-->
Save your FREE seat for Streaming Media Connect in February. Register Now!

Facebook Live API Change Has Some Creators Upgrading Their Tools

Article Featured Image

Live event producers might find themselves scrambling to make changes this week, as a long-announced permissions change from Facebook took effect. On April 24, Facebook's developer site announced the company would limit the use of its Live API to approved partners starting August 1.

That change impacted several live production tools, and at least one vendor scrambled to inform its customers. Yesterday, Telestream sent out a note explaining that Wirecast 8 or earlier could no longer publish to Facebook with the Live API, so users should upgrade to Wirecast 10.

Facebook has also announced plans to discontinue RTMP support in favor of encrypted RTMPS, Telestream explained to customers. Upgrading to the latest version of Wirecast would solve that issue, as well.

As long as event producers use Facebook-approved partner apps and hardware to manage the pages they stream to this change won't be a big problem, notes Corey Behnke, co-founder of production and broadcast company LiveX. This change was made in the interest of security, he believes: "The overall change was to limit other developers' and apps' ability to post as the user. Ultimately, I think that Facebook is trying to get better control over third-party app developers given the latest scandals that have happened. They hesitated to make this change because the ability for developers to be able to publish_actions as a user was so compelling."

Streaming Covers
Free
for qualified subscribers
Subscribe Now Current Issue Past Issues
Related Articles

The ABCs of APIs: Developers Are Migrating to API-Based Workflows

APIs make it easier to use best-of-breed tools that connect disparate software applications and platforms. They've also changed the way video developers create new products.

Behind the Scenes at Facebook Live: Architecting a Success

Facebook Live has changed the way publishers deliver live video. In this interview, learn about the tool's past, present, and future from two of the engineers responsible for creating it.

Facebook Acquires Vidpresso for its Interactive Technology

After Vidpresso's tech is integrated, small video creators will be able to use the same interactive video elements as major broadcasters do.

70% Stream Video Daily, 67% Have Streamed Live Video: IAB

A global study of live video streaming habits finds people use their phones for live video most often, but use connected TVs for long-form programming.

Facebook Launches Live Gaming Video Hub and Creator Resources

On FB.gg, gaming video creators can grow a fanbase and profit from virtual gifts, while fans can discover live and on-demand video based on their interests.

How to Live Stream to Multiple Destinations

Reaching multiple viewing platforms with a single live video stream used to be impossible, but not anymore. Here's how to do it with Switchboard Cloud.