Which podcast hosts distribute video? What to check before you choose

Several podcast hosts now distribute video, but support varies by destination. Apple Podcasts video is the one most hosts have added since 2026, YouTube and Spotify are patchier, and the details change quickly.

Acast distributes video to Apple Podcasts through its Video Plan.

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Why hosting video matters now

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Edison Research's Podcast Consumer 2026 report found that 37% of weekly podcast consumers say YouTube is the service they use most for podcasts, up from 31% two years earlier. Edison also reports that video consumption has overtaken audio-only for the first time in its podcast metrics.

That changes the hosting question. It used to be "where does my audio go?" Now it's "where do my audio and my video go, and do they stay in one workflow?"

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What podcast hosts distribute video?

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Apple opened native video podcasts in early 2026 using HLS streaming, and hosts have been adding support in waves. Acast was among the first hosting partners, and others, including Transistor, have since announced support.

Because this moves month to month, treat any comparison table (ours included) as a snapshot. Ask each host these four questions instead.

• Does it deliver HLS video to Apple Podcasts? Check the file size limit and resolution cap.
• Does it extract the audio for you? You shouldn't have to export and upload twice.
• Can it publish to YouTube? Or will you upload there by hand?
• Does your analytics split audio from video? You need to know which format is working.

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How Acast handles video

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The Acast Video Plan lets you upload a video episode in Creator Hub. Acast handles the encoding and sends the video to Apple Podcasts, with more platforms planned.

It extracts the audio automatically, so the same episode still reaches audio apps like Spotify, Amazon Music and Pocket Casts. You can swap older audio-only episodes for video versions, and your dashboard shows audio and video consumption separately.

The plan includes 10,000 video views a month across your account. You can also opt in to video advertising and sponsorships through the Acast Marketplace.

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Export settings for Apple Podcasts video

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Apple Podcasts video through Acast has a 10 GB file limit per episode. Acast recommends 1080p at 5 to 10 Mbps in SDR, which keeps most episodes comfortably inside the limit.

As a guide, 10 Mbps fits about two hours and 18 minutes into 10 GB. At 5 Mbps you get about four hours and 36 minutes. Skip 4K: file sizes balloon and most viewers on phones won't see the difference.

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So which host should you choose?

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If Apple Podcasts is where your viewers are and you want one workflow for audio and video, the Video Plan covers it. If YouTube is your main stage, plan to publish there directly, whichever host you pick.

Starting from scratch? Read how to start a video podcast, then how to repurpose your podcast for social media. For the wider choice, see how to choose a podcast hosting platform. We also covered the platform change in Video on Apple Podcasts: now open to all.

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Frequently asked questions

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What podcast hosts distribute video?

Hosts that support Apple's HLS video, including Acast, distribute video to Apple Podcasts. Support for YouTube and Spotify differs by host. Check the four questions above against each host's current feature page.

How do I start a video podcast?

Record in 1080p, export in SDR at 5 to 10 Mbps, and publish the video alongside an audio version. Our full walkthrough is in how to start a video podcast.

Can I put my Acast video podcast on Spotify?

Not as a separate upload. Spotify for Creators doesn't accept a video version from Acast-hosted shows today, because video is incompatible with dynamic ad insertion. Your audio still reaches Spotify through your normal feed.

How do I get my podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts?

Submit your RSS feed to each directory once, and new episodes follow automatically. The steps are in how to get your podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.