YouTube has announced it is opening a new chapter with live streaming. The video portal has conducted a limited trial of a new live streaming platform in conjunction with four of its partners: Howcast, Next New Networks, Rocketboom and Young Hollywood.
This new platform integrates live streaming directly into YouTube channels; all broadcasters need is a webcam or external USB/FireWire camera. Included in the test is a “Live Comments” module which lets viewers engage with the broadcaster and the broader YouTube community. For the purposes of the trial, this offering was only available for two days. Based on the results of this initial test, YouTube will evaluate rolling out the platform more broadly to partners worldwide.
This is not the first time that YouTube have brought live streaming to their site. YouTube’s first ever live stream took place on November 22, 2008, a concert streamed live from San Francisco. Other live events included U2, the Indian Premier League and E3 in Los Angeles.