Apple Podcasts Subscriptions are set to gain video, meaning the shows you already pay for in the Apple Podcasts app on an iPhone will soon be able to offer subscriber-only video episodes, ad-free video, early access and bonus content. No firm launch date has been confirmed.
Apple announced the change on its Apple Podcasts for Creators site on 22 September, stating that video is coming “soon” to Apple Podcasts Subscriptions in more than 170 countries and regions. Creators will be able to place subscriber-exclusive episodes, ad-free video, early access and bonus material behind the same paywall they already use for premium audio, and subscribers will be able to watch across Apple devices and the web.
Apple says it is working with podcast hosting providers across the industry on the integration, with further details from participating partners due in the months ahead.
How the change builds on earlier updates
This marks the second stage of a push Apple began in February. Video podcasts arrived in Apple Podcasts with iOS 26.4 in March, allowing users to switch between watching and listening, go full-screen and download episodes for offline viewing. That video, however, has only ever been free, while Apple Podcasts Subscriptions have remained audio-only since they launched in 2021.
Apple is arriving relatively late. Spotify has offered video podcasts since 2020, and its Partner Programme pays eligible creators from both Premium video engagement and advertising revenue. That programme is expanding to 35 regions this autumn, with monthly payouts to shows up by a third since January. YouTube, meanwhile, had already pushed Apple Podcasts into third place among US podcast listeners in 2024.
What paid podcast video means for iPhone owners
Apple’s approach differs from its rivals, as fans pay a creator directly, show by show, at a price the creator sets. Those already paying for a show in Apple Podcasts stand to benefit most, since their perks should soon cover video too, without a second app. Creators gain a practical advantage as well, because a single subscription can carry both the audio and video versions of the same episode.
Until hosting providers announce support, there is nothing to switch on. Users are advised to keep the app updated and watch for their favourite shows to announce video perks. If you watch podcasts on Spotify or YouTube, nothing changes unless a show you follow moves its extras behind an Apple paywall. The Podcasts app comes preinstalled on every iPhone.
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Image: phonearena.com
