Key Highlights:
- Substack launches a desktop Recording Studio for creators to pre-record videos.
- The tool supports solo recordings and conversations with up to two guests.
- Substack auto-generates clips and thumbnails after recording ends.
- The platform says creators using audio or video grow revenue 50% faster.
Substack has launched a new Recording Studio that allows creators to record and publish videos directly on the platform. The feature, available on desktop, lets creators produce solo videos or host conversations with guests without relying on external tools.
The update signals Substack’s growing focus on video as the company expands beyond newsletters. With built-in editing tools and automatic clip generation, the platform aims to simplify how creators produce multimedia content.
What is the new Substack Recording Studio?
The newly introduced Substack Recording Studio is a built-in tool that lets creators record videos inside the platform. Until now, creators typically needed several different apps to record, edit, and publish video content.
With the new studio, Substack combines those steps into one workflow.
Creators can now:
- Record solo videos directly on the platform
- Host conversations with up to two guests
- Share their screen with co-hosts
- Add custom watermarks to videos
- Automatically generate clips and thumbnails after recording
This approach removes the need for separate recording platforms or editing software. As a result, creators can move from recording to publishing much faster.
Substack explained the change in a blog post.
“Until now, creating video on Substack meant going live, or stitching together a separate stack of tools: a recording platform, a way to create and distribute clips, and something to design a thumbnail,” the company said.
“Substack Studio brings all of those tools into one place.”
Why is Substack investing more in video?
The Recording Studio launch reflects a broader shift in how Substack sees the creator economy.
Although Substack built its reputation as a newsletter platform, the company has steadily expanded into multimedia. Over the past few years, it has introduced features designed to support podcasts, livestreams, and video content.
Several signals point to this shift.
First, Substack began allowing creators to upload videos in 2022. Later, it introduced livestreaming and video monetization tools. The platform also launched a $20 million Creator Accelerator Fund to attract creators from other platforms.
Now, with the Recording Studio, Substack is making video production easier directly within its ecosystem.
This strategy positions Substack closer to creator platforms like Patreon, where multimedia content often drives subscriber growth.
What data suggests creators benefit from video?
Substack says creators who use audio or video tools on the platform tend to grow their revenue faster.
According to the company, creators who published audio or video within the past 90 days increased their revenue 50% faster than those who relied only on written newsletters.
That statistic highlights an important trend in the creator economy. Audiences increasingly expect creators to offer multiple content formats. Written newsletters still matter, but podcasts and video content can deepen engagement.
Therefore, simplifying video production could encourage more creators to experiment with multimedia formats.
How does Substack’s TV app fit into the strategy?
Substack’s video ambitions go beyond recording tools. The company is also expanding how audiences watch video content.
Recently, Substack launched a TV app for Apple TV and Google TV. The app allows viewers to watch video posts and livestreams directly on television screens.
One notable feature is a “For You” recommendation row that suggests content to viewers. The design resembles short-form video feeds seen on platforms like TikTok.
However, the viewing behavior on TVs differs from smartphones.
While mobile devices dominate short-form video consumption, longer videos increasingly move to larger screens. Substack appears to be positioning itself to benefit from that shift.
Are viewers watching more long-form content on TVs?
Industry trends suggest that living room devices are becoming a major destination for longer content. Streaming platforms have started adapting to this behavior.
For example, Netflix has increased investment in video podcasts designed for TV audiences. Meanwhile, YouTube has also reported strong growth in podcast viewing on televisions.
In 2025, viewers watched more than 700 million hours of podcasts each month on living-room devices, such as smart TVs. The year before, the figure was around 400 million hours per month.
The numbers suggest a rapid increase in TV-based podcast consumption. As a result, platforms that help creators produce video more easily could benefit from this growing demand.
What does the update mean for creators?
For creators already publishing on Substack, the Recording Studio could reduce production complexity.
Previously, many creators recorded videos on third-party tools before uploading them to the platform. That workflow often required additional editing software and thumbnail design tools.
Now, those steps happen inside Substack.
The built-in system may particularly benefit independent journalists, newsletter writers, and podcasters who want to experiment with video without investing in professional production tools.
At the same time, the feature could help Substack compete more directly with other creator platforms.
Many platforms already offer integrated video tools. By introducing its own studio, Substack reduces friction for creators who want to produce multimedia content in one place.
Conclusion: Substack’s platform is evolving beyond newsletters
The launch of the Recording Studio highlights how Substack is evolving from a newsletter service into a broader multimedia platform.
By combining recording, clip generation, and publishing tools, the platform simplifies video creation for creators. Meanwhile, its TV app and video monetization tools suggest a long-term push toward multimedia content.
As creators explore new formats to reach audiences, the latest update shows that Substack wants to play a larger role in the video-driven creator economy.
