> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.podigee.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.podigee.com/documentation/grow-and-monetize/monetization/understand-apple-podcasts-video-delivery-and-certification.md). # Understand Apple Podcasts video delivery and certification Understand how Podigee prepares HLS video and dynamic interstitial ads for Apple Podcasts, and how to read each verification level. The Podigee Audio Video Ad Server can prepare and deliver video podcast episodes for Apple Podcasts. The episode remains an ordinary RSS episode. Podigee hosts a separate HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) presentation and associates it with the same episode identity in Apple Podcasts. Podigee controls the HLS media, ad decisions, interstitial assets, delivery evidence, and durable media addresses. Apple controls Podcasts Connect, the Apple Podcasts apps, downloads, playback, and the final platform acceptance. ## Follow one Apple Podcasts episode The delivery sequence is: 1. Podigee publishes the episode in the normal podcast RSS feed with a stable episode GUID. 2. Podigee prepares the audio and video HLS package for the exact episode version. 3. Podigee adds Apple interstitial markers at the approved ad breaks. 4. Podigee makes the HLS presentation available at a stable public address. 5. The Apple Podcasts connection associates that address with the matching RSS episode. 6. Apple Podcasts can download the audio or stream the video. 7. When Apple requests an interstitial asset list, Podigee returns the ad selected for the frozen presentation, or a valid no-fill response. 8. Podigee records delivery observations and creates commercial evidence only when the active measurement rule is complete. The RSS episode and the Apple HLS presentation must keep the same episode identity. Podigee does not create a second, unrelated episode for video. ## Configure the Apple Podcasts connection Use **Monetization > Revenue jobs > Integration certification > Configure a connector**. Select **Apple Podcasts** as the provider and **Delivery surface** as the connection purpose. The selected standards must include the Apple public HLS interstitial contract and the current Apple Podcasts HLS profile. ![The current One Podigee connector form shows Apple Podcasts as a delivery surface and selects the Apple public HLS interstitial contract and Apple Podcasts HLS 1.2.](https://2032417310-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FbqUKO6lljHGzkEAzliPI%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-34d9daa348dece809f9dccab5999d7ca485d3f70%2Fdoc-monetization-058-apple-standards.png?alt=media) *Select the Apple delivery standards before you test or activate the connection.* Podigee checks the connection setup before it can affect delivery. The connector also keeps the boundary clear: Podigee can verify the media package and its own delivery behavior, but Apple must accept the platform association and playback behavior. ## Prepare the required HLS package An Apple Podcasts video presentation contains several related resources. Podigee prepares and checks them as one package: * A Multivariant Playlist lists every available stream. * An audio-only variant supports downloads and audio fallback. * The required 720p and 1080p video variants support Apple devices. * An I-frame stream supports seeking and scrubbing. * Media Playlists list the ordered audio and video parts. * WebVTT tracks provide captions or subtitles when they are available. * Interstitial markers identify the approved commercial breaks. Podigee checks codec details, playlist structure, media references, durations, and required variants before the package can become active. If a required resource is missing or inconsistent, Podigee blocks that delivery version. It does not send an incomplete presentation to Apple. Use **Monetization > Inventory > Break Canvas** to confirm the exact episode, audio version, video version, and break positions before publication. ![The current One Podigee Break Canvas shows the exact episode version, its audio and video revisions, and working audio and HLS video previews.](https://2032417310-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FbqUKO6lljHGzkEAzliPI%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-9f5fb46bed6363f496d0880439b19a7d2c470e6f%2Fdoc-monetization-057-video-break-canvas.png?alt=media) *Confirm the source media and break positions before you publish the Apple presentation.* ## Understand Apple interstitials Apple Podcasts uses HLS interstitial markers instead of one permanently stitched video file. An interstitial marker identifies a time range and tells the Apple player where to find the commercial media. Podigee supports two Apple asset methods: * A **direct asset address** points to an interstitial playlist that is already known. * A **dynamic asset list** lets Podigee return the correct interstitial when Apple requests it. The dynamic asset list can contain one or more approved assets. It can also contain an empty asset list. An empty list is a valid no-fill result, not a delivery error. Podigee creates one complete Playback Plan for the presentation. Audio, video, later playlist requests, and commercial evidence use the same frozen decisions. A later request must not select a different ad for the same presentation. ## Keep media available for delayed video playback Apple Podcasts downloads audio by default. It can request