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Facebook Boosts Real-Time Media Portfolio with Live Audio
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Facebook is striving to expand its appeal to a wide range of broadcasters and publishers as a real-time media. The social media platform recently announced the launch of Live Audio that will help publishers and broadcasters to go live and reach audience with audio only.
Per Facebook media blog “From interviews to book readings, we’re excited about the layer of interactivity that Live Audio brings to both the broadcaster and listener. Just as with a live video on Facebook, listeners can discover live audio content in News Feed, ask questions and leave reactions in real time during the broadcast, and easily share with their friends.”
Moreover, Live Audio provides a low-bandwidth real-time broadcasting option to publishers from areas (like Asia-Pacific region) where the internet connection is slow. The Live Audio service will be fully available in early 2017.
Alphabet’s (GOOGL - Free Report) Android users will be able to continue to listen to the live audio broadcast even if they leave the Facebook app or lock their phones. Apple’s (AAPL - Free Report) iOS users cannot leave the Facebook app but they can browse other parts while listening.
Facebook stated that it will be testing Live Audio with several partners including BBC World Service (news radio), LBC (Leading Britain’s Conversation talk radio), Harper Collins (book publisher), and authors Adam Grant (Originals, pop psychology) and Britt Bennett (fiction addressing race).
New Features Key Catalyst
The new Live Audio service reflects Facebook’s focus on expanding its real-time content offering as competition intensifies from the likes of Twitter . On Dec 13, the company introduced Live 360 service on Facebook with National Geographic, live from the Mars Desert Research Station facility in Utah. This service is also in beta and is anticipated to be fully available in 2017.
Moreover, Facebook’s Virtual Reality (VR) division Oculus recently launched “Rooms” for the Gear VR mobile headset, with Rift support anticipated to come in 2017. Rooms is decked out like a futuristic living room, where a user can meet up with friends in a private VR hangout space. Per TechCrunch, Facebook is also launching “Parties” audio calls for coordinating meetups while a user is busy doing something else in VR.
Positive Stock Price Movement
We note that Facebook has outperformed the Zacks Internet Services industry on a year-to-date basis. The stock’s return of 13.79% is well ahead of the industry’s gain of 3.52%. The outperformance can be attributed to the company’s continuous endeavor to improve user engagement through the launch of new products for Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook Live.
Moreover, current year earnings estimate has increased 2.4% to $3.38 per share, which reflects a massive 127.2% year-over-year growth. We believe that Facebook’s expanding user base will drive estimates upside further going ahead.
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Facebook Boosts Real-Time Media Portfolio with Live Audio
Facebook is striving to expand its appeal to a wide range of broadcasters and publishers as a real-time media. The social media platform recently announced the launch of Live Audio that will help publishers and broadcasters to go live and reach audience with audio only.
Per Facebook media blog “From interviews to book readings, we’re excited about the layer of interactivity that Live Audio brings to both the broadcaster and listener. Just as with a live video on Facebook, listeners can discover live audio content in News Feed, ask questions and leave reactions in real time during the broadcast, and easily share with their friends.”
Moreover, Live Audio provides a low-bandwidth real-time broadcasting option to publishers from areas (like Asia-Pacific region) where the internet connection is slow. The Live Audio service will be fully available in early 2017.
Alphabet’s (GOOGL - Free Report) Android users will be able to continue to listen to the live audio broadcast even if they leave the Facebook app or lock their phones. Apple’s (AAPL - Free Report) iOS users cannot leave the Facebook app but they can browse other parts while listening.
Facebook stated that it will be testing Live Audio with several partners including BBC World Service (news radio), LBC (Leading Britain’s Conversation talk radio), Harper Collins (book publisher), and authors Adam Grant (Originals, pop psychology) and Britt Bennett (fiction addressing race).
New Features Key Catalyst
The new Live Audio service reflects Facebook’s focus on expanding its real-time content offering as competition intensifies from the likes of Twitter . On Dec 13, the company introduced Live 360 service on Facebook with National Geographic, live from the Mars Desert Research Station facility in Utah. This service is also in beta and is anticipated to be fully available in 2017.
Moreover, Facebook’s Virtual Reality (VR) division Oculus recently launched “Rooms” for the Gear VR mobile headset, with Rift support anticipated to come in 2017. Rooms is decked out like a futuristic living room, where a user can meet up with friends in a private VR hangout space. Per TechCrunch, Facebook is also launching “Parties” audio calls for coordinating meetups while a user is busy doing something else in VR.
Positive Stock Price Movement
We note that Facebook has outperformed the Zacks Internet Services industry on a year-to-date basis. The stock’s return of 13.79% is well ahead of the industry’s gain of 3.52%. The outperformance can be attributed to the company’s continuous endeavor to improve user engagement through the launch of new products for Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp and Facebook Live.
Moreover, current year earnings estimate has increased 2.4% to $3.38 per share, which reflects a massive 127.2% year-over-year growth. We believe that Facebook’s expanding user base will drive estimates upside further going ahead.
FACEBOOK INC-A Price and Consensus
FACEBOOK INC-A Price and Consensus | FACEBOOK INC-A Quote
Zacks Rank
Currently, Facebook carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 (Strong Buy) Rank stocks here.
Zacks’ Best Private Investment Ideas
In addition to the recommendations that are available to the public on our website, how would you like to follow all Zacks' private buys and sells in real time?
Our experts cover all kinds of trades… from value to momentum . . . from stocks under $10 to ETF and option moves . . . from stocks that corporate insiders are buying up to companies that are about to report positive earnings surprises. You can even look inside exclusive portfolios that are normally closed to new investors. Starting today, for the next month, you can have unrestricted access. Click here for Zacks' private trades >>