Why YouTube Says Going Live Is The Next Big Move For Podcasters.

With more than 1 billion hours of YouTube watched on TV screens every day and video clips now outpacing audio snippets in podcast discovery, live video has become a growth imperative for podcasters. That was the message from YouTube podcast pros during an online podcast workshop Wednesday focused on how creators can use YouTube Live to build audience, drive engagement, and unlock new revenue streams.

The session offered a detailed roadmap for podcasters looking to capitalize on YouTube’s evolving tools — especially as recent research shows that many listeners now view audio and video as interchangeable formats, and platforms like YouTube continue to dominate podcast consumption across devices.

Monetization Takes Center Stage

For podcasters seeking to turn their shows into full-fledged businesses, YouTube Live offers a robust set of monetization tools — especially for horizontal (16:9) livestreams. Creators can activate pre-roll and mid-roll ads, accept Super Chats and Super Stickers, offer channel memberships (including gift memberships), and integrate live shopping features that allow products to be showcased and sold directly during broadcasts.

Stephanie Chan, Strategic Partner Manager for Podcasts at YouTube, emphasized that live video gives creators a unique edge. “Live streaming on YouTube can really transform your show from a one-way broadcast into an interactive community event,” she said.

Live Solutions Consultant Warren Reid added that creators can also automate ads through YouTube’s Live Control Room, allowing for conservative, balanced, or aggressive placements depending on viewer tolerance and content pacing. He urged creators to build natural breaks into their streams where ads can run cleanly without disrupting the viewer experience.

Monetization is more limited on vertical (9:16) livestreams, which are optimized for the mobile Shorts feed, but creators can still receive Super Chats, Stickers and use Jewels — a new feature allowing micro-donations across moments in the stream. Reid, a Live Solutions Consultant at YouTube, recommended podcasters consider ad automation tools within YouTube’s Live Control Room, allowing the platform to trigger ads conservatively, moderately or aggressively based on the creator’s preferences. Streamers also retain the ability to pause or delay ads in real-time — critical for content creators trying to maintain flow during live coverage.

“Planning ahead is the key,” Reid said. “Schedule your stream, promote it off-platform, and consider building natural ad breaks into your content to keep the viewer experience smooth.”

Strategy Over Spectacle

The session also made clear that successful livestreaming doesn’t depend on flashy production. Instead, Reid and Chan stressed the importance of planning and consistency. Creators were encouraged to test their gear and format in advance, create structured rundowns for their shows, and post customized thumbnails for both live and archived versions.

Chan noted that creators shouldn’t feel pressure to choose between live and edited video-on-demand. “You don’t have to do just live or just VOD. You can really combine it in a cadence that makes sense for you,” she said.

Chan also pointed to examples of podcast creators doing weekly or monthly livestreams in addition to their regular uploads, especially for Q&A sessions or special community check-ins. Reid advised podcasters to stream for at least 45 to 60 minutes to give their content time to reach audiences in the algorithm and to appear in YouTube’s “Watch Next” recommendations.

Live content is also less saturated than traditional uploads, giving new or niche podcasters a better chance to stand out. Reid noted that while creators should have a content plan, they shouldn’t overthink it. Whether hosting a live Q&A, covering breaking news or streaming commentary around current events, consistency is what builds audience growth.

Chan cited examples from YouTube’s podcasting community, including daily sports recaps and monthly audience Q&As. “You don’t have to choose between live and on-demand,” she said. “You can create a cadence that blends both.”

Technical Setup For Podcasters

For creators distributing shows through RSS feeds, livestreaming can be fully integrated into existing podcast workflows. Chan clarified that live content can — and should — be added to the same podcast playlist as other episodes.

“If you have a playlist where those RSS-ingested videos are going into, you would put your livestream or your premiere — whatever it is — into that playlist where it belongs,” she explained. This keeps the content organized and ensures livestreams show up as part of a show’s regular feed on YouTube.

Podcasters just starting out can go live using a webcam or phone, while more advanced creators can use encoder software like OBS or StreamYard for more complex visuals, overlays and scene switching. Importantly, creators should run private or unlisted test streams to check their setup before broadcasting publicly.

Passive Listeners Into Active Participants

Live streaming is more than just another publishing option — it can turn passive audiences into an active community. Reid emphasized the power of YouTube’s tools to transform a one-way podcast into an interactive experience.

“You don’t need a face on camera,” he added. “You can go live with just static visuals and audio. But the key is real-time interaction. If you’re not going to engage with the audience, you might as well upload.”

YouTube’s tools allow podcasters to set chat filters, appoint moderators, and even hold comments for review mid-stream. And with the average live stream seeing a spike in viewership within 24 hours of airing, keeping the archive online is essential — especially since the same URL used to promote a stream also becomes the video’s permanent archive location.

A Platform Designed For Discovery — And TV

The push to bring podcasts to live video comes as YouTube expands its presence in living rooms. YouTube introduced a dedicated “Podcasts” tab on its TV app in May, making it easier for users to discover and watch podcasts on smart TVs and streaming devices. This aligns with data showing that living room viewing is now YouTube’s fastest-growing segment, with more than a billion hours watched per day on TV screens.

For podcasters, that growth on large screens has implications. “If you’re thinking about your format, think about how it looks on a television,” Reid said. “A well-planned, horizontal live stream looks more natural in that environment.”

Why YouTube Live Matters Now

Recent industry studies support YouTube’s shift. New data shows that video clips — especially on social media — now outpace audio snippets in driving podcast discovery. For Gen Z audiences, video is already a default mode: over 90% say they see audio and video as interchangeable for podcast consumption.

“Shorts and highlight clips from your live stream can help grow the audience for the full show,” Reid said. “If you’re already producing video, repurpose it.”

YouTube’s livestreaming features now allow creators to cut highlights and clips directly from their archived content, turning a single broadcast into multiple social-ready assets.

As podcasting continues to evolve beyond audio, YouTube’s investment in live streaming, monetization tools, and TV-based podcast discovery signals a clear strategy that it wants to make YouTube where podcasts are found, watched and shared. For podcasters navigating a shifting landscape, YouTube Live presents a uniquely powerful opportunity — provided creators are ready to go live with a plan.

“If live streaming is something you want to do long-term, start investing the time now,” Reid advised. “The tools are there. It’s just a matter of showing up.”