Substack Launches Livestreaming for All Publishers

Substack Launches Livestreaming for All Publishers

Following initial trials in the autumn, Substack has officially announced the widespread availability of its livestreaming functionality to all publishers on Tuesday. This new capability empowers content creators to interact directly with their audience and foster collaborations with fellow publishers.

Expanding Beyond Newsletters

The integration of livestreaming demonstrates Substack’s alignment with popular platforms such as Instagram and TikTok. Considering the potential prohibition of TikTok within the United States, this feature arrives at a particularly opportune time, offering creators an alternative avenue for audience engagement.

Accessing the Live Video Feature

A minimum of 10 free subscribers is required within the application to access the live video functionality. Initiating a live broadcast is straightforward; users simply click the orange plus button on the homepage and choose the “Live” option.

After providing a title for the upcoming stream, creators can extend invitations to guests or immediately commence broadcasting by selecting the “Go live” button.

Post-Broadcast Functionality and AI Tools

Upon completion of the livestream, publishers are provided with a full recording of the session. This recording can then be published as a post on Notes, ensuring that subscribers who were unable to attend live can still access the content.

Furthermore, Substack provides AI-generated clips specifically designed for sharing across various social media platforms.

Evolution of Substack’s Features

While initially recognized as a platform dedicated to newsletters, Substack has progressively broadened its scope in recent years. This expansion includes the incorporation of video support across multiple products.

The initial phase involved enabling publishers to upload or record videos directly within their posts, subsequently extending to include video compatibility for both Chat and Notes.

Initial Testing and Rollout

The platform commenced experimentation with live video in September, initially granting access to its top-performing creators – those with over 100 paying subscribers.

This phased approach allowed Substack to gather feedback and refine the feature before its broader release.