Facebook Live's new Audio feature could revolutionise how we listen to radio and podcasts

Facebook Live is taking on podcasts and the traditional radio by introducing a new way to consume audio content directly from the news feed. The announcement comes close on the heels of Facebook opening up 360 degree Live video broadcasts  with select partners. Based on feedback and monitoring the use of the capabilities of Facebook Live, Facebook has announced the introduction of Live Audio. Some casters were working on audio content through the platform anyway, by casting audio streams with a still image used for the video component of the stream. Initially, only a few select partners will have the capability of using Facebook Live Audio. These are traditional radio content providers BBC and LBC, publishers HarperCollins, as well as two authors, Adam Grant and Brit Bennett. For traditional radio broadcasters, Facebook Live offers the potential to tap into new audiences on the social network. The feature is conservative on bandwidth, and allows users to go live from even areas with low connectivity.  Podcasts, interviews, book readings are some of the kind of experiences expected to be delivered over Live Audio. The interactive experience opens up new ways for broadcasters to reach out to their audiences. The audio content will be in the news feed, and users can share the posts, react to the content, or respond to the stream in real time, just like a Live video feed. There is expected to be a wider roll out, but no timeline has been given for when the feature will be available to everyone. Considering the way podcasts and radio are consumed, typically while doing other tasks and without paying attention to the screen, Facebook has built in the Live capabilities for audio in such a way that it works on Android even when the screen is locked, or using other apps. On iOS, users will have to keep the Facebook app open to continue listening, but can browse other parts of Facebook without interruptions. Video and image content tends to go a lot more viral than audio content. The closest thing to viral audio content in recent times was the  Serial podcast, a thorough look at the events that lead to the incarceration of Adnan Syed. ShoutCast has been a long time provider of internet radio services, integrating with third party web sites and products such as the WinAmp mp3 player. Apple gave a big boost to consuming audio content in an episodic format, with podcasts, where new episodes were downloaded automatically and older ones were deleted as soon as you listened to them. Rdio, acquired by Pandora are also major providers of programmed audio content.   SoundCloud is a democratic platform where anyone can upload audio content, and instantly share or embed the content. SoundCloud can also be used to host programmed content. 8tracks is site that allows for the creation and sharing of curated playlists. Many of the capabilities of all of these various web sites will be available on one platform, for a massive audience, if and when Facebook rolls out the Live Audio feature to everyone. The move is the latest in a series of efforts to get traditional broadcasters to use the social media platform for delivering their content. Facebook introduced a feature that allowed for two people live video broadcasts . Facebook added capabilities to schedule Live Video broadcasts, as well as introduced a pre-stream lobby . Facebook opened up the capabilities of Live Video to host interviews, panel discussions and other video content formats by allowing those who initiate broadcasts to invite their friends. Facebook also bid for exclusive digital rights for the IPL, a part of its efforts to transcend its role as just a social networking site .