Facebook introduces Live Audio, takes on podcasts and the radio

Facebook has been steadily building its Live Video feature but it seems that isn’t the only thing the social network is building in the live broadcasting space. This time, it’s taking on the podcast and radio markets with Live Audio. Facebook launched the feature with a small group of publishers with plans to open up the service to everyone by 2017. Just like Live Video, the service will bring these Live Audio streams into the News Feed. Right now Facebook launched with BBC World Service, book publisher Harper Collins, talk radio broadcaster Leading Britain’s Conversation, and authors Adam Grant and Britt Bennett.

The social giant claims this’ll be a good way for low-connectivity areas to broadcast data-efficient media. And if, for example, signal gets low, hosts can switch to audio for a seamless stream. Facebook sees these working particularly well for a semi-professional stage setup for things such as book readings and interviews with Live service viewer interaction included. If you listen on Android, you’ll be able to use other apps while the audio streams in the background. For iOS, you need to keep the Facebook app open.

Source: Engadget