We’re thrilled to share that Podpage now supports the HLS video podcast format—directly aligned with the recently released proposal from the Podcast Standards Project. This marks a major milestone in bringing adaptive streaming video to creators and listeners alike.
Introducing open HLS video streaming for podcasts
In May 2025, the Podcast Standards Project published A new paradigm for video podcasts: HLS streaming, proposing an alternateEnclosure tag that embeds HLS-based video within standard RSS feeds.
This allows creators to deliver both audio and adaptive video from a single feed, maintaining backward compatibility and eliminating bulky downloads—ushering in a seamless, audio-first user experience.
Demo launch: Fountain app beta nails the vision
On June 28, the project launched a working demo feed. The Fountain iOS beta already supports it with a slick, audio-first interface and a flick-to-toggle video player. Playback stays in perfect sync with adaptive quality streaming—it’s exactly the kind of listener experience this spec was designed for.
Podpage is on board
We’re excited to announce that Podpage now recognizes and supports HLS video enclosures. That means:
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All video-eligible episode pages on Podpage will automatically detect and display HLS video streams.
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Podcasters can publish audio and video in a single RSS feed—no extra upload steps.
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Listeners enjoy smooth, adaptive streaming that skips the long wait for full video downloads.
This aligns perfectly with Podpage’s mission: empowering creators through innovation, usability, and open standards.
You can see the demo episode page here, built just by added the demo RSS feed into Podpage's podcast website creator.
Why this matters now
This update brings four key benefits to creators and listeners:
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Simplicity: You only need one RSS feed—no more managing separate audio and video versions.
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Performance: Adaptive HLS streaming adjusts to mobile networks automatically, reducing buffering and download times.
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Compatibility: The format is backward compatible with audio-only podcast players, so every listener is covered.
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Future-ready: This technology works across all platforms—mobile, desktop, and smart TVs—making it ideal for long-term growth.
What’s next: let’s build an ecosystem
Big thanks to the Podcast Standards Project for driving this forward.
Make your next episode video‑ready
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Update your audio-only feed with podcast:alternateEnclosure tags pointing to your HLS video manifest.
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Publish as usual—Podpage handles the rest.
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Your Podpage site will serve audio by default with a high‑quality video option visible to your audience.
