What Do You Call a Video Podcast and How They Work

Last Updated: June 2026

Are video podcasts back from the dead? They never really died — and in 2026 they’re the fastest-growing force in podcasting. YouTube is now the most-used platform for podcast consumption, more than half of shows post full video, and 41% of listeners say they prefer to watch. A video podcast (or “vodcast”) is simply a podcast you can watch as well as hear. Below is why they’re booming, the gear and software you need, and how to start one.

What Is a Video Podcast?

A video podcast is a podcast with a visual track — your hosts and guests on screen, not just in your ears. It’s the same structured, episodic show you’d expect from an audio podcast, distributed with video so people can watch on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts, or listen to the audio version anywhere.

That’s different from a one-off vlog or a YouTube tutorial. A video podcast keeps the recurring, conversation-driven format of a podcast and adds a camera. If your goal is specifically a YouTube-first channel, see our YouTube podcast guide and our podcast vs YouTube breakdown.

Are Video Podcasts Actually Back?

Emphatically, yes. The numbers in 2026 make the “back from the dead” question almost quaint: YouTube reported around 1 billion monthly podcast viewers, over half of Americans have watched a video podcast, and roughly 50% of shows now publish full video on YouTube — a jump of about 130% since 2022. YouTube has become the single most-used platform for podcast consumption in the US.

The platforms have followed the audience. Apple Podcasts added support for video episodes by early 2026, Spotify keeps expanding its video tools, and Netflix struck a deal with Spotify to bring select video podcasts to Netflix. Every major platform now treats video as a core part of podcasting, not a side experiment.

Why Are Video Podcasts So Popular?

Video adds a layer of connection that audio alone can’t. Seeing a host’s expressions, reactions, and body language makes the conversation feel more personal, and viewers consistently report it as a richer, more engaging experience. Video viewers also multitask less, so they tend to pay closer attention — which advertisers value.

The bigger driver is discovery. YouTube is a search and recommendation engine with over a billion podcast viewers, and short video clips travel further on social media than audio ever could. A video episode isn’t just an episode; it’s a source of clips that pull new listeners back to your show.

One honest caveat: video hasn’t replaced audio. Only about 7% of podcast consumers watch video exclusively, while roughly 80% both watch and listen, switching to audio whenever video isn’t convenient. The takeaway isn’t “go video instead of audio” — it’s “do both.”

What Equipment Do You Need for a Video Podcast?

You don’t need a studio. A capable camera, a good microphone, decent lighting, and editing software cover the essentials.

For specifics, see our guides to the best cameras for podcasting, podcast lighting setups, and the full podcast equipment rundown. Don’t skimp on the mic: since the majority of your audience will still listen rather than watch, your audio quality matters more than your camera.

What Software Do You Use to Record a Video Podcast?

Your recording software depends on whether you’re going live, recording remote guests, or capturing locally. The main options:

I record my own video show on StreamYard‘s Advanced plan, and for video podcasting it’s hard to beat: it runs entirely in the browser, handles multiple on-screen guests cleanly, and can record and live-stream to YouTube and other destinations at the same time. If you’re choosing between StreamYard and OBS, our StreamYard vs OBS breakdown covers which fits which kind of creator, and the StreamYard pricing guide lays out the plans.

→ Record and stream your video podcast with StreamYard

If most of your guests are remote, a dedicated remote-recording platform will beat Zoom on quality — see the best remote recording platforms. For editing, our best podcast editing software guide covers options at every level.

Where Do You Host and Publish a Video Podcast?

Publish to YouTube and a video-capable podcast host so you cover both watchers and listeners. YouTube is where the discovery happens; your host pushes the audio (and increasingly video) feed to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and the rest. Not every host supports video, so pick one that does — our best video podcast platforms comparison covers which ones handle it well.

If you also want to stream your show live as you record it, our live podcast streaming guide walks through the setup.

How Do You Get the Most Out of Each Video Episode?

