Apple TV 4K users preparing to install tvOS 27 later this month should brace for a change: the revamped Podcasts app will no longer accept custom-URL feeds. What exactly are users losing, and what stays the same?
What’s changing in tvOS 27
In tvOS 27, Apple is rolling out a redesigned Podcasts app for Apple TV 4K that adds support for HLS-based video podcasts, mirroring similar updates across iOS 26.4 (iPhone/iPad) and macOS 27. That means video shows delivered via HTTP Live Streaming will now display and stream directly in the Podcasts app on the Apple TV 4K. However, shows added via custom URLs—often used for paid memberships, special feeds, or niche podcast distribution—will stop working on tvOS 27. That feature is still intact on Apple’s other platforms: iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple Vision Pro, and Mac.
Which devices are affected
The removal of custom-URL podcast support applies only to the second- and third-generation Apple TV 4K models compatible with tvOS 27; older Apple TV 4K units remain stuck on tvOS 26, where the feature is still enabled. Users of non-compatible devices won’t see the change simply because they can’t update past tvOS 26 under current system restrictions.
While the move seems like a regression for some creators and avid podcast fans who rely on custom feeds, it could be a temporary omission. It’s possible Apple intends to restore support later in a subsequent tvOS 27 update, or perhaps in tvOS 28. Still, at launch, tvOS 27 leaves a gap in functionality for users depending on non-standard podcast sources.
Why this matters: custom podcast feeds often serve niche audiences—such as premium or Patreon-style content, early access shows, or specialty segments—that don’t go through the standard public directory. Removing support on the Apple TV 4K limits access unless users switch to another device where the feature remains active.
When tvOS 27 releases (later this month), HLS video podcast streaming will be a major highlight, but custom URL feeds from third-party or membership-based shows will no longer function on Apple TV 4K. For most users, the shift might fly under the radar, but for those who leveraged these custom feeds, it’s a significant downgrade.
This change reflects Apple balancing streamlined user experience against flexibility. Whether custom feed support returns may depend on feedback. Users relying on this feature should consider accessing those podcasts via iPhone, iPad, Mac, watchOS, or Vision Pro in the meantime—and watch for future updates that may restore what’s been removed.
