Live streaming events are now popular as it manages to reach out to internet users throughout the world. This is because the rate of internet users these days is very high and it can be considered as one of the necessities. Live streaming services manage to attract viewers to watch a live broadcast event using the services provided. It is an effective way to deliver a message to the public and can also provide direct interaction between the person who is in the event and the viewers. Viewers can ask, comment, or discuss the ongoing live event. This is because live streaming has a chat feature that allows viewers to communicate. On the other hand, it can save the cost for the event by reducing the number of participants and just broadcasting the event to reach the public.
An introduction to the concept of live streaming services is explained. It is a news or event which is broadcast live through social media, and it can be an individual or group of people who are broadcasting a happening event live. Services in live streaming allow viewers to go through the event from the beginning to the end of video broadcasting. This can be proved by live sports that are broadcast live or concerts. Apart from that, viewers can pause, play, stop, or even skip a live broadcast. This can be demonstrated by a viewer who just started watching a live event but there are a few parts that the viewer missed, hence he can rewind the video broadcast before the event has ended. Viewers with live streaming services can watch the broadcast event using various types of media such as smartphones, Android TV, tablets, PCs, or laptops.
1.1. What are live streaming services?
Event live streaming services has basically one aim. That is, to provide an alternative of attending the event in person and to leave the viewer with a similar experience as if they attended the event live. We attempt to provide the streamed viewer with some or all of the video and audio from the event. This can be captured using a camera and microphone, then encoding this information and sending it to a media server such as Adobe Flash Media Server. The viewer will be provided with a URL of the media file which can be embedded into a web page which in turn can be accessed. Live video and audio can also be offered through free or pay webcast services such as justin.tv. Although live streaming an event can provide the streamed viewer with a similar experience as attending an event live, there could be a reduction in the quality of experience at times due to the streamed viewer not having the interactivity with the event. He/she does not have the capability to communicate with event presenters/performers and can at times feel isolated from the event. A method to work around this issue, that is currently being researched, is the use of 3D virtual environments such as Second Life to provide an interactive aspect to the actual event for the remote audience.
Event streaming is the broadcasting of an event to an online audience in real time. This can be applicable to many types of events such as concerts, live shows, live news and sports, and live talks or seminars. Using a streamed broadcast, the event can be relayed live or after the event has taken place. This is a popular method for events of which the audience is unable to attend due to funding, health, distance, or time. An example of this live streaming in the education sector is live talks or a conference call.
Live streaming: It is a live transmission of multimedia content across the internet from a single source to many simultaneous listeners/viewers, where only the data which is received is displayed. Live streaming can be done to different objects. One of them is event streaming.
1.2. Importance of live streaming for events
Top of form Bottom of form Events are your brand. It doesn’t matter whether you’re organizing a corporate event, music concert or product launch; what the audience sees is what the brand is worth. A live event is not just about capturing some videos and heading home. It’s about giving your audience an experience to cherish. A timely executed live stream can work wonders in boosting the event’s ROI. A one-day event can be amplified to a few weeks campaign, increasing the brand’s efficacy. Whether it’s a product launch, music concert or a sports event, live streaming can be used to deliver exclusive content to the viewers. Content that they cannot see in person. Live Q&A sessions, backstage interviews, or just the event highlights; live streaming makes it more interesting and is the best way to capitalize on the work put in by various teams. It’s a cost-effective high impact tool to engage the audience and it provides a whole new/emerging monetization route for the event. High on viewership and lower on cost to implement, it’s a no-brainer for trying to get the extra mileage from the event.
2. Top Live Stream Companies
Every company focusing on events is determined to avoid risk by selecting a service provider with a proven record of reliability. The primary reason event coordinators turn to live streaming companies is to ensure that the service is reliable and stable. Because of the importance of their event, it’s safe to assume that they do not want to take the chance of system failure. An unreliable streaming service can result in lost time and revenue from angry clients or viewers. Preliminary testing should always be done. An event is something that cannot be redone. Any special moments missed due to a faulty service will result in a bad reputation. It’s better to spend extra time and expense to test a thorough service than to risk it all. Whether it’s live streaming a government event where revenue is of no concern or a wedding where rates are low, a reliable service is what keeps users coming back.
