{{Short description|Live broadcasting via the Internet}} {{distinguish|Lifestreaming}} {{globalize|date=June 2020}} [[File:CR staff and PeopleRail journalist livestreaming at Beijing Fengtai Railway Station Exit 5 (20220620132147).jpg|thumb|[[China Railway]] staff livestreaming on the first day of operation of [[Beijing Fengtai railway station]] on 20 June 2022 during the [[COVID-19 pandemic]] era]] [[File:“IM NOT WORTH IT” LIVESTREAM-r DMqMVfOhU.webm|thumb|American musicians [[Neffex]] on a livestream broadcast]]
'''Livestreaming''', '''live-streaming''', or '''live streaming''' is the [[streaming media|streaming]] of [[video]] or [[Digital audio|audio]] in [[real-time communication|real time]] or [[near real time]]. While often referred to simply as ''streaming'', the real-time nature of livestreaming differentiates it from other non-[[live broadcast]] forms of streamed media such as [[video-on-demand]], [[vlogs]] and [[video-sharing platform]]s such as [[YouTube]] and [[TikTok]].
Livestreaming services encompass a wide variety of topics, including [[social media]], [[video game]]s, [[professional sports]], and [[lifestreaming|lifecasting]]. Platforms such as [[Facebook Live]], [[Periscope (app)|Periscope]], [[Kuaishou]], [[DouYu|Douyu]], [[bilibili]], [[YouTube]], and [[17 (app)|17]] include the streaming of scheduled promotions and celebrity events as well as streaming between users, as in [[videotelephony]]. Livestreaming sites such as [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]] and [[Kick (service)|Kick]] have become popular outlets for watching people play video games, such as in [[esports]], [[Let's Play]]-style gaming, or [[speedrunning]]. Live coverage of sporting events is a common application.
[[Chat room]]s are a key feature in livestreaming, allowing viewers to interact with the broadcaster (streamer) and join ongoing conversations. These rooms often include [[emoji]]s and [[emote]]s as additional communication tools.
== Social media == {{Multiple image
| image1 = 20080127-3 - Gung Haggis Fat Choy 2008.jpg | image2 = Bambuser for Android.jpg | footer = Two early examples of smartphones recording and live streaming it: a [[Nokia N95]] using [[Qik]] (left) and a [[T-Mobile G1]] using [[Bambuser]] }} In the field of [[social media]], the term ''live media'' refers to [[new media]] that use streaming technologies to create and share live [[multimedia]] content among people, companies, and organizations. [[Social media marketing|Social media marketer]] [[Bryan Kramer]] describes livestreaming as an inexpensive "key marketing and communications tool that helps brands reach their online audience." Users can follow their friends' live video "shares" as well as "shares" related to specific content or items. Live media can be shared through any Internet website or application; thus, when people browse a specific website, they may find live media streams relevant to them.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Kramer|first1=Bryan|title=How Live-Streaming is Going to Crush it in 2016|url=http://www.socialmediatoday.com/social-networks/how-live-streaming-going-crush-it-2016|website=SocialMediaToday|access-date=September 30, 2016|archive-date=October 2, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002172639/http://www.socialmediatoday.com/social-networks/how-live-streaming-going-crush-it-2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
Live media can include coverage of various events such as concerts or live news coverage viewed using a [[web browser]] or apps such as [[Snapchat]]. [[James Harden]] and [[Trolli]] promoted an upcoming [[NBA All-Star Game]] through Snapchat. Many of [[LaBeouf, Rönkkö & Turner]]'s [[performance art]] were livestreamed, such as a stream of [[Shia LaBeouf]] in a theater viewing all his movies.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/11/16/9731856/shia-labeouf-all-my-movies-live-stream|title=Why Shia LaBeouf's #AllMyMovies was so successful|website=[[The Verge]]|date=November 16, 2015|access-date=July 7, 2017|last=Robinson|first=Tasha|archive-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727204940/https://www.theverge.com/2015/11/16/9731856/shia-labeouf-all-my-movies-live-stream|url-status=live}}</ref>
