Feb. 25, 2026

461. Apple’s Video Podcast Push Changes Everything…And Nothing

Show Notes

Apple’s video announcement is stirring the pot again, and it’s funny because the gurus will remind you Apple always had video; that is true, but it just wasn’t widely used, or easy to roll out at scale. What’s changed now is the path feels more built out for creators, and the playback experience is more familiar for listeners. We’ve got some spicy hot takes about what Apple gets right, and why the hype can be louder than the reality. We also share a smart money reminder for creators: freebies, barter, gifts, and even prizes can be taxable income, whether a 1099 shows up or not. We also hit a headline about a major late-night name saying podcasting grew their reach beyond TV, and we close with quick Ambies highlights worth studying.

Episode Highlights:

[03:03] Weekly podcast publishing stats

[06:14] Spotify and Apple top charts

[08:15] Upcoming podcasting events and conferences

[11:32] Ralph’s business bite on creator taxes

[15:26] Gifts, barter deals, and deductible expenses

[23:37] Video hype versus audio reality

[37:39] HLS streaming and what’s actually new

[41:41] Conan O’Brien and podcast audience power

[47:24] 2026 Ambies highlights and notable moments

Links & Resources:

The Podcasting Morning Chat: