Substack adds live streaming capability for creators

In the digital content space, video is no longer just an option—it’s becoming the standard. Platforms across the board are pivoting to incorporate video capabilities, recognizing its unmatched power to engage audiences.

From Instagram’s evolution into a video-first platform to TikTok dominating the short-form video market, the shift is undeniable. Now, Substack, a platform originally built for text-based newsletters, is entering the fray with a bold new feature: live streaming.

Best known for enabling writers and journalists to publish newsletters and monetize them through subscriptions, Substack is adding real-time video as a way for creators to engage with audiences more directly and interactively.

After successfully testing the feature in September 2024 with bestselling creators – that is those with over 100 paying subscribers – the feature is now open to all Substack users with at least 10 free subscribers.

Substack podcasters can now stream their episodes on Spotify

The number of active podcasters on the platform more than doubled in 2023.

TechloyHenry Chikwem

How to host a live stream on Substack

To host a live stream:

• Creators can click the orange “plus” button on the homepage
• Select “Live,” add a title, and start broadcasting
• Creators can also invite guests to join, making it a powerful tool for collaboration.
• Once the live stream ends, creators receive a recording of the session, which can be shared as a post on Notes.

For additional reach, Substack offers AI-generated clips that can be shared on social media platforms, extending the content’s life and visibility.

Substack introduces ‘Notes’, a tweet-like feature for short posts

Newsletter platform Substack has announced a new feature called “Notes,” which allows users to publish small posts containing items like quotes, comments, images, and links. The feature will appear in a dedicated tab that offers separate feeds for content from users’ subscribed sources and their extended Substack network. Users can

TechloyAcquah Nana Yeboah

The timing of Substack’s video expansion is strategic. With over 20 million monthly active subscribers, the platform is already a hub for independent creators, and a live streaming feature can position it to compete in the video content market.

With ongoing conversations about a potential TikTok ban in the U.S., it also leaves a gap for platforms such as Substack now offering alternative video-based engagement tools.

By blending long-form written content with interactive video, Substack offers a unique value proposition for creators who want to diversify their offerings. It’s a move that acknowledges the growing demand for video content while staying true to the platform’s core mission.

TikTok faces a potential permanent ban in the US

ByteDance’s TikTok faces growing political pushback in the US, as Senator Marco Rubio team up with congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi and Mike Gallagher to introduce a new bipartisan legislation in the Senate and House of Representatives, formally calling for a ban on the app in the US, citing concerns for the

TechloyEmmanuel Oyedeji