However, live stream commerce today enables sellers to showcase products through streamers, mimicking in-store sales tactics to encourage customer purchases.<ref name="Merritt 71">{{Cite journal |last1=Merritt |first1=Kamarin |last2=Zhao |first2=Shichao |date=June 2022 |title=The Power of Live Stream Commerce: A Case Study of How Live Stream Commerce Can Be Utilised in the Traditional British Retailing Sector |journal=Journal of Open Innovation: Technology, Market, and Complexity |language=en |volume=8 |issue=2 |pages=71 |doi=10.3390/joitmc8020071 |issn=2199-8531|doi-access=free |hdl=10419/274372 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> Chinese live stream-based retailing has contributed significantly to the country’s e-commerce sector, with reports estimating revenues in the tens of billions of pounds.<ref name="Merritt 71"/> The McKinsey report also demonstrates that live stream commerce is expanding in China, the sales from live stream commerce were expected to achieve $423 billion by 2022,.<ref name="Merritt 71"/> It is expected the US live streaming industry will grow from $17 billion in 2022 to $55 billion by 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Moretti |first1=Joanie |date=2025-02-05 |title=Andrew Garson: Livestreaming Transforms E-Commerce into Engaging Experiences |url=https://calbizjournal.com/andrew-garson-livestreaming-transforms-e-commerce-into-engaging-experiences/ |access-date=2025-02-06 }}</ref>
=== Facebook Watch === [[Facebook]] introduced a video streaming service, [[Facebook Watch]] to select individuals in August 2017, and to the public in January 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mashable.com/2016/01/28/facebook-live-video-how-to/#EykmO4z.4PqL|title=Facebook is finally bringing livestreaming to everyone|last=Bell|first=Karissa|publisher=[[Mashable]]|date=January 28, 2016|access-date=April 24, 2016|archive-date=April 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160421030626/http://mashable.com/2016/01/28/facebook-live-video-how-to/#EykmO4z.4PqL|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=wired>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/2016/04/facebook-really-really-wants-broadcast-watch-live-video/|title=Zuckerberg Really Wants You to Stream Live Video on Facebook|last=Greenberg|first=Julia|date=2016-04-06|newspaper=WIRED|language=en-US|access-date=2016-11-30|archive-date=2016-11-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130185412/https://www.wired.com/2016/04/facebook-really-really-wants-broadcast-watch-live-video/|url-status=live}}</ref> Facebook watch is a video-on-demand service that allows users to share content live. It allows people to upload videos that cover a wide array of topics including original comedy, drama, and news programming. Facebook Live allows Facebook users to include their own "reactions" when someone is broadcasting. One of the reasons that Facebook Watch is so successful is because the content is recommended to users based on algorithms that determine what the user would most like to watch.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-facebook-watch-4175805|title=Facebook Watch: What is it and how to use it|last=Laukkonen|first=Jeremy|website=Life Wire|access-date=2020-03-13|archive-date=2020-09-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926164556/https://www.lifewire.com/what-is-facebook-watch-4175805|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== YouTube Live === [[YouTube]] was purchased by [[Google]] in 2006, and the pair subsequently announced their livestreaming app. Like [[Periscope (service)|Periscope]], users can comment during the broadcast. Unlike Periscope, livestreams on YouTube can be saved and any user can access them through the app.<ref name="wired2">{{Cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/2015/08/youtube-sleeping-giant-livestreaming/|title=YouTube Is the Sleeping Giant of Livestreaming|last=Pierce|first=David|newspaper=WIRED|language=en-US|access-date=2016-11-30|archive-date=2020-11-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108112508/https://www.wired.com/2015/08/youtube-sleeping-giant-livestreaming/|url-status=live}}</ref> YouTube head of product for consumers, Manuel Bronstein, stated that live streaming gives creators the opportunity to "actually create a more intimate connection with their fans."<ref name="wired2"/>
=== Kick === [[Kick (service)|Kick]] (also known as Kick.com) is a live video streaming service supported by online betting [[Stake.com]] along with streaming personality [[Trainwreckstv]]. Launched in 2022 as an [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]-owned Twitch alternative, Kick emerged after Stake.com and other gambling sites were restricted on Twitch. Kick offers a 95% revenue share to streamers and 5% to the platform.
