Spotify Introduces Support for Video Podcasts

[MacRumors]

Spotify today announced a new video podcast feature for select podcasts, available in all markets where podcasts are supported. With the update, Spotify Premium and free users will be able to watch podcasts that have recorded video on the platform.

Spotify said that at launch, podcasts with video include "Book of Basketball 2.0," "Fantasy Footballers," "The Misfits Podcast," "H3 Podcast," "The Morning Toast," "Higher Learning with Van Lathan & Rachel Lindsay," and "The Rooster Teeth Podcast." More podcasts will gain support as the feature rolls out.

The new feature allows select creators to bring both audio and video content to Spotify, enabling them to connect more meaningfully with their listeners, expand viewership, and deepen audience engagement. It’s a way to enrich the audio experience—for fans and creators alike.

To start watching a video podcast, users simply need to press play on the Spotify desktop or mobile app. Any supported podcast will automatically play and sync with the audio feed. Listeners will also still be able to download the podcast audio to listen on the go, and video podcast audio will still play when multitasking between apps or when locking your device.

In recent years, Spotify and Apple have been competing to build the most popular podcasting platform. According to a recent report from Bloomberg, Apple is now working on creating its own original podcasts to further entice people to use Apple Podcasts.

The new video podcasts on Spotify will begin rolling out today.

Article Link: Spotify Introduces Support for Video Podcasts

 

[Heelpir8]

This should please the Joe Rogan fans for when he becomes a Spotify exclusive.

 

[madmin]

But isn't video podcast an oxymoron ?

 

[FSMBP]

So YouTube competitor? If so, that is good.

 

[Art Mark]

i think Apple really missed the boat with the podcast platform. They are spending billions on tv shows and sort of missed the homegrown platform right in front of them. I'm sure someone there was fighting the fight but must have been sidelinded.

 

[ChrisMoBro]

APPLE WATCH OFFLINE PLAYBACK, NOW

 

[julesme]

Whoa - Could this become the stealth YouTube competitor we've all been waiting for?
I mean, it sure as hell won't be Vimeo!

 

[Marbles1]

i think Apple really missed the boat with the podcast platform. They are spending billions on tv shows and sort of missed the homegrown platform right in front of them. I'm sure someone there was fighting the fight but must have been sidelinded.

And you’d have thought Apple would want to be front and centre the platform to share creativity from those who use macs etc etc.

Instead they’re commissioning romcoms.

Apple have deliberately distanced themselves from podcasts for over a decade.

 

[mattopotamus]

huge for PIP on IOS14

 

[ChrisMoBro]

Whoa - Could this become the stealth YouTube competitor we've all been waiting for?
I mean, it sure as hell won't be Vimeo!

That’s like comparing a Ferrari with a tractor. One is more flashy but they both serve completely different purposes.

 

[kyleh22]

Who didn't see this coming with spotify's recent Joe Rogan exclusive deal?

 

[mnsportsgeek]

Support for video podcasts? I've been using them for over a decade between iTunes and Apple Podcasts. Welcome to 2007, Spotify.

 

[Techwatcher]

TIDAL been had this.

 

[nocture]

Spotify turning into iTunes abomination, great

 

[cgs1xx]

But still no music videos bizarrely...

 

[LizKat]

I so don't get the whole podcast thing for most info-dissemination genres. It takes so much longer to absorb info from a video or audio podcast than to just read a transcript or an original piece of writing.

OK I do get the appeal of a video take for something like "how to..." -- how to fix a piece of gear or use some sewing machine attachment or get a piece of fine carpentry to hang together beautifully.

I mean everyone has probably struggled at least once with textual info that reads like "after you remove the gizmo from the thing to the left of it (and don't forget to put the screws to one side since they are not the same as the ones you took out of the other thing), you just flip up the cable and pull out that little plate from underneath it, no problem, and then you can reach the tray that holds the drive assembly." Half an hour of deciphering that and you yourself could probably then make a tragic video of how well your understanding of that piece of text has worked out.​

But for regular old basic "infotainment" applications - news, politics, and that infernal and ever burgeoning wannabe "influencer" genre, seems like a waste of time to watch someone say for 20 minutes what we just could read in a tenth of the time (if the podcaster could only write?).

 

[Jason2000]

This is nice and all for those that want it but I sure wish Spotify would work on offering offline playback of music via the Apple Watch.
[automerge]1595349648[/automerge]

I so don't get the whole podcast thing for most info-dissemination genres It takes so much longer to absorb info from a video or audio podcast than to just read a transcript or an original piece of writing.

OK I do get the appeal of a video take on for something like "how to..." -- how to fix a piece of gear or use some sewing machine attachment or get a piece of fine carpentry to hang together beautifully.

