Substack launches live video feature for real-time engagement and exclusive content

Substack has introduced a live video feature allowing creators to broadcast directly to their subscribers from any location. This new capability aims to boost real-time engagement, making it suitable for delivering breaking news, behind-the-scenes content, exclusive events, and interactive AMAs. Subscribers receive instant notifications when creators go live, ensuring timely updates.

Creators can limit live video access to paid subscribers, providing an exclusive viewing experience. The platform also supports collaborative streams, enabling creators to invite others to join their broadcasts and potentially reach a broader audience. Currently, live streaming is available to bestsellers on iOS and Android apps, with plans to extend this feature to all users soon. Non-bestsellers can request early access via a provided link.

To initiate a live video, creators must open the Substack app, press the orange “+” button, select “Live video,” and grant camera and microphone access. They can set access levels to everyone, all subscribers, or paid subscribers only. iOS users can invite another creator to co-stream, while Android users can join collaborative streams if invited but cannot yet initiate invites. After the stream, recordings are saved as post drafts, and creators can use a clipping tool to share highlights on Notes and other social channels.