Although Kick is not officially linked to [[Stake.com]] co-founders, records show they are the main shareholders of the company owning the streaming site.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Should You Stream on Kick? The New Platform Taking Twitch's Top Talent |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/should-you-stream-on-kick-the-new-platform-taking-twitchs-top-talent/ |access-date=2024-02-15 |website=CNET |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Tsiaoussidis |first=Alex |last2=Richman |first2=Olivia |date=2023-06-16 |title=Who owns Kick.com? Fledgling Twitch streaming rival responds to Stake rumors |url=https://dotesports.com/streaming/news/who-owns-kick-com-fledgling-twitch-streaming-rival-responds-to-stake-rumors |access-date=2024-02-15 |website=Dot Esports |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-03-03 |title=Twitch's New Streaming Rival Kick Tests Waters of Lighter Moderation |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2023-03-03/twitch-s-new-video-game-streaming-rival-kick-goes-light-on-moderation |access-date=2024-02-15 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en}}</ref>
Notable streamers like [[Hikaru Nakamura]] and [[Nickmercs]], formerly popular on Twitch, joined Kick, contributing to its average of 235,000 live streams per day as of June 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Browning |first=Kellen |date=June 16, 2023 |title=Twitch Star xQc Signs $100 Million Deal With Kick, a Rival Platform |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/16/business/twitch-kick-xqc.html |access-date=2024-02-15 |website=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
=== Lifestreaming === [[File:Meyerskansolis (1).jpg|thumb|[[Twitch (service)|Twitch]] co-founder [[Justin Kan]] wearing a [[Lifecasting (video stream)|lifecasting]] setup]][[Lifestreaming]], also known as lifecasting, is the practice of continuously broadcasting various aspects of one's daily life to an online audience. This modern phenomenon allows people to share even mundane events in real-time, giving viewers an intimate look into someone's routine.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hughes |first=Matthew |date=October 31, 2016 |title=Whale is the latest app from Twitch founder Justin Kan |url=https://thenextweb.com/apps/2016/10/31/whale-is-the-latest-app-from-twitch-tv-founder-justin-kan/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810072518/https://thenextweb.com/apps/2016/10/31/whale-is-the-latest-app-from-twitch-tv-founder-justin-kan/ |archive-date=August 10, 2018 |access-date=August 9, 2018 |work=The Next Web |quote=In 2006, he launched Justin.tv, which is credited for popularizing lifestreaming.}}</ref>
[[Justin Kan]], an entrepreneur and internet personality, is often credited with bringing this concept to the mainstream. He founded [[Justin.tv]], a website initially focused solely on broadcasting his own life 24/7.<ref>{{cite web |last=Yang |first=Jeff |date=March 27, 2007 |title=Asian Pop: Man with a Cam |url=http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fg%2Fa%2F2007%2F03%2F27%2Fapop.DTL |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129113158/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fg%2Fa%2F2007%2F03%2F27%2Fapop.DTL |archive-date=January 29, 2012 |access-date=August 9, 2018 |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]]}}</ref> This lifecasting platform eventually evolved, serving as the foundation for a new style of online sharing and paving the way for more diverse content.
In its early days, Justin.tv was an experimental space where Kan himself was the main focus, capturing everything from his workdays to social interactions. This format marked an early example of real-time personal broadcasting using emerging internet technologies. Kan's innovation in this area led to the popularization of lifestreaming, which has since evolved to include various forms of content and millions of users worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |last=Herrman |first=John |date=June 17, 2018 |title=With Twitch, Amazon Tightens Grip on Livestreams of Video Games |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/17/business/media/amazon-twitch-video-games.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810072622/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/17/business/media/amazon-twitch-video-games.html |archive-date=August 10, 2018 |access-date=August 9, 2018 |work=[[The New York Times]] |quote=Twitch began in 2011 as an offshoot of Justin.tv, a lifecasting site founded by two Yale graduates, Emmett Shear and Justin Kan. They started the platform after they found that viewers were more interested in watching their lifecasters play video games than eat or sleep.}}</ref> Today, the influence of the original concept can be seen across multiple platforms and in different variations, extending beyond individual lifecasting to live broadcasts of events, gaming, and more.