2.1. Company A
The hard work and dedication that Company A puts behind the scenes leads to a high quality end product. They thrive on building close personal relationships with all of their clients to ensure that the live stream is tailored to the client’s specific needs and is exactly the way the client envisioned it. Built-in pre-event marketing is a key factor to get the most viewers possible to watch the live stream. Nowadays, using only social networks and word of mouth is not enough to publicize an event. In most cases when information is provided about an event live stream, it is often forgotten about. With Company A, a link and banner advertisement are created weeks in advance and placed at a visible location on the client’s website as well as Company A’s site to redirect viewers to the live stream page at the time of the event. Live streaming events has often proven to invoke more viewers to attend the next similar event that the client may host. This is because viewers realize how convenient it is to watch the event from home and due to the interaction with the live stream (i.e. live chat room), some viewers feel like they did not miss out anything other than the valuable experience of being there in person.
Company A has been live streaming events for nearly two decades. They have grown from a small team with a vision to one of the largest live streaming companies in the USA. One of the most attractive things about the services that Company A offers is the flexibility. No matter how big or small your event is, they have a way to make your event available live to your viewers. They live stream anything from music festivals to private family events. The live stream services are available worldwide at an incredibly low price for the quality of work that is provided. Live streaming events is a great way to broaden the audience and have the event available to people who are unable to attend due to travel costs, health reasons, work or any other factor preventing them from attending. The live stream is both PC and Mac compatible and also works on iPhone, iPad, Android and Blackberry devices. This is a great way to reach viewers because it is often difficult for people to find live streams that are compatible with these devices.
2.2. Company B
Company B is a full-service video production company, equipped with the latest video technology and a team of experienced professionals. While they are not an exclusive live streaming company, they do have the capabilities to fulfill such requirements. Unlike the majority of live stream companies, Company B has the ability to offer a multicam live production to then be streamed online or saved for later editing. This is an appealing quality for clients that are looking to also maintain a high-quality recording for archive or promotional purposes, while still having a webcast option. Company B has successfully provided their services for numerous large clients and events and is well supported by evidence of their quality work and customer satisfaction. They have the capacity to take on many different types of projects and can offer professional guidance during the planning stages right through to delivery of the final product. Though it is obvious that these guys know what they are doing, on the phone, the company president seemed quite out of the loop about live streaming services and their new age prevalence. The only thing that concerns me about a company like this is how they would price webcasting services, as it is essentially an add-on to their recording and production services. Depending on how they would want to package such a service, it may be quite pricey for a client that has relatively basic needs. Regardless, Company B does have the ability to fully deliver webcasting services for events.
2.3. Company C
Trial Ustream offers a free trial for certain plan types. Up to 30-day trials are offered on the Pro and Premium plans, no credit card required.
Price IBM Cloud Video offers a wide range of prices, making it a flexible option for those looking to host a smaller scale event to a large-scale enterprise event. There’s a value package starting at $99 a month and a custom-priced plan for larger events.
Features One of the most sophisticated live streaming companies, offering high flexibility in video production and platform alignment. Highly secured streaming with advanced privacy configuration, suitable for internal communication. Equipment options allowing users to use their own live encoder and high-end video camera. Video Analytics feature that provides crucial insight into customer interaction. White label service with custom branding removal available on Pro and Premium plans.
IBM Cloud Video (Ustream) IBM Cloud Video (termed as Ustream) is also a contender in the live streaming industry. Ustream was acquired by IBM a few years ago and has been rebranded as IBM Cloud Video. IBM Cloud Video is a professional broadcasting stream suitable for large events, marketing channels, or internal communication. IBM Cloud Video is one of the most sophisticated live streaming companies, offering solutions to a variety of fields including media, business, and enterprise. IBM Cloud Video is available in a wide range of prices, from free to custom-priced enterprise plans.
3. Benefits of Live Webcasting Services
Bettering communication inside of an organization is a given for businesses to grow and succeed. No organization would employ such services without some form of intention to enhance communications, which is where live streaming can provide a solution. Company staff meetings or international conferences can all be conducted live online with viewers either logging in or reviewing a recording of the event post-event. This is good for workers who miss the meeting due to scheduling conflicts or travel as well as those wanting to confirm the details of a meeting they attended. In terms of the meeting having a much broader, worldwide audience, a person outside of the country the event is hosted may not have the capability to attend due to financial or scheduling constraints. This person would still have the opportunity to participate in the meeting or event at a later time due to the fact we’ve taken it online. Step one to recognizing the benefits of live webcasting services is to realize the potential for higher productivity and image branding available through more video and rich media content. As more companies embrace this as a marketing tool to sell products or propose ideas, the audience will be more willing to participate in viewing these events in an effort to stay ahead or on top of their own business practices. The method of teaching or demonstrating using rich media will also be an activating point for these companies given that people usually want the easier, more effective way to learn or understand something. This, in turn, drives a higher demand for more video content or a live webcasting session.
