Live Streaming of a Podcast via the Live Item Tag (LIT)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• What is the Live Item Tag?
• How to Start a Live Session?
• How to Listen to a Live Session?
• How to End a Live Session?
• Pro tip: Combining Live Item with Value 4 Value

At RSS.com, we strive to innovate and provide our podcasters with tools that enhance their podcasting experience and monetization potential. The Live Item tag, part of the Podcasting 2.0 initiative, allows podcasters to stream audio and video podcast episodes live. This feature, combined with Value4Value (V4V) splits, enables real-time interaction with listeners through "boostagrams" (donations and messages). This integration makes live podcasting both engaging and rewarding for both podcasters and listeners.

This article explains how the Live Item tag works and how you can use it alongside Value4Value.

What is the Live Item Tag (LIT)?

The Live Item tag (LIT) is a feature of the Podcasting 2.0 namespace that enables podcasters to designate specific episodes as live broadcasts within their podcast feed. This tag signals to supporting podcast apps and listeners that an episode is currently being streamed live, allowing for real-time audience engagement.

How to Start a Live Session?

Live podcast episodes via the Live Item Tag (LIT) are not enabled by default. To use this feature, you must first enable all the Podcasting 2.0 features in your podcast settings (see image below). See our article What is Podcasting 2.0? for more information.

How to enable all the Podcasting 2.0 features in the RSS.com Dashboard

Once you enable all the Podcasting 2.0 features, a new option called "Live Episode" will appear under the "New" button, which is typically used to create a new episode. Select "Live Episode" option to start setting up your live broadcast:

When creating a new episode, podcasters can choose between a standard podcast episode or scheduling a live broadcast.

By selecting "Live Episode," you'll be directed to a new page where you can schedule your live podcast episode.

On this page, you will need to provide the following details:

1. Title
2. Playback URL: Learn more about how this works if you're new to live episodes.
3. Start and End Date and Time: The exact times don't need to be precise. The episode will only start and end when you explicitly initiate and stop the live stream by clicking the "On Air" button.
4. Call to Action: Alternative text and a URL displayed by apps that don't support live streaming.

Settings required for scheduling live podcast episodes.

Once a new Podcast Live Episode has been scheduled, an orange, persistent button will appear on the left bottom corner:

Once a Live Episode is scheduled, the "Go On Air" button is displayed 

The "Go On Air" button allows for two key actions:

1. Go On Air: i.e. Clicking this generates a dynamic countdown, leading to the start of the live episode.
2. Edit: Clicking this directs the user to the settings page of your previously scheduled live episode.

Select "Go On Air" to start the countdown and commence your live session. Once the countdown completes, the button will update to indicate that you're now live, "On Air.". 

The red button indicates that your episode is currently being streamed live and that supporting podcast apps have been notified.

You're now live!

How Can Your Listeners Tune into a Live Episode?

By using supporting apps - such as Fountain, Podcast Guru, or Podverse, all of which are available for both Android and iOS, your audience can tune into your live episodes.

Once your episode is scheduled, it will appear on supporting apps as an upcoming live podcast episode. This allows listeners to express interest and opt-in to be notified when it goes live. The display of scheduled live episodes varies by app but is typically labeled as "upcoming" or "scheduled".

Below are examples from Podcast Guru and Fountain.fm showing how these labels might appear:

A scheduled live podcast episodes in Podcast Guru (left) and Fountain.fm (right)

Tip: We highly recommend scheduling your live episode in advance (e.g., 1 day before the live broadcast). This ensures your listeners are aware of it and increases the chances of it being discovered by new potential listeners.

Once you click on the "Go On Air" button in the RSS.com Dashboard and your live episodes start some apps will send push notifications to your listeners so they can tune in:

Example of mobile push notifications for a live podcast episode from Podverse and Podcast Guru (iOS)

Your live podcast episode will be then broadcasted to all the supporting apps:

Example of podcast live episode being broadcasted in different podcasting apps: Podverse (left), Fountain.fm (middle) and PodcastGuru (right). 

Video Podcast Live Episode: While most LIT-enabled podcast apps currently support only the audio track of your live episode, some also support video and display it in-app (as shown in the screenshot above with PodcastGuru). This means that Live Podcasting via RSS.com is also video-enabled by default for apps that support it.

How to End a Live Episode?

To end your live session, click on the "On Air" button. A confirmation dialog will appear, prompting you to confirm that you want to end the live broadcast:

End a live podcast episode by clicking on the On Air button

Pro tip: Combining Live Episodes (LIT) with Value 4 Value (V4V)

In the context of a live streaming of podcast episodes via LIT, V4V allows the audience to interact with the creators by sending real-time messages (also known as "boostagrams"), as well as donations in bitcoin via supporting apps. These donations can be sent on demand or streamed automatically for each minute of content played.

RSS.com supports both LIT and V4V, allowing podcasters to monetize live broadcasts through listener contributions. This integration enhances listener engagement and fosters growth while generating revenue.

Tips to Enhance Engagement via LIT and V4V:

• Enable Value 4 Value. Allow listeners to send you boostagram with messages and support you financially during live episodes.
• Promote Interactive Live Sessions: Engage with your audience in real-time.
• Acknowledge Contributions Live: Thank contributors during the broadcast to encourage more participation.

The combination of LIT and V4V empowers creators and fosters a deeper connection with fans.