A video podcast is a modern format that combines the benefits of a video stream with classic podcasting. It allows you not only to listen to the audio track but also to watch the full video directly inside your favorite podcast app.
What are Video Podcasts via RSS?
Since video files are broadcasted via a standard RSS feed, you get complete freedom: background playback, screen-off listening on mobile devices, progress saving, and no intrusive video platform ads.
This is ideal for talk shows, interviews, lectures, and streams where visuals are sometimes important, but most of the time the device is in your pocket or has a locked screen.
Advantages of Video Podcasts over a regular video player
When watching videos on YouTube in a mobile browser or app without a paid subscription, you face limitations: the screen must always be on, the app cannot be minimized, and the battery drains rapidly.
A video podcast via RSS opens in dedicated podcast apps. They are natively designed for background operation: you can lock your phone and the sound keeps playing. If needed, unlock your phone to glance at the screen and see the video.
How to watch video podcasts on iPhone and Android
For iOS (iPhone, iPad) we recommend the standard **Apple Podcasts** app or **Pocket Casts**. Both apps fully support video in RSS, allowing you to minimize the player to picture-in-picture (PiP) mode or lock the screen.
For Android, **Pocket Casts**, **AntennaPod**, or **Podcast Addict** are excellent choices. These players provide flexible playback settings, video podcast support, and correct background execution.