=== Twitch === [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]] is a livestreaming video platform owned by Twitch Interactive, a subsidiary of [[Amazon (company)|Amazon]].<ref name="gamasutra-amazon">{{cite web|url=http://gamasutra.com/view/news/224090/Amazon_to_acquire_Twitch.php|title=Amazon to acquire Twitch|first=Alex|last=Wawro|date=August 25, 2014|access-date=August 25, 2014|work=[[Gamasutra]]|publisher=[[UBM plc]]|archive-date=August 26, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826113828/http://gamasutra.com/view/news/224090/Amazon_to_acquire_Twitch.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> Introduced in June 2011 as a spin-off of the general-interest streaming platform, [[Justin.tv]], the site primarily focuses on [[video game]] [[Video game livestreaming|livestreaming]], including broadcasts of [[eSports]] competitions, in addition to music<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2020/09/01/amazon-brings-twitchs-livestreams-to-its-amazon-music-app/|title=Amazon brings Twitch's live streams to its Amazon Music app|date=1 September 2020|access-date=2021-06-25|archive-date=2023-04-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409055431/https://techcrunch.com/2020/09/01/amazon-brings-twitchs-livestreams-to-its-amazon-music-app/|url-status=live}}</ref> broadcasts, creative content, and more recently, "[[real life|in real life]]" streams. Content on the site can be viewed either live or via [[video on demand]].
=== Bigo Live === [[Bigo Live]] is a live streaming platform owned by a [[Singapore]]-based BIGO Technology,<ref>{{Cite news|date=25 January 2019|title=Apps you've never heard of that your teen is already using|language=en-UK|work=[[CNN]]|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/01/25/health/common-sense-2019-apps-partner/index.html|access-date=21 February 2022|archive-date=6 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406002723/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/01/25/health/common-sense-2019-apps-partner/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bigo.sg/ |title=BIGO Technology |access-date=2022-02-21 |archive-date=2021-05-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518052911/https://www.bigo.sg/ |url-status=live }}</ref> which was founded in 2014 by David Li and Jason Hu. As of 2019, BIGO Technology is owned by JOYY, a [[Internet in China|Chinese company]] listed on the [[NASDAQ]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=China's YY eyes overseas live streaming with $1.45B Bigo buyout|url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/04/yy-buys-out-bigo/|access-date=2 July 2020|website=TechCrunch|date=5 March 2019|language=en-US|archive-date=9 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409055339/https://techcrunch.com/2019/03/04/yy-buys-out-bigo/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=YY Announces Completion of Acquisition of Bigo|url=https://ir.yy.com/news-releases/news-release-details/yy-announces-completion-acquisition-bigo|access-date=5 July 2020|website=ir.yy.com|language=en|archive-date=30 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200630174519/https://ir.yy.com/news-releases/news-release-details/yy-announces-completion-acquisition-bigo|url-status=dead}}</ref> Like YouTube Live, users can watch trendy live streams and comment on the broadcast. Unlike YouTube Live, users on Bigo Live can filter out broadcasters from a certain country on the explore page.
=== Former ===
==== Periscope ==== In March 2015, [[Twitter]] launched a livestreaming app called [[Periscope (app)|Periscope]]. Normally, users would see a [[hyperlink]] attached to their broadcast, directing people to a new tab. Using Periscope, videos appear live on the timeline. If the user has allowed the site to share information, others can see where the user is streaming from. During the broadcast, users can comment, talk to the broadcaster, or ask questions.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Price|first=Rob|date=March 26, 2015|title=Twitter just launched Periscope, its hot new streaming app|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/twitter-launches-periscope-meerkat-livestreaming-app-2015-3|access-date=November 4, 2016|website=Business Insider|archive-date=November 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105161120/http://www.businessinsider.com/twitter-launches-periscope-meerkat-livestreaming-app-2015-3|url-status=live}}</ref> Kayvon Beykpour, CEO of Periscope, and [[Dick Costolo]] and [[Jack Dorsey]], former CEOs of Twitter, all shared a common goal—to invent something that would merge both teams into one instead of as partners.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Pierce|first=David|date=January 12, 2016|title=Periscope Now Drops Live Video Into Your Twitter Timeline|url=https://www.wired.com/2016/01/periscope-now-puts-live-video-in-your-twitter-timeline/|magazine=Wired|access-date=November 4, 2016|archive-date=November 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161105161124/https://www.wired.com/2016/01/periscope-now-puts-live-video-in-your-twitter-timeline/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was discontinued in March 2021 due to declining usage, product realignment and high maintenance costs.