Twitter to offer ads on Periscope video

LOS ANGELES — Twitter is bringing the ability to insert pre-roll ads into live videos produced on its Periscope app, but only for select partners.

Facebook recently made this offering for anyone who broadcasts live on the platform, with steep hurdles—the video has to have at least 300 viewers, and the broadcaster needs at least 2,000 followers.

Twitter doesn't have any such minimums, but then it's not opening the platform to the folks who use Periscope to broadcast from live events, or the many DIY talk-show hosts who live stream call-in political and sports programs.

Twitter declined to give a timeline for when it would open the platform beyond the big brands.

"When consumers scroll through their timelines or search for content from specific publishers or creators, Periscope videos — live and replay — can start with a short ad," Mike Folgner, a Periscope product manager, said, in a blog post.

The ads will appear on Twitter. To participate, if you're a big brand that already advertises with the network, the company suggested contacting your Twitter ad rep to sign up.