Following in the footsteps of Spotify, in February Apple announced that they would be adding video-streaming capabilities to the Apple Podcasts app which would allow users to switch between video and audio. Similarly to YouTube, the platform will allow for dynamically inserted ads, making it easier for creators to monetise their content.

It’s a move that is perhaps unsurprising in a video-first media landscape that is 2026. But how can you stand out in what’s arguably an already saturated market? 

We live in an era where the democratisation of these tools means that anyone with a mic and a camera can make a video podcast – reports suggest that Spotify currently hosts over 500,000, which is great for both user choice and creativity. But a focused approach is needed for long-term and wide-reaching success.

At Independent Studio, we're focused on talent-led IP and the tenet that you can't have one without the other. A brilliant presenter with a terrible idea that they don't believe in will flop, and an incredible format with a lacklustre host will do the same. If there's a little voice in the back of your head questioning whether either of them is working, you have to listen to it. 

With our recently launched podcast In The Room, we feel strongly that we have both a unique idea and impressive talent.

Helen MacNamara is the former deputy cabinet secretary, and Cleo Watson is the former special advisor to Theresa May and Boris Johnson. Together, they bring a unique perspective on the world of politics and power.

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