a seamless podcasting experience.
While the official launch of the new video podcast experience is slated for the spring, users can get a sneak peek by testing the feature in the betas for iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and visionOS 26.4.
