Apple is overhauling Apple Podcasts to include video, letting users watch and listen to episodes with picture-in-picture playback and offline downloads.
Launching this spring with iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and visionOS 26.4, the update uses HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) to support adaptive video and dynamic ads, including host-read spots. Apple partners with hosts like Acast, ART19, Omny Studio, Simplecast, and AdsWizz to simplify video distribution across devices.
With rising demand, 37% of U.S. adults watch video podcasts, Apple aims to keep creators and audiences on its platform while competing with YouTube, Spotify, and Netflix.