Audio-only Live Stream

In this topic, you will learn how to create audio-only live streams.

Introduction

Audio-only live streams allow you to tap into the sizeable audio entertainment ecosystem, including podcasts and radio. With Brightcove, you can ingest and live stream audio-specific content without a video component. Brightcove's player technology has been optimized for audio to mobile, web, and connected home devices. You will even get relevant analytics for audio-only playback.

Requirements

This feature is a paid add-on for your account. Contact your Customer Success Manager to enable audio-only live streams.

Creating and Streaming Audio-Only Channels

  1. In Studio, open the Live module.
  2. Click New Channel. You will see two options: Event Channel and Linear Channel.
    • Event Channels – Best for one-time or recurring live channels of shorter duration (e.g., concerts, webinars, product launches).
    • Linear Channels – Designed for 24/7 continuous streaming (e.g., radio, always-on programming).
  3. Select Event Channel and click Next.
  4. Enter an Event Channel Name for your live stream channel.
    Create Audio only event
  5. Enable the Create an audio only event toggle. Notice the Renditions Profile is automatically set to Audio Only and grayed out.
    Audio only event with grayed out renditions profile
  6. Select your Region. To reduce latency, select the region closest to where your encoder is located.
  7. Choose either SRT or RTMP as the Input Transport Protocol.
  8. (Optional) Enable Convert media asset from Live to VOD when complete if you'd like the audio saved as on-demand after the channel ends.
  9. Click Next to proceed through the remaining steps, then click Create.

Configure your encoder

Use the encoder of your choice to stream your audio-only channel.

To stream your Live channel, follow these steps:

  1. In Studio, return to the Control Room for your audio stream.

    Live control room
  2. Copy the following:
    • Stream Endpoint (SRT/RTMP URL)
    • Stream Name
  3. Paste the values above into the settings for your encoder and start streaming.

    For OBS step-by-step usage example, see the Using the Live Module with OBS document.

    FFmpeg Command (SRT)
    ffmpeg -re -i input.mp3 -vn -acodec aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100 -ac 2 -f mpegts "srt://<account-id>.ingest.live.brightcove.com:5000?mode=caller"

    FFmpeg Command (RTMP)
    ffmpeg -re -i input.mp3 -vn -acodec aac -b:a 128k -ar 44100 -ac 2 -f flv "rtmp://<account-id>.ingest.live.brightcove.com:1935/<account-id>/<channel-id>"

    This pushes your MP3 file into Brightcove as an audio-only SRT stream.

Publish the live channel

To publish a live stream, follow these steps:

  1. In Studio, return to the Live module.
  2. Select Embed on Web in the right corner.
  3. In the Player section, select your player.

  4. Copy the embed code, and paste it into your HTML page.

    Player embed code
  5. Confirm playback in your web page.