3.1. Reach a wider audience
The most compelling factor for using live streaming services is the capability to reach a wider and larger target audience. In contrast to the traditional “one location” event, live webcasting has the ability to transmit your event to all corners of the globe. Regardless of whether your audience is from the Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa, or the Americas, conference webcasting will enable your event to be viewed by anyone with internet access. This is particularly useful for corporate organizations that have offices and personnel located throughout the world. It can be challenging trying to gather everybody together to attend the one event at the exact same time. It’s even more challenging if your staff roster includes shift workers or personnel located in different time zones. With live webcasting, these issues become a thing of the past, as anybody and everybody can view the event in their own time, whenever it is most convenient. This also applies to your target audience, as live webcasting provides flexibility and convenience for viewers to tune into your event. This is a significant advantage compared to any OnDemand webcasting services, as it provides the ability to interact with your audience in real-time, which is very beneficial for things such as question and answer sessions.
3.2. Enhance audience engagement
Engaging the global audience Webcast can be accessed globally provided that the viewers have internet access. This opens up opportunities to engage a larger audience from different parts of the world. An example of this situation is live language translation during a live event. SPN Media has posted an interesting article about webcast language translation for an international audience.
Access to on-demand content Static webcasts and on-demand content are also parts of live webcasting. These types of webcasts provide 24/7 access to recorded events. Viewers can watch the event and participate in discussion anytime they want. This method is used to get continuous engagement even after the live event has ended. Ostatic.com has posted an interesting article that shows the effectiveness of webcasting using on-demand content.
Interactive Q&A sessions Some live webcasting service providers offer interactive Q&A sessions. This feature enables viewers to ask presenters about the topics being discussed. Viewers can post their questions using chat tools provided in the webcast interface. The questions will then appear on the presenter’s interface and the presenter can answer the questions verbally or using the same chat tool. This is a great way to get a clear explanation for topics being discussed.
Real-time discussions Live webcasting enables viewers to participate in real-time discussion. Event organizers can use this as a tool to gather feedback for improvement. It can also be a way to answer viewers’ questions about the event or to provide further explanation regarding the event.
Engaging audience is an important part for each event and webcasting helps to reach that goal. Live webcasting allows audience to participate with the event without leaving their comfort spot. Here are several ways to encourage audience engagement in events using live webcasting:
3.3. Cost-effective solution
Furthermore, in today’s global financial environment, many companies are cutting back on staff training, sales and marketing events, or holding regional events rather than national ones. Live event webcasting means that despite a company’s smaller budget, it does not have to compromise on holding a key event that will engage employees or customers. By webcasting the event, several (or all) regional offices can be brought together in one online location to view a live broadcast of the event. It is also possible for many individuals to view the event from their home. This negates the need to host multiple events, saving a substantial amount of money on travel, venue hire, and the man hours involved in organizing the event.
In the past, organizing an event, be it a small family gathering, birthday party, or a larger seminar, live event, wedding, etc., always proved challenging, and the prospect of recording the event for those who could not attend was near impossible. Recording the event was expensive, and generally the quality was poor, with tapes being lost in the post or just misplaced. The finished product was often not worth the time and effort.
4. Choosing the Right Live Streaming Service
The second and most important step is to identify what you want to achieve from live streaming. If you are a content producer looking for a new revenue opportunity, live streaming may be a premium service providing an additional revenue stream to your viewers. If you are a sports organization looking to add value to your event, you may want to implement a pay-per-view system. Determine the exact way in which you wish to monetize your event, and then identify the features that allow you to do this. Many live streaming platforms offer a paywall or ticketing system; however, it is often limited to specific packages. Make a list of the features that are important to achieving your end goal, and compare these lists across different providers.