the companion video later, after the original audio and interstitial audio were downloaded. A listener can also move between video and audio-only contexts, such as device lock or CarPlay. Podigee therefore keeps the primary playlists, interstitial playlists, and referenced media available at durable addresses. The later video request must resolve to media that matches the earlier presentation. Expired or replaced media must not create a mixed episode or a different ad result. This rule also protects uninterrupted audio fallback. When video stops because of a network or device change, the downloaded audio can continue. ## Keep captions and seeking accurate Apple requires an I-frame stream for video seeking. Podigee also preserves valid WebVTT caption tracks when the episode provides them. Each caption track must refer to the correct language and must stay aligned with the source timeline. Podigee does not publish a filled Apple presentation when it cannot prove that the required video, audio, captions, seeking data, and interstitial resources are compatible. A clean no-fill result can keep the verified episode available without an ad. ## Review one Apple ad decision Open **Monetization > Evidence & Money > Live ad delivery > Recent ad decisions**. Filter the delivery method to **Video interstitial**, then open the decision you need. ![The current One Podigee Ad decision details page shows a selected Video interstitial result, its Campaign, Creative, episode, break, qualified value, and shortened references.](https://2032417310-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FbqUKO6lljHGzkEAzliPI%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-458300b2d2e224a26cf621b97c6b250f96445b01%2Fdoc-monetization-058-apple-decision.png?alt=media) *Use the decision detail to confirm what Podigee selected for one Apple interstitial request.* The decision detail connects the Apple request to the Campaign, Creative, podcast, episode, break, privacy mode, and qualified value. The page shows short references for daily work. An operator can copy the exact reference when support or an audit needs it. ## Understand the four verification levels Apple delivery has four distinct verification levels. Do not treat one level as proof of the next. ### 1. Podigee delivery verification Podigee can verify the HLS playlists, required variants, interstitial asset lists, durable media addresses, ad decisions, caching, events, and commercial evidence in the local and controlled delivery environment. This verifies the behavior that Podigee owns. ### 2. Apple Media Stream Validator verification Apple's Media Stream Validator checks the public HLS presentation with Apple's own validation rules. A completed validator report is stronger evidence than Podigee's internal media checks, but it does not prove that Podcasts Connect accepted the episode association. ### 3. Podcasts Connect association Podcasts Connect must associate the HLS presentation with the correct RSS episode GUID. This step needs an enabled Apple account, the required credentials, and the current Podcasts Connect API contract. The returned provider state and errors must be visible in the connector and episode delivery status. ### 4. Apple platform certification Final certification needs an accepted Apple association and playback evidence from the intended Apple environment or devices. This proves that Apple fetched and played the published package as expected. Podigee must not label a connection as production-certified before this evidence exists. At present, Podigee's host-side Apple HLS behavior is implemented and locally verified. Native Apple validation, Podcasts Connect association, and production platform certification need the corresponding Apple tools, credentials, and enabled provider contract. ## What to check as an operator Before you publish or certify an Apple Podcasts video episode: 1. Confirm that the normal RSS episode has a stable GUID. 2. Confirm that the Apple Podcasts connector uses the correct delivery standards. 3. Open the Break Canvas and confirm the exact audio, video, and break versions. 4. Confirm that the HLS package has audio-only, 720p, 1080p, and I-frame streams. 5. Confirm that captions and language metadata are correct when captions are present. 6. Confirm that every selected video Creative has a compatible ready rendition. 7. Run the Podigee delivery checks and review any blocked result. 8. Run Apple Media Stream Validator when the public stream is available. 9. Confirm the Podcasts Connect association for the exact RSS episode GUID. 10. Test audio download, later video playback, seeking, captions, and interstitial playback in the intended Apple environment. 11. Open the recorded Video interstitial decisions and confirm the Campaign, Creative, episode, break, reason, and qualified value. ## Expected result Apple Podcasts receives one valid HLS presentation for the same episode that appears in the Podigee RSS feed. The presentation includes the required audio and video variants, accurate captions and seeking data, durable media addresses, and interstitial markers. Podigee keeps one frozen ad result across related requests and connects observed delivery to the correct Campaign and commercial evidence. The connection shows each verification level honestly until Apple platform certification is complete. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. 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