How Does Apple Podcast’s New HLS Video Feature Impact Your Podcasting Strategy?

Check Out Podcasting Strategy Simplified On Your Favorite Platform

The Breaking News From Apple

On February 16th, 2026, Apple announced they’ll be jumping into the pool with Spotify and YouTube and bringing users video capabilities via Apple Podcasts.

But…this isn’t your father’s video delivery mechanism.

Apple has big plans to revolutionize the way we consume media. Most notably, implementing HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) technology that will allow you to switch from audio to video (and vice versa) seamlessly.

Simply stated: you’ll have the ability to start a podcast in one format, then switch to the other and pick up right where you left off.

This announcement, of course, sent the podcast world into a frenzy. The changes, the advancements, the potential, the opportunities…

Yes, it’s opened up a lot of conversations about the subject over the past 1.5 weeks and shines an even brighter spotlight on the polarizing conversation around video podcasting. And just like always, some have embraced what’s to come…while others continue to resist.

As of this date, I do not consider myself qualified to dig deep into the technology that Apple will roll out. So I’ll spare you a bunch of information you’d inevitably have to fact check and, instead, focus my attention back to podcasting strategy where it belongs.

Do I think Apple’s new technology offers game-changing consumption options for users? Absolutely.

Do I think small, independent podcasters and those leveraging the podcast medium to grow their brand have a shot at being players in the game? Absolutely not.

That’s my humble opinion (arrived at via my own conversations around this subject), and attempting to stretch beyond that would be nothing more than speculation.

Instead, I invite you to consume Episode 76 of Podcasting Strategy Simplified in audio or video format (both found above). In addition, check out the duration of this blog to learn more about where I feel your attention needs to lay as new technology continues to enter the chat.

Then, if you’d like to learn more about what Apple is up to, here are some great resources to get you started:

What Drives Podcast Growth

New podcasting technology evolves at a rapid pace. Almost every day, we see new tools and upgrades to existing platforms that deliver a whole new user experience…and are marketed in a way that makes us feel like we need to sh*t or get off the pot. With so many options bombarding our emails, DMs, and news feeds, it’s easy to feel like you need to adapt immediately or risk falling behind.

But technology has never been the deciding factor in podcast success.

It plays a role, but it doesn’t tell the whole story.

If you’re a business leader using podcasting to build authority, generate leads, or strengthen brand positioning, your results depend on strategic clarity and consistent execution. You can’t control the inevitable changes delivery systems will implement. Nor can you control how the expectations of your audience may shift. But through it all, what remains constant is the need for focused, valuable content that aligns with your business objectives.

Podcast growth is driven by strategic alignment, audience clarity, and structured content planning. Emerging technologies, including seamless audio and video switching like Apple plans to launch, enhance accessibility…but do not replace the need for a defined message and intentional content development.

Brands that generate measurable ROI from podcasting build infrastructure before scaling visibility. They define goals, clarify audience needs, establish message pillars, and create a repeatable distribution and repurposing process. Without this foundation, new features and platforms add complexity without improving outcomes.

Remember: Technology enhances reach, but strategy determines impact.

The Delivery Landscape Is Expanding

Podcast platforms continue to integrate video functionality and experiment with new consumption models, seemingly on a daily basis. Social media channels increasingly serve as discovery engines, while video-first platforms expose audiences to long-form conversations before they ever subscribe to an audio feed.

As we’ve learned, Apple is introducing content delivery that allows listeners to switch between video and audio without interruption and, you have to assume, it’ll push other platforms like YouTube and Spotify to counterpunch.

From a user experience standpoint, that flexibility makes sense. It removes friction and adapts to how people move through their day.

What it does not do is improve unclear messaging or unfocused episodes.

If your podcast lacks structure, switching formats will not increase retention. If your conversations drift without purpose, better delivery systems will not improve authority. While technology plays a key role in optimizing access, it can’t do anything to create the value you deliver to your audience.

Before adjusting your workflow, evaluate whether the change supports your larger business strategy. If it does not directly strengthen visibility, engagement, or conversion pathways, it likely deserves less attention than you think.

Strategy Is the Leverage Point

A podcast that supports your business must operate as a strategic asset rather than an outlet lacking direction. That requires clarity in several key areas:

Your primary business objective
The audience segment you are targeting
The problems you help solve
The themes that reinforce your expertise
The action you want listeners to take

For example, if your goal is lead generation, each episode should reinforce your authority while naturally guiding listeners toward deeper engagement through your website, email list, or consultation process. That requires intentional topic selection and clear, singular calls to action.

If your goal is thought leadership, your episodes should address industry-specific challenges with depth and precision. That means preparing structured outlines, conducting research, and facilitating conversations that surface wisdom and insight over casual banter.

When you treat podcasting as a marketing channel instead of a hobby, your planning process changes. Episodes become components of a larger ecosystem that supports SEO, social content, email marketing, and brand positioning.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: 11 Lessons I’ve Learned In 11 Years of Podcasting

Video Is an Expansion Tool

Video has become a meaningful discovery channel for podcasts and YouTube is currently leading the charge. Many listeners first encounter a show through short-form clips or full-length video episodes before transitioning to audio platforms for convenience.

If you’re looking to bring video into your production, the good news is incorporating it doesn’t require a studio overhaul. Platforms like Streamyard allow you to capture audio and video at the same time while saving files locally. Once recording concludes, you’ll have audio (mp3) and video (mp4) files to edit, produce, publish, and market throughout your digital footprint.

Recording audio and video simultaneously allows you to expand distribution without doubling production effort. From a single session, you can generate full-length video, short-from clips for social media, assets for your website, email campaigns, paid ads, and more.

This approach transforms your podcast into a scalable content engine. It also strengthens SEO when episodes are transcribed and repurposed into keyword-optimized blog posts that support organic search visibility.

Focus on What You Control

As I’ve said throughout this blog (as well as in Episode 76 of the show), technology will continue to evolve no matter what. Platforms will test features. Some will gain traction while others will fade away. Nature of the beast.

Your responsibility remains constant: create structured, valuable conversations that align with your audience’s needs and your business objectives.

That requires preparation before recording, intentional questioning during interviews, and thoughtful editing afterward. It requires reviewing performance data and identifying which topics resonate most with your audience. It requires building a documented system for repurposing content so every episode extends beyond its original release.

When you establish a sound strategy and well-oiled infrastructure, new technology becomes an enhancement to your dialed-in efforts, rather than a distraction that lures you towards “shiny object chasing.” You evaluate opportunities through a strategic lens instead of reacting to every update that hits your radar.

If your messaging is clear, consistent, and aligned with your business goals, technological advances will amplify what already works. If your podcast lacks direction, no feature will fix it.

It’s that simple.

The brands that see long-term results from podcasting are not chasing innovation for its own sake. They are refining their message, strengthening their own systems and workflows, and delivering content that serves a defined purpose.

As I always say: Start with strategy, build with clarity.

Then, let technology do its thing.