Facebook is now switching on live video streaming for its US-based users on iPhones, a move that could dramatically change things for Meerkat, Periscope, and other live-streaming upstarts. The Facebook post stated, “During your broadcast, you’ll see the number of live viewers, the names of friends who are tuning in, and a real-time stream of comments.”
The tech giant also said that “over time, the company plans to bring it to all users,” but it didn’t give specific timescales.
The features are very similar to that of Meerkat and Twitter’s Periscope, and an obvious attempt to keep live-streaming users on the Facebook platform. But Facebook has the upper hand with additional features that the other live-streaming pioneers lack: on Facebook, users can save videos to their timeline, and those videos can stay there unless users choose to delete them. This certainly sets Facebook apart, and the social media platform is currently reporting eight billion views every single day.
Besides keeping Facebook at the forefront of the social media game, the launch is one more step towards turning Facebook into a more video-centric platform. And, another way to cash in on video advertising.
Will you be able to approve/disapprove who adds themselves to your viewing base. Ex: problem now w/periscope the sex industry is attempting to infest/infiltrate your list/ and your followers/ they are even sneaky creating fake profiles and as soon as you block, more come in, and your followers followers have to be checked. How do we beat this?
Crush? Not likely. Just because FB has numbers doesn’t mean they have adoption through those numbers…especially since their demo skews older.
It won’t compete with Periscope, if it doesn’t have the GPS feature where you can select/view live streams all over the map. That’s the biggest differential between Periscope and Meerkat, imo.
At first i thought FB Streaming will compete with Periscope, i tried it a few times, but then figured, you can’t really build an audience by just streaming on FB (if that’s your goal ) – whereby on Periscope you absolutely can. Periscope makes it easy for people to invite their followers while you’re streaming, i don’t know how this would even be possible through FB – i mean they could theoretically post your stream in their status, but who’s going to see that ? FB streaming also has a long way to go with their design, but will eventually catch up on that front – as of today, when sending a FB live streaming comment – it takes 20sec for the broadcaster to actually see it. But we keep observing and wish FB streaming the best, there’s certainly potential, but i think there will be a complete different dynamic than on Periscope. After all, when on Periscope, people want just that LIVE Streaming experience, on FB – they might be in for something else. Want more food for thought ? Follow my daily Periscope streams from Hollywood @alwalser
Hey! Yeah, you…uninformed idiot who wrote an article on something he knows nothing about: ever hear of YouNow? You know, the HUGE live streaming app that has all the features you mention in your article, along with millions of teenagers who use it every day? Maybe you should do your research. Who the hell is using Meerkat anyway??
Seriously, if you’re gonna write an article, try to know something about the subject first.
I disagree that facebook is a competitor to Periscope and Meerkat. Your facebook following is personal. its close friends and people will share live video that is personal on facebook. However, periscope followings are more anonymous, like Twitter followings. People will continue to mostly stream video on more anonymous networks because many feel it would be embarrassing or inappropriate to share on facebook. yes some celebrities will prefer facebook but that is only a small portion of what Periscope and Meerkat are all about.