The real payoff of video is repurposing. One recording can become a full YouTube episode, a dozen vertical clips for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts, a blog post, and a newsletter — each one a new doorway back to your show. Since video clips outperform audio for social discovery, this is where video earns its keep.

Doing that by hand for every episode is hours of work, which is why most creators automate it. A tool like Castmagic takes one recording and generates clips, show notes, social posts, and a newsletter automatically, turning a single video episode into a week of content.

Should You Make a Video or Audio Podcast?

Both. The data is clear that around 80% of podcast consumers both watch and listen, choosing whichever fits the moment, so forcing a single format leaves audience on the table. Record video, publish it to YouTube and your host, and make sure the audio still stands on its own — because most of your audience will still consume it with their eyes closed, in the car or at the gym.

Practically: lead with video for discovery and engagement, keep audio quality high for reach, and lean on clips to feed both. That combination is why video podcasting is the strongest growth lever in the medium right now.

The Bottom Line on Video Podcasts

Video podcasts aren’t back from the dead — they’re the center of gravity in podcasting in 2026, led by YouTube’s billion-plus monthly viewers and platform-wide video support. You don’t need a studio, just a decent camera, a great mic, good light, and software like StreamYard to record. Publish both video and audio, repurpose every episode into clips, and you’ll be building on the format with the most momentum in the industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a video podcast?

A video podcast, or “vodcast,” is a podcast with a visual track so the audience can watch the hosts and guests, not just hear them. It keeps the recurring, conversation-driven format of an audio podcast and adds video, typically published on YouTube and Spotify alongside a standard audio feed.

Are video podcasts still popular in 2026?

Yes, more than ever. YouTube reported around 1 billion monthly podcast viewers, over half of Americans have watched a video podcast, and roughly 50% of shows now post full video — about 130% more than in 2022. YouTube is the most-used platform for podcast consumption in the US.

Do I need video to compete as a podcaster?

Increasingly, yes, at least for discovery. Shows without video are finding it harder to break into top rankings, and video clips drive most social discovery. That said, about 80% of consumers both watch and listen, so the goal is to add video, not abandon the audio that still reaches the largest share of your audience.

What equipment do I need to start a video podcast?

The essentials are an HD camera, a quality microphone, good lighting, and editing software. You don’t need a studio. Prioritize the microphone and lighting first: most of your audience will still listen rather than watch, and lighting is the cheapest upgrade to how professional your video looks.

What software is best for recording a video podcast?

StreamYard is the easiest all-in-one for browser-based recording and live streaming with on-screen guests. OBS Studio is the free, customizable choice for hands-on users, Zoom works for simple remote recording, and Adobe Premiere Pro or iMovie handle editing. The right pick depends on whether you record live, remotely, or locally.

Where should I publish my video podcast?

Publish to YouTube plus a video-capable podcast host. YouTube drives discovery and is now the top podcast platform, while your host distributes the feed to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other apps. Choose a host that supports video so watchers and audio-only listeners are both covered from a single workflow.

Is audio podcasting dead?

No. Audio remains how most people consume podcasts, since there’s far more time in the day to listen than to watch. Only about 7% of consumers watch video exclusively. Video expands reach and discovery, but your show should still work perfectly with the listener’s eyes closed.

Can I turn my video podcast into other content?

Yes, and you should. A single video episode can become vertical clips for TikTok, Reels, and Shorts, a blog post, show notes, and a newsletter. Clips in particular outperform audio for social discovery. Tools that automate repurposing turn one recording into a week’s worth of content across channels.

Do video podcasts make more money than audio?

They can, because video opens extra revenue and discovery channels: YouTube monetization, higher-attention viewers that advertisers value, and clips that grow your audience. Most successful shows stack audio and video revenue rather than choosing one, using video mainly to grow the audience every revenue stream depends on.

How do I start a video podcast?

Pick a clear niche and format, set up a camera, microphone, and lighting, and choose recording software like StreamYard or OBS. Record your episode, edit it, then publish to YouTube and a video-capable host. Finally, cut clips from each episode to drive discovery on social platforms.