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Periscope|date=2020-12-15|title=Farewell, Periscope|url=https://periscope.medium.com/farewell-periscope-164db2742b7c|access-date=2021-09-30|website=Medium|language=en|archive-date=2021-06-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210629153517/https://periscope.medium.com/farewell-periscope-164db2742b7c|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Twitter Discontinues Periscope, But Live Streaming Lives On|url=https://www.cmswire.com/digital-marketing/down-periscope-twitter-discontinues-the-livestreaming-app/|access-date=2021-09-30|website=CMSWire.com|language=en|archive-date=2021-09-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210930154332/https://www.cmswire.com/digital-marketing/down-periscope-twitter-discontinues-the-livestreaming-app/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==== Mixer ==== [[Microsoft]] entered the livestreaming scene when it acquired Beam, the Seattle-based company, in August 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/08/11/microsoft-acquires-beam-interactive-game-livestreaming-service/|title=Microsoft acquires Beam interactive game livestreaming service|website=TechCrunch|date=11 August 2016|language=en-US|access-date=2020-03-13|archive-date=2023-04-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409055433/https://techcrunch.com/2016/08/11/microsoft-acquires-beam-interactive-game-livestreaming-service/|url-status=live}}</ref> About a year after acquiring the company, the service was renamed to [[Mixer (service)|Mixer]] in May 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/5/25/15687502/beam-rebranding-mixer-microsoft-pc-xbox-one|title=Microsoft's Beam renamed to Mixer, adds co-op streaming (update)|last=Sarkar|first=Samit|date=2017-05-25|website=Polygon|language=en|access-date=2020-03-13|archive-date=2017-05-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525154302/https://www.polygon.com/2017/5/25/15687502/beam-rebranding-mixer-microsoft-pc-xbox-one|url-status=live}}</ref> The platform was the first to bring multiple features to livestreaming such as interactive gameplay, where viewers could influence gameplay, and co-streaming, where viewers could watch multiple viewpoints of teammates in the same game. Like [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]], viewers on Mixer could pay to subscribe to streamers on a monthly basis. Viewers could also buy "Embers", which was the e-currency used by the site, and could donate that to streamers as well. While Twitch remained the biggest company in the business, Mixer attempted to raise its stock by signing multiple big streamers to Mixer-exclusive deals. These signings included [[Ninja (video game player)|Tyler "Ninja" Blevins]] in August 2019, [[Shroud (video game player)|Michael "Shroud" Grzesiek]] in October 2019, and Cory "King Gothalion" Michael also in October 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-twitch-vs-mixer-youtube-stars-who-switched-2019-11|title=Amazon's wildly popular video game streaming service, Twitch, is no longer the biggest game in town: These are all the stars who have signed exclusivity deals with the competition|last=Gilbert|first=Ben|last2=Webb|first2=Kevin|date=2020-01-15|website=Business Insider|access-date=2020-03-13|archive-date=2020-01-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115123134/https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-twitch-vs-mixer-youtube-stars-who-switched-2019-11|url-status=live}}</ref> Mixer announced it would be shutting down its streaming services on July 22, 2020. In the announcement, Mixer's parent company, Microsoft, announced a partnership with Facebook gaming, and directed current users to the new platform.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Team|first=Mixer|date=2020-06-22|title=The Next Step for Mixer|url=https://blog.mixer.com/2020/06/22/the-next-step-for-mixer/|access-date=2020-07-11|website=From the Myxer|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-07-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711213811/https://blog.mixer.com/2020/06/22/the-next-step-for-mixer/|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Video games== {{main|Video game livestreaming}} Livestreaming playing of [[video games]] gained popularity during the 2010s. [[David M. Ewalt]] referred to Twitch as "the [[ESPN]] of video games".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidewalt/2013/11/13/the-espn-of-video-games|title=The ESPN of Videogames|last=Ewalt|first=David M.|date=December 2, 2013|work=Forbes|author-link=David M. Ewalt|access-date=September 4, 2017|archive-date=August 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803091943/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidewalt/2013/11/13/the-espn-of-video-games/|url-status=live}}</ref> The website spawned from and grew to overshadow Justin.tv, and was purchased by [[Amazon.com]] at the end of 2014 for US$970 million.