# Create a Podcast Show

Launch a dedicated podcast show inside the AutoContent app, generate a platform-ready RSS feed, and keep episodes in sync across Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and every other directory.

## Before You Begin

* Add your API key under `Settings` so the Shows pages can authenticate requests.
* Record at least one finished episode (see [Create a Podcast Episode](/quick-start/podcasts/create-podcast-episode.md)) if you plan to populate the RSS feed immediately.
* Prepare square cover art (minimum 1400x1400 px, max 10 MB, JPG/PNG).

## Step 1: Open the Shows Dashboard

1. In the sidebar, go to `Podcasts → Shows`.
2. Click `Create Show` to open the dedicated creation form (`/podcasts/shows/create`).

The page splits into an editor on the left and a live list of your existing shows on the right so you can reuse details or confirm RSS links while you work.

## Step 2: Complete Show Details

Fill in the required metadata exactly as streaming directories expect:

| Field        | Required | Notes                                                        |
| ------------ | -------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Podcast Name | ✅        | Appears as the show title everywhere your RSS is submitted.  |
| Host         | ✅        | Credited host/author for platform listings.                  |
| Website Link | ✅        | Landing page for listeners; must be a valid URL.             |
| Owner Email  | ✅        | Used by Apple Podcasts and others for feed ownership checks. |
| Description  | ✅        | Long-form summary for directory previews.                    |

Tip: Hover the `ℹ️` icons next to the email and image labels for quick reminders of the publishing requirements directly in the app.

## Step 3: Add Cover Art

Choose how you want to supply the artwork:

* **Image URL** – Paste a public link to centrally hosted artwork. Ideal if design lives in a CMS.
* **Upload File** – Switch to the `Upload` tab and attach a local JPG/PNG under 10 MB. The app automatically switches to the multipart endpoint.

If the artwork fails validation (wrong MIME type, oversize), the form surfaces the exact issue so you can correct it before resubmitting.

## Step 4: Create the Show

Click `Create Podcast Show`. On success the UI flashes a confirmation banner and writes the new feed into the list on the right with its generated RSS URL. That URL is what you submit to external distributors.

Want to automate the same call? Toggle "Show API Request" above the submit button to reveal the exact payload. The underlying requests look like this:

```bash
# JSON payload with hosted artwork
curl -X POST "https://api.autocontentapi.com/podcast/shows" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "name": "My Podcast Show",
    "description": "A weekly breakdown of the most interesting tech stories.",
    "author": "Alex Rivera",
    "link": "https://example.com/podcast",
    "email": "podcast@example.com",
    "imageUrl": "https://cdn.example.com/podcast/artwork-1400.jpg"
  }'
```

```bash
# Multipart upload when you provide a local file
curl -X POST "https://api.autocontentapi.com/podcast/shows/with-image" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY" \
  -F "name=My Podcast Show" \
  -F "description=A weekly breakdown of the most interesting tech stories." \
  -F "author=Alex Rivera" \
  -F "link=https://example.com/podcast" \
  -F "email=podcast@example.com" \
  -F "imageFile=@/path/to/cover.jpg"
```

The API responds with:

```json
{
  "success": true,
  "rssUrl": "https://rss.autocontentapi.com/podcast/abcd1234.xml"
}
```

## Step 5: Manage Shows and Distribution

Return to `Podcasts → Shows` any time to:

* Copy the RSS feed (`Copy RSS` action) for instant submission to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, etc.
* Jump to the public site via the `Website` shortcut if you stored a landing page.
* Download a CSV of attached episodes for reporting.
* Delete a show (requires confirmation) or import an external RSS feed when migrating from another host.
* Filter the episode board by clicking a show card—the app opens `Podcasts → Episodes` scoped to that show.

## Step 6: Publish Episodes into the Show

When you generate or edit an episode (`Podcasts → Episodes → New Episode`), use the `Podcast Show` dropdown to attach the request ID to the show you just created. Once the episode finishes, the RSS feed updates automatically and syndicates everywhere you submitted it.

Need a refresher on episode creation? Follow [Create a Podcast Episode](/quick-start/podcasts/create-podcast-episode.md). Scheduling a release or tweaking voices is covered under [Podcast Scenario Examples](/quick-start/podcasts/podcast-examples.md).

## Related Endpoints

* `GET /podcast/shows` – List all shows with IDs, metadata, and RSS URLs.
* `POST /podcast/shows` – Create with a hosted image.
* `POST /podcast/shows/with-image` – Create while uploading artwork.
* `POST /podcast/remove` – Delete a show by ID.
* `POST /podcast/import-rss` – Import an existing feed into the dashboard.

## What's Next?

* Attach fresh audio by following [Create a Podcast Episode](/quick-start/podcasts/create-podcast-episode.md).
* Schedule future drops with the [Scheduler](/quick-start/podcasts/set-duration.md).
* Connect deep research outputs by learning how to [Start Deep Research](/quick-start/deep-researches/start-deep-research.md).


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.autocontentapi.com/quick-start/podcasts/create-podcast-show.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.