Periscope’s New ‘Producer’ Tool Enables Higher-Quality Broadcasts From External Cameras

In a bid to imbue the rather rough-hewn livestreaming medium with a more polished sheen, Twitter announced today that is launching a new product called Periscope Producer that will enable broadcasters to stream high-quality live video using external, professional-grade cameras and streaming software. Periscope Producer is also compatible with the Xbox One, VR headsets, and computer webcams, according to VentureBeat. Users can toggle their external devices to Periscope using advanced settings in the iOS app, and streamers will also be able to impose graphics and other effects on top of their content for a more highly produced effect.

Periscope Producer is currently available to select brands, media organizations, and other live creators, and Twitter says it requires “minimal setup” and gives streamers the advantage of tapping Periscope and Twitter’s huge social reach. Prospective Producer users can apply to gain access at t.co/periscopeproducer.

“Allowing people to create and share produced live video on Periscope has always been part of our vision and opens up new types of content for everyone to watch live,” said Periscope CEO Kayvon Beykpour

in a statement. “Periscope allows anyone to watch something with an audience, and now they’re able to watch daily shows, large and small-scale events, and other live video with compelling content from creators they know and love. High-quality, produced live video can now be shared anywhere through a Tweet.”

Launch partners who have already been piloting the feature for six weeks — and who have seen increased engagement, according to Twitter — include ABC‘s Dancing With The Stars, CBS 12, Estadao, Fusion, Louis Vuitton, The News & Documentary Emmy Awards, The Ringer, Walt Disney Studios, and XBox UK.

In addition to mobile phones, Periscope streams can also be broadcast from select GoPro devices and DJI drones. Periscope Producer follows the launch of the streaming company’s VIP Program, announced last month — a benefits initiative aimed at giving top broadcasters opportunities and tools to help grow their audiences.