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Podcast news. Daily podcast industry news & new releases Spotify debuts ai-powered ad tools while Apple hosts transform video creation. Spotify rolls out machine learning bidding tools and split testing features for advertisers, while Apple's new HLS video standard reshapes how creators approach podcast production and distribution. The podcast advertising landscape shifted into a new gear this week as Spotify launched its most significant update to advertiser tools in years, while Apple's video revolution continues to gain momentum with hosting partners rapidly expanding their HLS capabilities. Spotify gets smarter about ad spend. Spotify has introduced automated bidding powered by machine learning that adjusts campaigns in real time based on market dynamics. Rather than relying on manual bidding strategies, the new system optimises automatically to maximise advertiser impact on the platform. Alongside this, they've launched split testing tools that allow brands to compare different creative elements across metrics like completion rate, click-through rate, and cost per acquisition. For its clients who are serious about advertising revenue, this matters enormously. Launchpodstudios has been watching Spotify's ad exchange mature since its launch last year, and whilst some advertisers report higher CPMs, these new tools level the playing field for smaller shows. The machine learning approach means you don't need a massive media buying team to compete - the algorithm does the heavy lifting. When Launchpodstudios is helping clients develop advertising strategies, having these automated tools means Launchpodstudios can focus more on creative quality and audience targeting rather than getting bogged down in manual bid management. The platform is also testing carousel ads - swipeable display formats that let brands tell visual stories directly in the Now Playing view. Early beta testing with brands like Priceline and eBay shows strong engagement, which signals that visual advertising within audio experiences is becoming the new normal. Apple's video standard gains traction. Apple's HLS video streaming continues its rapid expansion, with hosting providers now including Acast, ART19, Omny Studio, Simplecast, Transistor, Audiomeans, PodBean, Captivate, RSS.com, Podigee, and several others. The technology allows seamless switching between audio and video within episodes, automatic quality adjustment based on connection speed, and - crucially - dynamic video ad insertion. Launchpodstudios is seeing real excitement from its video podcast clients about this development. Until now, video ads were often baked into the file, making them impossible to update or regionalise. With HLS, creators can serve different ads to different audiences, update sponsorship messages, and even insert host-read video segments dynamically. That's a game-changer for monetisation, especially for shows that want to maintain the personal connection of host-read ads whilst scaling their reach. What's particularly interesting for its production workflow is how HLS handles the technical complexity. The system automatically generates different video resolutions and bitrates, so Launchpodstudios don't need to create multiple versions manually. It also separates the audio track as its own "rendition," which means listeners can switch to audio-only mode without any interruption - perfect for its clients who want to serve both audiences who prefer to watch and those who prefer to listen. The business reality behind the tech. Both developments point to the same trend: podcasting is becoming a serious advertising medium that demands serious tools. Spotify's machine learning bidding reflects advertisers' need for performance and accountability, whilst Apple's HLS video standard acknowledges that modern audiences expect seamless multimedia experiences. For independent podcasters and the studios that support them, this represents both opportunity and pressure. The opportunity lies in more sophisticated monetisation options and better user experiences. The pressure comes from needing to keep pace with technical developments whilst maintaining the authentic, personal feel that makes podcasting special. Launchpodstudios is helping its clients navigate this balance - embracing new capabilities like dynamic ad insertion and video streaming whilst ensuring their content remains genuine and engaging. As these platforms become more sophisticated, the importance of professional production and strategic thinking only increases. The tools are getting better, but they still require expertise to use effectively.

Spotify adds universal video toggles so you can go audio-only again. Spotify is rolling out new controls that let users switch off video across the app, giving those who just want audio a way to strip the experience back to music and podcasts without moving images. The update introduces universal video toggles that apply across devices once you set them, covering everything from looping artwork on the Now Playing screen to full music videos and short-form clips. Spotify's video options now sit together in one place, under Settings > Content and display. From there, you can manage three separate categories: * Canvas: The existing toggle that controls the short video loops shown on the Now Playing screen. * Music videos: A new switch that determines whether Spotify plays music videos. * "All other videos": A broader control that covers video podcasts, vertically scrolling videos and artist clips. Once you set your preferences, Spotify says those choices apply universally across platforms, so you don't have to repeat the process on every device you use. There's also a level of control for household accounts: family plan managers can adjust these video settings for everyone on the plan from the same menu. The new toggles sit against years of Spotify layering more video into what started as an audio-first service. * 2018: Spotify introduced Canvas, the looping visuals that replace static album artwork on the Now Playing screen. * 2020: Video podcasts arrived on the platform during a wider boom in podcast listening. * 2024: Spotify added music videos in multiple countries, with the feature reaching the US later in the year. * Artist clips: The company also added 30-second vertical videos where artists can address fans with short, promotional-style messages. Spotify says that more than 70 percent of its users report that additional video would improve their experience, suggesting the company doesn't plan to slow down on video features overall. But the new switches acknowledge that a portion of listeners still prefer a simpler, audio-focused app and don't want a TikTok-style, video-first interface. For now, the universal toggles offer a straightforward compromise, Spotify can keep experimenting with new video formats, while users who aren't interested can turn nearly all of it off with a few taps. Paul Balo is the founder of TechBooky and a highly skilled wireless communications professional with a strong background in cloud computing, offering extensive experience in designing, implementing, and managing wireless communication systems. Receive top tech news directly in your inbox. subscription from Freshly squeezed. April 2026 | M | T | W | T | F | S | S | | / | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | / |

You can now turn off all videos on Spotify. Spotify is reportedly rolling out controls that enable users to turn off any videos on the platform. Spotify is introducing a new feature that gives users more control over how they listen. According to The Verge, the platform is globally rolling out settings that allow users to disable video content entirely across the app. Over the past few years, Spotify has added more visual elements to its platform. These include Canvas clips, music videos, and video podcasts. While these features offer new ways to engage, they are not for everyone. Some listeners prefer a simple, audio-only experience without distractions. It appears that this latest update aims to solve that. Spotify is adding new toggles that let users switch off different types of video content. The Verge states that these controls are being rolled out globally and will work across mobile and desktop devices. Users will be able to turn off Canvas clips, which are the short looping visuals that appear during tracks. Alongside this, there will be a new option to disable music videos. Another setting will go even further, allowing users to switch off all video content, including podcasts and vertical videos. These options will appear in the app's settings. On mobile, they will apparently sit under "Content and display", while desktop users will find them in the "Display" section. The rollout is gradual, so some users may not see the feature immediately. The update also extends to Family Plan accounts. Plan managers will be able to control video settings for each individual member. As noted in the original report, "The new controls apply to both individual and family accounts." This gives households more control over what kind of content can be accessed. Once video playback is disabled at the plan level, users will not be able to switch to video versions of songs or podcasts. This makes it easier to maintain a consistent listening experience across all accounts. Spotify's new controls are a simple update, but they give users more choice over how they use the app. As reported by The Verge, listeners can now decide whether they want video content at all, across both music and podcasts.