I know right. Since you could do video podcasts in the late 2000s with a video iPod or iPhone, and generally most features from iTunes still exist, I have assumed all along that video podcasts were still a supported thing.
They only do it because they want a piece of the pie. It’s all about ******tification and monetization for Apple these days. In the Apple Newsroom article, it says:
Thank you for explaining this. Because I too remember video podcasts in iTunes and on my iPod from well over a decade ago.
Indeed, and by design. Video captures people’s attention more than audio thanks to TikTok and the like. Much of the internet is moving towards video content. Nobody reads anymore and a lot of people aren’t content to listen. The internet is just TV now.
I like to listen to comedian podcasts like Working it Out, We Might Be Drunk, Breaking Bread, etc., while I'm out walking or doing chores, but I also like to watch them when I'm able.
News Flash, for profit company in business to make a profit. While they created the iPod and iTunes because of the joy of music (and not to get a piece of the music player/downloads/streaming pie) and created the iPhone to connect people to each other (not to get a piece of the smart phone pie and the digital purchases pie) and created Apple Pay to improve the payment process (not to get a piece of the online and offline purchases pie), this is absolutely the FIRST thing that they’ve created because they want a piece of the pie.
According to Netflix, they’re not even watching the video, so they’re asking content producers to continuously reiterate plot points.
Can’t say I’m surprised but I am curious how they her this info. Several people I know are on their phones through the majority of anything they watch.
Well, you also cannot search for episodes within a podcast. You have to go to the main search and type in the podcast name in addition to the episode keywords you want to search for.
I am super-disappointed with the Podcasts App. I had loads of Podcasts, and even now I want to save talks in one place - NOT with my Music. Now, can neither save talks separately in Music - Apple has removed that Option!! - nor can I save them in Podcasts - which is only for Apple streaming. I did read that if I delete the Podcast app, my previous talks will reappear. Well, how ineffectual is that !! Not happy Apple !!!
With iOS 26.4, Apple is adding video podcast capabilities to the Apple Podcasts app. The feature uses HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) to provide podcast creators with "unprecedented control and monetization opportunities" while also providing a high-quality viewing experience.
The iOS 26.4 Podcasts app will let users switch between watching and listening to shows, with videos able to be downloaded for offline viewing. HLS ensures smooth playback regardless of network connection, so videos will work on Wi-Fi or cellular. Apple says that the video episodes will integrate with existing Apple Podcasts features, including personalized recommendations and editorial suggestions in the New and Category sections.
Creators are able to distribute through participating hosting providers and ad networks, with Acast, ART19, Omny Studio, and SiriusXM brands supporting HLS video at launch. Creators will be able to dynamically insert video ads for broader video advertising opportunities.
The Podcasts app previously supported video podcasts via RSS, but the iOS 26.4 feature is a streamlined, native option for creating and monetizing video podcasts.
Podcasters can find more information on the new video feature through Apple's podcasts website. HLS video is available for testing today in the beta versions of iOS 26.4, iPadOS 26.4, and visionOS 26.4. iOS 26.4 will be released in the spring.
Article Link: Apple Podcasts Getting Video Episodes in iOS 26.4