Firstly, you must consider the nature of your event. Is this something that will be ongoing or a one-off occasion? Events such as weekly sport matches or church services require a platform that can provide an ongoing service. In this instance, you will need to look for a provider that offers a platform for your viewers while the event is offline. This will give them the ability to view old content or replays. If your event is a one-off occasion, this option will not be relevant, and an event-specific package will be more suited.
When it comes to choosing the right live streaming service, evaluating your options is a crucial process. Even more important is to be certain what you need both short and long-term. The following steps will help you ask the right questions so that you can get the most out of your provider.
4.1. Consider your event requirements
Think about what type of event you’re trying to put on. Is it a small corporate training session with a few employees, or a large-scale event that takes place at a convention center? Different live streaming services focus on different event sizes and types. Some cater towards providing a platform to share knowledge, while others specialize in music and live event coverage. Identify what is most important to you about your event. If its focus is on quality audio, the music platform might be a good choice. If the event is strictly a business endeavor, a service like GoToWebinar might be a good fit. The point is, make sure that the service you are choosing is designed to fulfill the needs of your specific event. The second requirement to consider is the location and resources available at the venue where the event is taking place. If you’re planning on live streaming something like a sports event that takes place outdoors from a location that doesn’t have WiFi, you’re going to need a service that has the capability to stream over a cellular network. Some services have mobile apps that offer this function. Others might require the purchase of an encoder and the added cost of a higher bandwidth plan. Make sure that you can realistically meet the streaming requirements of the service you choose. Failure to do so may result in a subpar live stream.
4.2. Evaluate the features and capabilities
After the above considerations have been taken into account, a free trial of the service should be utilized to test its usability and ensure it is right for your event. At this stage, customer support may be tested by asking the service provider direct questions. If the trial is successful and you are confident the service is right for your event, then you should proceed to purchase said service for your event.
An important consideration is the security and reliability of the service. If your event is a high profile event, it is important that the event stream is not compromised at all and there is no possibility of hackers interfering with the broadcast. Furthermore, you want a guarantee that the viewer will be able to watch the event on a high-quality stream without the possibility of service interruptions.
Different events will have different requirements but this is a comprehensive list of features offered by various live streaming service providers. Create a comparison table listing the above features that are important to you and rate each service on how well they fulfill each criteria. This will provide you with a clear visual of which service will be best for your event.
Consider what features are important to your event. Various live streaming services offer different features. Some important features to consider are: – The ability to brand your event page with your own logos and graphics. – The ability to password protect your event. – The ability to create unique URLs for your event. – The availability of a DVR function allowing viewers to start viewing the event from the beginning while it is still being streamed. – The ability to pre-schedule your event. – The ability to receive a copy of the recorded event. – The ability to embed the live stream on your own website. – Compatibility with mobile devices. – The level of customer support. – The level of security and reliability. – The amount of analytics provided.
4.3. Compare pricing and packages
Although pricing is an important factor, you should consider the entire package and value-add of the live streaming service to evaluate if it meets your requirements. This is the best way to avoid a nasty case of buyer’s remorse. We suggest you start by checking with a vendor because they usually have a package that can save you time and cost in addressing every feature or can be customized for your needs at attractive rates. Package deals with a one-stop ICT vendor are proven to be more affordable. For instance, you can save 10 to 40% from the total cost of engaging a webcasting provider and utilizing a separate platform for interactive features. The same goes for the various types of online events. For a lower budget webinar, you can easily compare the cost savings of using live streaming to reach a large audience, as opposed to assembling all participants in a physical location. For a series of events or small organizations that run continuous webinars, some service providers may offer a subscription-based package with lower rates. Another consideration is the opportunity cost of a free service. As the saying goes, nothing in life is free. A package with free live streaming and conferencing services may seem attractive, but in a case where it does not fully meet your requirements, you may not have the time or resources to ‘make it work’, resulting in a loss of time and damage in event quality. This also makes it difficult to convince internal stakeholders who are accustomed to higher quality ICT services. Always opt for a trial before committing to assess cost vs. performance. On the topic of convincing stakeholders, some service providers offer the option of offsetting costs by selling sponsorship packages and including sponsor logos in the webcast environment. This option may even turn out to make the live streaming service free of cost. Finally, factor in the support and expertise with the service to avoid hidden costs from technical issues and ensure a smooth, successful event.
