SoundStack has launched HTTP Live Streaming, or HLS, for podcasting.
SoundStack is a technology and services company for podcast and digital audio businesses , as well as the parent of Live365. With HLS, it said, creators and publishers can provide a higher-quality listening experience for users.
“Unlike typical podcast delivery, which downloads content as one, large mp3 file, HLS breaks up a podcast into several small ‘media chunks,’ typically 2-10 seconds in length,” the tech services company said.
“This makes episode delivery faster and more seamless, reducing buffering and ‘stuttering,’ allowing publishers to create a better overall experience for audiences.”
It also enables more ad delivery options and the potential to measure engagement more accurately, SoundStack said.
The company said that because HLS streams files in small pieces, playback can start almost immediately, which helps mobile listeners.
Also, “HLS allows for a wider range of ad delivery options, like HLS interstitial (a more efficient way to insert ads), which can facilitate higher publisher revenue.”
It said HLS also enables more content options such as the LIT (live item tag) to bring live content to podcasts.
“HLS enables seamless audio to video transition (and back),” it continued. It also provides automatic bandwidth adjustment based on listener bandwidth and device capabilities.
And it said HLS will be able to provide a unified view of all “media chunks”/byte range requests for a complete picture of how much content was delivered, and which pieces each individual audience member received.
[Related: “Make the Move to HLS”]
