Video Distribution (Beta)

Podspace support video podcast distribution to three platforms; Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube. In your podcast Distribution page you can enable each of these platforms for video distribution, and as that's done videos you add to your episodes will be automatically published to the enabled platforms.

As video distribution don't use the traditional RSS format for distribution, each platform comes with its own opportunities and limitations. In this article we aim to describe how video distribution works on each platform so you can make the right choices for your podcast.

General

When uploading a video episode, audio will be extracted automatically so there's no need for a separate audio file. Podspace will create a pure audio file to be distributed to audio only platforms, and video platforms will play the audio from the video to users who choose to listen to rather than watch the podcast.

Uploading

As video files are much larger and complex than audio files, you should expect video uploads to take longer than audio uploads. How long uploads take depends on the platform and internet speed, so make sure to prepare a release well before the time you want it to be available.

Apple Podcasts

Apple Podcasts is using HTTP Live Streaming, or HLS, via the traditional RSS feed to distribute videos. This means that your RSS feed will still be used to distribute your podcast, but when an episode has a video attached Apple will download it through HLS.

Metrics and reporting

By using this technique video episodes will function in a similar way as audio episodes in terms of downloads and data. Video episodes will however be downloaded in different qualities depending on the users connection, and in smaller chunks meaning some data on consumption rates can be obtained.

Video data for Apple Podcasts will be calculated in accordance with the IAB measurement guidelines and can hence be reported to Poddindex together with traditional audio metrics.

Ads monetization

Ads and sponsorships from the Podspace Ads network or campaigns created in Podspace will be inserted into both audio and video episodes in Apple Podcasts. Ads that don't have any video creatives will play with a static image in video episodes. This can be an image provided by the advertiser, or a generic Podspace image. Video ads will play only as sound in audio episodes.

Podspace Premium monetization

As of now, premium episodes will only play audio.

Spotify

Videos will be published to Spotify through their new Distribution API, and once it has been enabled audio will also be distributed through the API. Historic episodes will continue to be served though the RSS. This means that when you enable Spotify video for your podcast, Spotify will stop using your RSS feed for future episodes and instead rely only on the files you upload through the API.

Metrics and reporting

Since Spotify will have full control of the episode media files, all metrics will be collected and provided by them. Spotify do not measure listens and listeners according to the IAB measurement guidelines, and hence these metrics can't be reported to Swedish Poddindex or Norwegian Podtoppen. They will also look different from historic Spotify RSS-data in Podspace, but all data will be available in your Podspace dashboards.

Ads monetization

With the switch to Distribution API, Spotify no longer play ads for their premium users. Instead creators can join the Spotify Partner Program to get compensated based on amount of premium plays. Ads and sponsorships from the Podspace Ads network or campaigns created in Podspace will be inserted into both audio and video episodes for Spotify free users.

Podspace Premium monetization

As of now, premium episodes will only play audio.

YouTube

YouTube video publishing is enabled by connecting a YouTube channel and podcast playlist to your podcast in the Distribution settings. Once connected, video episodes you publish will be automatically uploaded to the connected playlist.

Metrics and reporting

Performance data is imported from YouTube through their reporting API. YouTube do not use the IAB measurement guidelines, and hence these metrics can't be reported to Swedish Poddindex or Norwegian Podtoppen. YouTube don't provide any reach data.

Ads monetization

Podspace will not insert any dynamic ads into videos on YouTube. To monetize your content on YouTube we refer to the YouTube Partner Program.

Podspace Premium monetization

Premium podcasts are not compatible with YouTube.

Please note that video podcasts are in Beta

Beta features is functionality that are available to use but is still in a testing phase. With Beta features, we want to test functionality on a wider audience before deciding to roll it our to the entire user base. We encourage users to try out beta features, but please be aware that:

• Beta features might change quite quickly as we learn from the feedback provided by users

• We might reach out to ask for feedback on your experience using the beta feature

• Pricing and/or price plan eligibility of features might change as they go out of Beta and are made generally available, in which case we’ll reach out to all current users in good time before the changes are implemented