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Whatever the purists say, video podcasting is here to stay. The definition of a podcast is changing, and for a lot of fans just getting into the space video is central to what podcasting is.

Listeners are increasingly consuming shows on phones, tablets and TVs, where buffering and playback quality really matter. Apple Podcasts Video and HLS technology are Apple’s answer to the questions those needs can pose.

What actually is HLS?

HLS stands for HTTP Live Streaming. It’s a video delivery method originally developed by Apple and today it’s one of the most widely used ways to stream video online. It’s not a new thing (it’s actually been around since 2009) but it’s now being rolled out to support Apple Video Podcasts, which is why everyone’s talking about it right now.

Instead of delivering one giant video file, HLS breaks a video into lots of small segments. Think of it like slicing a long episode into loads of tiny chunks.

When someone presses play:

• Their device requests the first few chunks
• The player downloads more chunks as needed
• Playback continues smoothly in the background

This means:

The video starts playing faster because the player doesn’t need the entire file before it begins.

The video quality can adapt in real time. If someone’s internet connection drops, the player can automatically switch to a lower bitrate version of the same segment. If their connection improves, it can switch back to a higher quality stream, all with no listener impact.

Why is HLS good for podcasting?

If you’ve ever uploaded a large MP4 somewhere and tried to play it immediately, you probably already know why it’s not the best video streaming solution. Large files create a couple of issues:

1. Slow start times. The player has to process a lot of data before it can start playback.
2. Buffering interruptions. If someone’s internet connection dips for even a moment, the player might stall.
3. Static bitrate. A single MP4 usually means one bitrate. That might be too heavy for mobile connections or unnecessarily low for fast ones, and it can’t adapt to connectivity changes.

HLS solves these problems by chunking the video into small pieces and making decisions at a micro scale, reacting to the changing conditions the listener may be in and adapting the delivery.

What does Apple Video Podcasts mean for me?

Previously, Apple ran separate RSS feeds for audio and video podcasts. This meant if you were uploading in both formats, your download numbers were split. What’s more, your listeners had to search for a different podcast depending on whether they want to watch your content or just listen.

Apple Video Podcasts brings everyone back together. Listeners and viewers alike access the same episode in the same location within the Apple Podcasts app, with the ability to swap seamlessly between the audio and video versions of the file without losing their progress.

Along with a better video streaming experience for the listener, less buffering and faster streaming times, Apple Video Podcasts overhauls the in-app experience for everyone.

How do I use Apple Podcasts Video?

The first thing you need to do is connect Apple Podcasts Connect with Captivate via an API key.

Once you’ve done that, video publishing is just part of your normal podcasting workflow in Captivate. You’ll be able to upload a video when you’re creating or editing an episode, just as you would an audio file.

You can read our full help article here!

We’ve got it covered.

We’re a day-one launch partner for Apple Podcasts’ Video release, so you’re all set if you want to start video podcasting right away.

Read our full launch post here and be sure to check out our help articles breaking down exactly how to set your podcast up for HLS video now!

Next steps

Read about Captivate’s other huge features, like our in-house monetization tools and our unmatched dynamic ad insertion technology!