How to Set Up HLS Video Podcasting with Blubrry – Blubrry

Blubrry makes it easy to publish video podcasts to Apple Podcasts using HTTP Live Streaming (HLS). You can upload a single video file, and Blubrry automatically prepares video and audio versions for your audience.

This guide walks you through connecting your Apple Podcasts Connect account to Blubrry, enabling HLS video, and publishing your first video episode.

Overview

With Blubrry, you only need to upload your video once. Blubrry automatically:

Creates an HLS video stream for Apple Podcasts.
Generates an MP3 audio version for podcast apps that don't support video.
Makes the HLS stream, original video, and MP3 audio available through your podcast's publishing setup.

Apple Podcasts uses the HLS stream to deliver video episodes. Other podcast apps can use the original video or MP3 audio version, depending on what they support.

You can continue managing your podcast through your existing publishing workflow without creating a separate video podcast feed.

Part 1: Get Your Apple Podcasts Connect API Key

Before Blubrry can publish HLS video to Apple Podcasts, you'll need to connect your Apple Podcasts Connect account.

This requires an API key, which allows Blubrry to securely communicate with Apple Podcasts on your behalf.

Log in to Apple Podcasts Connect.
Make sure your podcast appears in your account. If it doesn't, you'll need to claim your show first.
Click Account in the top menu.
Select the Keys tab (labeled API Keys in some versions of the interface).
Click the + button next to Active to create a new key.
Enter a name for your key, such as "Blubrry."
Click Generate.
Click Download API Key to save the file to your computer.

Your downloaded API key will be a file ending in .pem. Keep this file somewhere secure, as you'll need it in the next step.

Important: Apple only allows you to download an API key once. Don't rename the downloaded file, as its filename contains information needed to identify the key.

Part 2: Upload Your API Key to Blubrry

Next, connect your Apple Podcasts Connect account to Blubrry.

Log in to your Blubrry dashboard.
Go to Show > Manage.
Click More in the top menu.
Select Subscriptions.
Upload the .pem API key file you downloaded from Apple.
Follow the prompts to verify your API key.

Once your API key is verified, Blubrry is connected to your Apple Podcasts Connect account.

Part 3: Enable HLS Video on Apple Podcasts

Before publishing your first HLS video episode, you'll need to make sure Apple has enabled HLS video delivery for your show.

Apple is making HLS video available to eligible podcasts on a rolling basis, so it may not be enabled for every show automatically.

To check your show's availability:

Log in to Apple Podcasts Connect.
Select your podcast.
Open your show's Settings.
Look for the Video Podcasts section to check whether HLS video delivery is available.

If HLS video delivery is available, you can continue with the setup process.

If HLS video delivery isn't available yet, you'll need to request access from Apple.

Request HLS Video Access

Visit the Apple Podcasts Contact Us page.
Complete the contact form.
Select HLS Video as the topic, if available.
Explain that you'd like HLS video enabled for your podcast and that you're using Blubrry as your hosting provider.
Submit your request.

Wait for Apple to enable HLS video for your show before publishing your first HLS episode.

Part 4: Publish Your First HLS Video Episode

Once your API key is connected and Apple has enabled HLS video for your show, you're ready to publish.

Upload your MP4 video file to Blubrry as you normally would when creating a new episode.
Blubrry automatically processes your video, creating an HLS stream for Apple Podcasts and an MP3 audio version.
Complete your episode details, including the title and description.
Publish your episode as usual.

Blubrry prepares the video for HLS delivery at up to 1080p Full HD. We recommend uploading a 1080p MP4 file rather than a 4K video.

You don't need to upload a separate MP3 file or manually create an HLS stream.

Allow Time for Processing

Video files take longer to process than audio files, so your episode may not be immediately available on Apple Podcasts.

As a general guideline, allow at least half the length of your episode for video processing. For example, a 60-minute video episode may need at least 30 minutes to process.

Processing times can vary depending on the size and length of your video.

Once Blubrry finishes processing, Apple Podcasts may need additional time to make the video available to viewers.

Part 5: Confirm Your Video Is Available on Apple Podcasts

After publishing your episode and allowing time for processing, check that your video is available.

Open Apple Podcasts on a supported device or visit Apple Podcasts.
Find your podcast.
Select the video episode you just published.
Start playback and confirm that the video appears.

Apple Podcasts allows viewers to switch between watching video and listening to audio without leaving the episode.

If your episode is available but the video doesn't appear, confirm that Apple has enabled HLS for your show and that Blubrry has finished processing your video.

If you continue having trouble, contact Blubrry Support for assistance.

Quick Checklist

Before publishing your first HLS video episode, make sure you've completed these steps:

Created an Apple Podcasts Connect API key.
Uploaded and verified the .pem file in Blubrry under Show > Manage > More > Subscriptions.
Confirmed that Apple has enabled HLS video delivery for your show.
Uploaded your MP4 video file to Blubrry.
Completed your episode details and published the episode.
Allowed time for video processing.
Confirmed that your video is available on Apple Podcasts.

Need Help?

If you're having trouble connecting your Apple Podcasts Connect account, uploading your video, or getting your episode to appear on Apple Podcasts, our Support team is here to help.

Contact Blubrry Support

For more information about Apple's HLS video features, see How to Publish Video on Apple Podcasts.