6 chapters across the catalog
The conversation covers the shift toward video podcasting, using Megyn Kelly's YouTube strategy as an example. Adam Curry predicts that Elon Musk's "X Money" initiative will eventually challenge YouTube's dominance by offering better monetization for video creators on the X platform.
The hosts debate whether Apple will adopt the AMP group's proposed metrics, with Dave Jones suggesting Apple rarely adopts outside specs unless they align with internal goals. They reference Apple's history with HLS video and the Podcasting 2.0 tags as examples of how the company manages its ecosystem.
The discussion shifts to HTTP signing and the identification of download agents, specifically regarding HLS video. The hosts discuss how HLS video is being abused by scrapers, leading to expensive bandwidth bills for hosting companies like Buzzsprout, and the need for stronger client identification.
The group discusses "tar pitting"—slowing down requests to human scale—as an alternative to outright blocking. Spurlock advocates for open access to media without discrimination, suggesting that hosting companies should innovate in how they serve media rather than restricting access.
Mike Dell explains that Blueberry is developing support for Apple HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) to meet customer demand for video podcasting. He notes that video metrics will likely remain similar to audio, relying on server log files for measurement. The hosts argue that the push for video is primarily driven by a desire to tap into YouTube's advertising revenue rather than improving the medium itself.
Hosting companies like Buzzsprout are concerned about the financial impact of bandwidth abuse from bots downloading HLS video streams. A proposed solution involves using HTTP signatures and public keys, similar to the Mastodon ActivityPub protocol, to authenticate legitimate human users and apps before allowing video downloads.
