Spotify to support HLS video for Apple Podcasts

• Spotify’s Megaphone, and Spotify for Creators, are to support video for podcasts published on Apple Podcasts. The two companies were the only large podcast hosts not to announce support for HLS video when Apple announced it earlier in the year. No pricing has been given. It doesn’t change how video works on Spotify, however: the company still requires videos to be uploaded directly for playback on the Spotify app.

  • The company also announced live partners for Spotify Video Distribution (which allows your podcast host to directly upload video for you into Spotify). Libsyn, Podigee, Audioboom, Audiomeans, and Podspace are all live with the feature today. Spotify Video Distribution was announced in January; Acast and Omny Studio were both highlighted as launch partners then, but aren’t yet live. Spotify is now explicit in the FAQ that if you change your mind, you can transition your show back to an audio-only RSS feed - but the company warns you, you’ll lose all video uploads.

• At a big YouTube event called Brandcast, a number of YouTube-exclusive shows were announced, including four new shows from Alex Cooper’s Unwell Network. YouTube announced a number of new features for advertisers.

• The NZ Podcast Summit last weekend was the last, the organiser, Lewis Tennant, announced. It was the fifth annual event. It leaves both Australia and New Zealand without a focused podcast conference.

• Where are Inception Point AI hosting their entirely-AI-produced shows these days? After leaving Spreaker last week, Spotify’s Megaphone is now the company’s podcast host. Podnews understands that Inception Point AI is not monetising its podcasts through SPAN, Spotify’s audience network, and that there are no plans to enable SPAN for their shows.

  • For migrated shows that Podnews sampled, all disclosures that the content is produced by AI have been removed from episode and show notes. Some shows have no disclosure in the audio, either. Spotify is currently evaluating how AI shows up across the platform, including questions around transparency and disclosure; but Apple Podcasts guidelines have a clear requirement (11.1) to prominently disclose the use of AI. We asked Apple Podcasts why Inception Point AI shows were still appearing in its directory - which feeds other apps - when they are in contravention of Apple’s content guidelines. Apple Podcasts acknowledged our question, but did not get back to us.
  • Currently, a search for “Charlie Kirk” in Apple Podcasts returns Inception Point AI shows at #4, #6, #7, #9, #15, #19, and #23; in Spotify at #6, #12, #14, #17, #19, and #27. The company has around 15,000 shows.

• Crossed Wires has partnered with SXSW London to create the Podcasting Track stage on June 3 (which will be held at Christ Church Spitalfields). The company has also appointed Ian Bushell as Managing Director.

• What’s changed in the last six years to get the most out of your podcast marketing? Jeremy Enns from the Podcast Marketing Academy, which is six years old this week, reflects on what’s changed - and what hasn’t. (He’s in London next week).

Podnews is back to its normal length on Monday.

Tips and tricks - with The Podcast Show London

• The Podcast Show has an app - on iOS and on Android. You’ll need a link, which is waiting in your email, marked “The Podcast Show Official App”; or sign up using your registered email address.
• AI can be helpful to use in your podcast; but there’s legal things to think about as well, as Gordon Firemark tells us.

Podcast News - with Airwave

With Airwave: Blowback is a podcast about the American Empire. The last season looked at the story of Angola, Cuba, and apartheid South Africa’s Cold War showdown.

It was illegal to be gay in Queensland, Australia, until 1991. Police could burst into your house at any time; and could even beat you up. In the new podcast Queersland, hear a celebration of the state’s unique culture from those who were there - and who smashed the system.

A new podcast this week, Launchpad of Innovation brings you unfiltered conversations between DPAA Global President & CEO Barry Frey and the C-suite executives shaping the future of advertising, marketing, and media. From AdTech breakthroughs to brand-building strategies to the career moves that define eras, this is where the industry’s boldest thinkers come to discuss what’s next.

You Know Too Much is a new podcast celebrating the deeply specific, oddly delightful, occasionally unhinged things people know way too much about. Hosted by mavenverse co-founders Pamala Buzick Kim & Eva McCloskey. No takes, no hot opinions, just people who know everything you’ve ever wanted to know about that thing you didn’t know about.