As the title suggests, the update introduces audio-only streams to the social network. Over the next few weeks, the feature will be tested with select partners (including BBC World Service, LBC, Harper Collins, and authors Adam Grant and Brit Bennet). The lineup gives you an idea of the kind of content you can expect to find on Live Audio — news, current affairs, and cultural discussions will make up the breadth of topics on the service at launch. Two of the broadcasters — BBC World Service and LBC — are popular radio stations, which is another indication of the type of publishers Facebook is targeting.
Facebook promises to roll out the feature to general users early next year, essentially allowing anyone to set up their own radio station on the platform, with access to a potential audience of 1.75 billion people. Chances are, Live Audio will prove a big draw for podcasters, which inevitably means it will be cause for concern for other audio-hosting sites, such as SoundCloud and iTunes.
In its announcement, Facebook touts the interactivity and engagement offered by the feature. In the vein of Live Video,
Additionally, the platform is updating its mobile apps with new audio-centric features, including the ability to listen to Live Audio outside of the Facebook app for Android, and even from a device’s lock screen. Meanwhile, iOS listeners will be able to continue to listen to audio broadcasts while they browse
“As we continue to improve the Facebook Live experience,”
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