On-air TV programming combined with social media channels – dubbed "Social participation TV" – is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. In this week's Futures Lab update, we explore three tools that bring the mobile-device-using audience into a live broadcast.

It’s never been easier to just hop on a live video stream and broadcast to the world from wherever you are. So now that anyone with a smartphone can do this, the question is which tool makes the most sense to use? In this episode, we compare three different live-streaming services: Facebook Live, Kanvas for Tumblr and Periscope. We also take a look at what YouTube has in development for going live.

This week we visit Mashable’s New York City headquarters to learn how the staff stays on top of the fast-moving social conversation. Managing Editor Jonathan Ellis and Deputy Managing Editor Amanda Wills say the key is a team-oriented culture combined with an ability to predict viral hits.