Live Streaming as a Medium: The Emerging Norm in the Entertainment Arena

Live video streaming is now the buzz, and audience engagement with movies and shows could never get better without it.    

FREMONT, CA: The development in network capabilities, as well as the increased adoption of personal smart devices, has led to overwhelming growth in media and entertainment content consumption. Among the various channels in the media industry, one that has seen increasing popularity in recent times is that of live video streaming. The appeal that live video streaming enjoys can be attributed to a number of factors. The most apparent reason among them has to be the engagement factor that it brings about. When a particular live video is broadcasted, it finds a huge number of takers as compared to when a pre-recorded video is shared.

The spontaneity that comes with live streaming is unique to this medium. In no other medium is an audience as closely connected to the creator, as in the case of a live broadcast. Gone are the days when sports matches and news debates used to be the only things that were delivered to the audience in real-time. Today, a plethora of smartphone applications have equipped creators and consumers to forge quality bonds. Every major social media platform boasts of features that allow celebrities and popular individuals to live stream content for their followers. Thus, followers and fans can interact directly. The medium has significant implications and is a powerful tool that everybody is looking forward to leverage.

Big retail brands have also realized the power of the medium and are looking for opportunities to deploy live streaming to enhance customer engagement that can subsequently improve brand value. Marketing has found a whole new dimension. Conducting a successful product launch has never been as easy as it is now with live streaming. Staying in the psyche of customers in today's competitive world with the help of regular live streaming projects can be a valuable edge for businesses.

The best part about live streaming as a medium is that it requires minimal inputs. No technical equipment is needed to shoot the videos. Expertise in the areas of making videos or editing them is also not required. This makes the medium an easily accessible but effective one for everyone. Thus, it creates a level playing field. However, a few considerations regarding the best practices can help creators get the most out of the medium. The most basic among these is concerned with making a choice for the live streaming tool or platform. Depending upon the requirements, one should consider a few options before choosing the best fit. Directly following the trend and opting for a particular platform might not be the best approach.

Technology is never foolproof. Hence, considering the negatives, along with the positives, is essential to make the right choice. Having a framework in mind before going live is critical to good streaming sessions. Tools available on the streaming platforms often play an assisting role and are simple to use. The option to update schedules for live sessions on the social media platform is a highly desirable one. There are tools on live streaming platforms that provide insights into audience and traffic. Leveraging these while strategizing for the subsequent videos is advisable.

In the near future, many technologies will integrate with live streaming as it evolves further. One can expect automation capabilities to become an integral part of streaming platforms. The inclusion of virtual reality into live streaming presents a fascinating opportunity. Use of VR headsets could bring in a much higher level of immersive experience to live video streaming. The concepts of concerts and live shows, which have physical limitations, will gradually be replaced with virtual reality experiences. No matter where the event is happening, fans can experience it live at the comfort of their homes.