Will Apple's HLS Video Podcasting Push Decimate Audio First Podcasters, Editors and Listeners
Episode 97 - Will Apple's HLS Video Podcasting Push Decimate Audio First Podcasters, Editors and Listeners
Hey welcome to the show - thanks for being here! This episode is a feed drop from my one of my other podcasts - The How To Podcast Series. Apple's recent re-announcement of video podcasts on their platform has implications for podcast editors and support teams. Understanding the why behind Apple's move into video and how it is distributed to listeners/viewers is important for ust to understand. To serve our clients well, we need to be eductated on what is happening in the world of podcasting! To increase your knowledge, and serve your clients better - be in the know by following PodNews. https://podnews.net/
Feed Drop - How To Podcast Series - Episode 649
Will Apple Video Podcasting Decimate Audio First Podcasters, Editors and Listeners
In this episode of the How To Podcast Series, host Dave explores Apple's renewed push into video podcasting via HLS, questioning if it will overshadow audio-first creators like himself. Drawing from a recent New Media Show discussion between Rob Greenlee and Justin Jackson of Transistor.fm, Dave highlights the tension: listeners crave seamless switching between audio on the go and video at home, syncing progress across devices like phones, cars, and TVs. This shift pressures separate audio and video edits—long a staple for shows like New Media Show—to converge, as platforms like Apple, Spotify, and YouTube prioritize fluid experiences over distinct versions.
Dave, an audio-first podcaster managing nine shows while holding a job, shares his Android-user bias and reluctance to invest heavily in video production. He argues not every podcast suits video, citing Buzzsprout's Jordan Blair and her sleep aid show Dreamfall, where visuals would counterproductive. Yet he embraces minimal video: short phone clips repurposed for YouTube Shorts, TikTok, and Instagram to promote episodes without replacing the core audio experience. Clips from Rob and Justin underscore industry growing pains—editors may need simpler, video-friendly cuts, but creators will adapt with creative visuals that engage background listeners.
Apple's model enhances control for creators via RSS metadata, offline video downloads, and better ad tracking through chunked HLS files, benefiting larger shows with sponsors demanding proof of plays. Audio-first remains viable, especially for newcomers lacking video resources, but the market favors hybrid formats that work across listening and viewing. Video podcasters must narrate visuals clearly, avoiding Joe Rogan's uncontextual clips that alienate audio fans.
Key Takeaway: Do what you can with what you have where you are—audio-first is here to stay, but blending simple visuals grows your reach without burnout. Adapt to listener habits, stay true to your voice, and podcasting's room for all will expand.
New Media Show with Rob Greenlee and Justin Jackson
https://www.youtube.com/live/fF5ybfLA7r0?t=3979&si=OTfH4763QLPk-88L
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