Spotify now supports video podcasts as well as audio podcasts. This means that podcasters will be able to record the video along with the audio and play it directly in the Spotify app. And Spotify listeners, both free and paid, will be able to watch video podcasts on Spotify.
As noted in a post on For the Record, Spotify is starting to roll out its video podcast feature. Video podcasts will be available to listeners in all markets where podcasts are already supported. However, only a handful of podcasters offer video at launch.
Everyone in a country where podcasts are supported on Spotify should be able to watch video podcasts. Starting with the Higher Education episode with Van Lathan and Rachel Lindsay embedded below. Simply open it in Spotify's desktop or mobile app and click Play .
Video and audio should start playing simultaneously and stay in sync throughout. If you switch to another app or lock your mobile device, audio will continue to play in the background. You can also download audio-only podcasts to listen to on the go without worrying about the video.
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In addition to this episode of Higher Learning, other podcasts with video components include Basketball Book 2.0, Fantasy Footballers, The Misfits Podcast, H3 Podcast, The Morning Toast, and Rooster Teeth Podcast. And more will be added as Spotify rolls out this feature.
Spotify has been testing video podcasts since May 2020. The streaming service records podcasts and podcast networks left, right and center, and some of them are already producing video content. So supporting video podcasts was an obvious next step.
The signing of Joe Rogan in May forced Spotify to act quickly. After all, the company spent millions securing Rogan's services, and his video podcast (which is currently streaming on YouTube) is a big reason Spotify signed the so-called King of Podcasters.
>Watching a video podcast on Spotify isn't perfect right now, but the streaming service has made it clear that it intends to improve features in the future. Whether anyone is actually watching them remains to be seen.
If you want to discover more podcasts to listen to (with video or otherwise), here's how to find new podcasts using Spotify's podcast playlists.