Whether it's Snapchat or PewDiePie – the internet is always spewing out hype-shrouded phenomena, often understood exclusively by Gen Z. The latest is Periscope; one in a slew of apps that let users film live-streamed video from their smartphones. Do we really want to watch someone film a video selfie?

From televised musical spectaculars to streams of explosions on Periscope, live news and entertainment is available in more varied and accessible forms than ever. But in a multi-channel, multiplatform universe, how do you go about finding an audience for what’s happening right now?

What if your smartphone could be used to broadcast live events to millions? Meerkat is a live streaming social video app that lets people use their smartphones to broadcast anything from a catwalk to a football match – and it's seeing viral growth since it was unveiled at 2015’s SXSW conference.

In China, people are using their smartphones to stream themselves doing anything and everything – from cooking and eating dinner to singing karaoke. The craze is fuelling a new wave of online celebrity – and even movie stars are jumping on the bandwagon.