I mean everyone has probably struggled at least once with textual info that reads like "after you remove the gizmo from the thing to the left of it (and don't forget to put the screws to one side since they are not the same as the ones you took out of the other thing), you just flip up the cable and pull out that little plate from underneath it, no problem, and then you can reach the tray that holds the drive assembly." Half an hour of deciphering that and you yourself could probably then make a tragic video of how well your understanding of that piece of text has worked out.​

But for regular old basic "infotainment" applications - news, politics, and that infernal and ever burgeoning wannabe "influencer" genre, seems like a waste of time to watch someone say for 20 minutes what we just could read in a tenth of the time (if the podcaster could only write?).

I do not get podcast either. Too much idle chitchat for my liking. At least on the ones I have tried listening to.

 

[Rudy69]

APPLE WATCH OFFLINE PLAYBACK, NOW

So i just got an Apple Watch yesterday... just figured out I can’t listen to Spotify when I go for a run without my phone. WTF. I’m starting an Apple Music trial today and we’ll see how it goes. I have a Spotify family account and some users are using it to play music on a google home which I think Apple Music can’t do directly :/

 

[iBluetooth]

So YouTube competitor? If so, that is good.

I wish we would get Spotify to challenge Youtube, as it's getting bombarded with commercials and since Google bought it there have been no real improvements or big added features. YouTube feels more and more as a Microsoft product.

 

[ChrisMoBro]

So i just got an Apple Watch yesterday... just figured out I can’t listen to Spotify when I go for a run without my phone. WTF. I’m starting an Apple Music trial today and we’ll see how it goes. I have a Spotify family account and some users are using it to play music on a google home which I think Apple Music can’t do directly :/

I had Apple Music and it’s integration with iOS and WatchOS is perfect... it just was so repetitive and it’s recommendations were pretty shoddy. Spotify just needs to add this feature and it would be the perfect music streaming service. Until then, I have to listen to old music from when I bought songs off iTunes.

 

[Agit21]

So i just got an Apple Watch yesterday... just figured out I can’t listen to Spotify when I go for a run without my phone. WTF. I’m starting an Apple Music trial today and we’ll see how it goes. I have a Spotify family account and some users are using it to play music on a google home which I think Apple Music can’t do directly :/

Sell your Apple Watch. If you really want a great watch for sport and offline Spotify buy a Garmin. Plus the battery life 3-4 x better.

 

[edgonzalez32]

This should please the Joe Rogan fans for when he becomes a Spotify exclusive.

I was going to say, I feel like this is a direct response to that. All good things imo honestly. sometimes i like just chilling and watching discussions.

 

[repoman016]

This should please the Joe Rogan fans for when he becomes a Spotify exclusive.

Funny you say that, it was the first thing I thought of when I heard his announcement. I listen to 95% of the podcast more than watch, but it is nice to be able to pop my head up and change the tab to see what jamie just pulled up.

 

[Akrapovic]

I so don't get the whole podcast thing for most info-dissemination genres. It takes so much longer to absorb info from a video or audio podcast than to just read a transcript or an original piece of writing.

OK I do get the appeal of a video take for something like "how to..." -- how to fix a piece of gear or use some sewing machine attachment or get a piece of fine carpentry to hang together beautifully.

I mean everyone has probably struggled at least once with textual info that reads like "after you remove the gizmo from the thing to the left of it (and don't forget to put the screws to one side since they are not the same as the ones you took out of the other thing), you just flip up the cable and pull out that little plate from underneath it, no problem, and then you can reach the tray that holds the drive assembly." Half an hour of deciphering that and you yourself could probably then make a tragic video of how well your understanding of that piece of text has worked out.​

But for regular old basic "infotainment" applications - news, politics, and that infernal and ever burgeoning wannabe "influencer" genre, seems like a waste of time to watch someone say for 20 minutes what we just could read in a tenth of the time (if the podcaster could only write?).

Do you enjoy reading transcripts whilst driving, running, walking, etc? Or in the shower? Or making food? Or eating? Or falling asleep in bed?

 

[edgonzalez32]

So i just got an Apple Watch yesterday... just figured out I can’t listen to Spotify when I go for a run without my phone. WTF. I’m starting an Apple Music trial today and we’ll see how it goes. I have a Spotify family account and some users are using it to play music on a google home which I think Apple Music can’t do directly :/

My advice? Don't switch platforms if your only reason is to get it to work on a device.

My other advice is maybe take a look at other wearables. What is more important to you? A smart watch or for a fitness tracker? If a fitness tracker is more important, definitely take a look at Garmin's line. They are, in my opinion, some of the best you can buy and do offer spotify offline polayback.