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The Future of Podcasting


Jan 24, 2024

In this episode, hosts Daniel J. Lewis and Dave Jackson explore the concept of "live item tagging" and its potential to revolutionize podcasting. Join them as they discuss the technical intricacies of incorporating live streaming into podcast episodes, the future integration of live experiences into podcast apps, and the implications of the "live item tag" for both podcasters and listeners.

Your Hosts

Find Dave at schoolofpodcasting.com

Find Daniel at theaudacitytopodcast.com

 

Mentioned In This Episode

The Audacity to Podcast

School of Podcasting

Radiolize

Code For Live Item

Alby

 

Why is it called the Live Item? 
The term "Live Item Tag" in the podcasting world, also known as "lit," represents an innovation that aims to integrate the live experience from platforms like YouTube into podcast apps. This feature allows listeners to seamlessly tap and jump to listen or watch live content while a podcast is being recorded, effectively bringing the live experience directly to the podcast app.

What It Does
The Live Item Tag replaces the traditional "item" tag in an RSS feed and utilizes attributes such as "pending," "live," or "ended" to notify podcast apps of the live status of an episode. Essentially, it bridges the gap between live streaming platforms and podcast apps, enabling a smoother and more integrated experience for both podcasters and listeners.

Status Options
When using the Live Item Tag, podcasters can update the status of their episodes as "pending," "live," or "ended," providing real-time information to listeners about the live status of a particular episode. This functionality enhances engagement and allows for a more dynamic and interactive podcast experience within the app.

Do We Need To Worry About This?
Considering the future progression of podcasting technology, integrating live streaming experiences into podcast apps seems to be a natural evolution. While the current implementation may have its complexities, future tools and platforms are expected to simplify the process, making it more accessible to podcasters.

Coding 2.0 In Libsyn 4
You can add code in Libsyn Four. If you don't know what you're doing, we do not recommend this. 

Show or Episode Level
The use of the Live Item Tag can be implemented at both the show and episode levels, providing flexibility for podcasters to enhance their content with live streaming. This granularity enables precise control over which episodes are presented as live, offering a tailored approach to audience engagement.

What Apps Support This?
Several podcast apps, including True Fans, Podverse, and Podcast Guru, are embracing the Live Item Tag feature, acknowledging its potential to transform the podcast listening experience. This reflects a growing interest and demand for integrating live streaming functionalities within podcast platforms. See www.modernpodcastapps.com

Streaming Radio Radiolize
The mention of streaming radio, particularly its popularity in Europe and the use of online tools for online DJing, showcases the broader landscape of live audio experiences. This acknowledgment underscores the potential for integrating diverse live content into podcasts, catering to varied listener preferences and interests. See Radiolize.com

Content Link
The addition of the "podcast:content link" tag further expands the possibilities for linking live content, such as streaming URLs from platforms that provide those links (Mixlr? Radiolize?). This tag acts as a fallback for non-podcast app streaming, diversifying the avenues through which listeners can access live experiences.

The Tricky Part?
While the Live Item Tag presents a forward-looking solution, its implementation may require careful consideration and technical acumen, especially when dealing with platforms that have yet to fully adopt this technology. However, as the podcasting ecosystem evolves, the tools and processes surrounding the Live Item Tag are expected to become more user-friendly.

I Think I Understand It Now
Understanding the Live Item Tag involves recognizing its role in seamlessly blending live streaming experiences with traditional podcast episodes within podcast apps. This realization positions podcasters and content creators to deliver more engaging and dynamic content, catering to the evolving preferences of listeners.

Still Pretty Cutting Edge at This Time
It's important to acknowledge that the Live Item Tag is currently at the cutting edge of podcasting technology. Its emerging status highlights the ongoing evolution and exploration of new avenues for enhancing the podcasting experience, as well as the potential for further advancements in this space.

You Can Have More Than One
The flexibility to incorporate multiple content links with different text descriptions or purposes accentuates the versatility of the Live Item Tag. This capability enables podcasters to curate and present diverse live-streaming experiences, catering to their specific content and audience engagement strategies.

Alby is Invite Only For Now
The mention of Alby, an invite-only platform, underlines the exclusive and progressive nature of the Live Item Tag landscape. This exclusivity hints at the exploration and experimental nature of this feature, as well as its potential to shape the future podcasting ecosystem.

BOOSTS!
The concept of receiving "streams" and "boostagrams" from listeners highlights the reciprocal and interactive nature of podcasting, indicating a community-driven approach to content creation. This interactivity aligns with the essence of the Live Item Tag, which seeks to foster real-time engagement and connections between podcasters and their audience.
In conclusion, the Live Item Tag represents a significant advancement in the integration of live streaming experiences within podcast apps. While it currently stands at the forefront of podcasting technology, its potential to reshape the podcasting landscape and elevate audience engagement is evident. As this innovative feature continues to evolve, podcasters and content creators can anticipate a more seamlessly integrated live podcasting experience, redefining the future of podcasting.