Podbean now supports HLS video information in podcast RSS feeds, allowing compatible podcast apps to provide adaptive video streaming and audio-only playback.
Podcast apps that support HLS can automatically select the video bitrate that best matches a listener’s current internet connection. Listeners can also choose Audio-Only Mode when they prefer to listen without watching the video.
Podbean already supports HLS video delivery to Apple Podcasts through Apple’s API. By adding HLS video support to podcast RSS feeds, Podbean is making the benefits of adaptive video streaming available to more podcast apps and more listeners.
In this post, we will cover:
What Is Adaptive Bitrate Streaming?
Can Listeners Play an HLS Video Podcast in Audio-Only Mode?
How Does Podbean Support HLS Video?
What Are the Benefits of HLS Video for Podcast Creators?
What Are the Benefits of HLS Video for Listeners?
Which Podcast Apps Can Play HLS Video from an RSS Feed?
Do Creators Need to Upload Multiple Video Versions?
How to Enable HLS Video for Your Podcast
HLS stands for HTTP Live Streaming. It is an adaptive streaming technology used to deliver video and audio over the internet.
Instead of providing only one version of a video, HLS makes multiple versions available at different quality levels and bitrates. A compatible podcast app can monitor the listener’s network connection and automatically select the most appropriate version during playback.
This helps provide smoother video playback across different devices and network conditions.
When a creator uploads a video episode and enables HLS video, Podbean prepares multiple versions of the episode at different bitrates.
During playback, a compatible podcast app can:
The listener does not need to manually select a specific video file. The podcast app can automatically choose the version that works best for the listener’s current network bandwidth.
Adaptive bitrate streaming is a technology that changes video quality based on the viewer’s available internet bandwidth.
For example, a listener using a fast Wi-Fi connection may receive a higher-resolution video. If the listener switches to a slower mobile connection, the podcast app can move to a lower-bitrate version to help prevent interruptions.
The app may adjust the bitrate several times during the same episode as network conditions change.
Yes. Podbean generates an audio-only version of the uploaded video episode.
Compatible podcast apps can allow listeners to play the episode in Audio-Only Mode. This is useful when listeners:
Audio-Only Mode gives listeners more control over how they consume video podcast content.
When an eligible video episode is uploaded, Podbean can automatically generate:
Podbean provides HLS video to Apple Podcasts through Apple’s API. Podbean also includes HLS video information in the podcast RSS feed so that other compatible podcast apps can access and play the HLS stream.
Podcast creators do not need to manually encode multiple video files or create a separate audio version.
HLS video helps podcast creators distribute video episodes in a format designed for flexible and reliable streaming.
The main benefits include:
Creators can upload their video content while Podbean handles the technical preparation and delivery.
Listeners can enjoy a more flexible video podcast experience.
A compatible podcast app can automatically adjust the video quality as the listener’s network changes. Listeners can also switch to Audio-Only Mode when they want to save data, reduce battery usage, or listen without watching the screen.
This makes video podcasts easier to enjoy in more situations.
Any podcast app that supports the HLS video information provided in the RSS feed can use the available HLS stream.
Podbean’s addition of HLS video support in RSS feeds gives more podcast apps the opportunity to provide adaptive video playback similar to the HLS experience available in Apple Podcasts.
No. Creators do not need to create or upload separate versions of the same video.
After HLS video is enabled, creators can upload a video episode, and Podbean will handle the process of generating multiple video bitrates and an audio-only version.
To get started, enable HLS video for your podcast and upload a video episode.
Podbean will take care of generating the available video bitrates, preparing the audio-only version, and delivering the HLS video information to supported platforms and compatible podcast apps.
Learn how to enable HLS video for your podcast.
HLS means HTTP Live Streaming. It is an adaptive streaming technology that delivers video and audio in multiple quality levels.
Yes. A compatible app can automatically select and change the video bitrate based on the listener’s current network bandwidth.
Yes. Podbean can generate an audio-only version from the uploaded video episode.
Yes. Compatible podcast apps can allow listeners to play the audio-only version instead of the video.
Yes. Podbean supports Apple Podcasts HLS video delivery through Apple’s API.
Yes. Podbean now supports HLS video information in podcast RSS feeds so compatible podcast apps can access the HLS stream.
No. Podbean handles the creation of multiple video bitrates, the audio-only version, and the required HLS streaming information.
Podbean’s support for HLS video in podcast RSS feeds helps bring adaptive video streaming to a broader podcast ecosystem.
Creators can provide one video episode, while listeners can enjoy dynamically adjusted video quality or choose Audio-Only Mode. With support through both Apple’s API and podcast RSS feeds, Podbean is making video podcasts more flexible, accessible, and reliable across compatible podcast apps.
Enable HLS video for your podcast today!
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