Substack tested last year, allowing Substack Bestsellers (the company's core users) to stream videos, interact with live audiences, and even collaborate with other bestsellers. Now this function open to every Substack publisher who wants to go public. The only basic requirement other than having an account is that you have at least 10 free subscribers.
Publishers who go live can read comments as they come in, just like on Twitch. They can also collaborate with other publishers by asking them to call. Currently, Substack only supports up to three people per call.
Once the broadcast is complete, you'll receive a copy of the VOD, as well as some AI-generated notes. The VOD can be published as a separate post so that readers and fans who missed out can watch the broadcast at their convenience. VOD videos are made public by default when they are published as a post, but they can also be used behind a paywall. Substack's AI can generate clips you can share to entice viewers to watch your main VOD if you're interested in promoting your content elsewhere.
Substack says its best sellers are happy with the feature, which allows them to engage with their readers and viewers better than before. The full impact of live video on Substack is still up in the air until other publishers try it out. Considering how many live video streaming options there are these days, it's far from certain that it will catch on here.