<ref>{{cite news|title=Amazon to Buy Video Site Twitch for More Than $1 Billion|url=https://online.wsj.com/articles/amazon-to-buy-video-site-twitch-for-more-than-1-billion-1408988885?tesla=y&mg=reno64-wsj|access-date=25 August 2014|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=25 August 2014|archive-date=28 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140828174620/http://online.wsj.com/articles/amazon-to-buy-video-site-twitch-for-more-than-1-billion-1408988885?tesla=y&mg=reno64-wsj|url-status=live}}</ref> As one of the leading livestreaming platforms, Twitch now has millions of broadcasters and has nearly two hundred million viewers.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Johnson |first=Mark R. |date=2021 |title=Behind the Streams: The Off-Camera Labour of Game Live Streaming |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/15554120211005239 |journal=Games and Culture |language=en |volume=16 |issue=8 |pages=1001–1020 |doi=10.1177/15554120211005239 |s2cid=233586670 |issn=1555-4120 |access-date=2022-11-11 |archive-date=2022-11-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105202148/https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/15554120211005239 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}</ref> Other video-game oriented streaming websites include Smashcast.tv, which was formed after the merging of [[Azubu]] and [[Hitbox.tv]], and the South Korea-based [[afreecaTV]]. In 2015, YouTube launched YouTube Gaming—a video gaming-oriented sub-site and app that is intended to compete with Twitch.<ref name=guardianYT>{{Cite news|title=Google launches YouTube Gaming to challenge Amazon-owned Twitch|work=The Guardian|first=Stuart|last=Dredge|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/aug/26/youtube-gaming-live-website-apps|date=August 26, 2015|access-date=September 5, 2015|archive-date=September 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906044745/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/aug/26/youtube-gaming-live-website-apps|url-status=live}}</ref>
An example of a notable livestreamed event is [[Games Done Quick]], a charity [[speedrun]]ning marathon hosted on Twitch. Viewers are encouraged to donate for incentives during the stream such as naming characters in a run, having the runners attempt more difficult challenges, or winning prizes.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://associationsnow.com/2015/01/gaming-gurus-reinvented-telethons-web/|publisher=Association Now|title=How Gaming Gurus Reinvented Telethons for the Web|last=Smith|first=Ernie|date=2015-01-13|access-date=2017-07-07|archive-date=2016-07-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160714025000/http://associationsnow.com/2015/01/gaming-gurus-reinvented-telethons-web/|url-status=live}}</ref> Over $10 million has been raised across sixteen marathons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamesdonequick.com/tracker/|title=all events tracker|date=2017-01-14|access-date=2017-07-07|archive-date=2015-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910115106/https://gamesdonequick.com/tracker/|url-status=live}}</ref>
Professional streamers can generate [[Living wage|livable revenue]] from viewer [[subscription]]s and donations, as well as platform advertisements and sponsorships from [[eSports]] organizations, often earning much more from streaming than from tournament winnings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailydot.com/esports/hearthstone-2014-prize-totals/|work=[[The Daily Dot]]|title=Hearthstone players won more than $1 million in the game's first year|last=Leslie|first=Callum|date=2014-12-31|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509164056/http://www.dailydot.com/esports/hearthstone-2014-prize-totals/|archive-date=9 May 2016}}</ref> The audiences of professional gaming tournaments are primarily livestream viewers in addition to live audiences inside venues. [[The International 2017]], a ''[[Dota 2]]'' tournament with the largest prize pool in eSport history, was primarily streamed through Twitch, having a peak of over five million concurrent viewers.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-08-14-the-international-2017-reached-5m-peak-concurrent-viewers|title=The International 2017 reached 5m peak concurrent viewers|first=Matthew|last=Handrahan|date=August 14, 2017|access-date=August 15, 2017|work=[[GamesIndustry.biz]]|archive-date=August 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815185636/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2017-08-14-the-international-2017-reached-5m-peak-concurrent-viewers|url-status=live}}</ref>
== Sports == Within recent years there has been a large influx in viewership and investment into sports live streaming. Digital streaming across Prime Video, NFL Digital, Fox Sports Digital, and Verizon Media Mobile properties in 2019 surpassed an average audience of over 1 million<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Football League and Amazon Renew and Expand Streaming Partnership |url=https://nflcommunications.com/Pages/NATIONAL-FOOTBALL-LEAGUE-AND-AMAZON-RENEW-AND-EXPAND-STREAMING-PARTNERSHIP.aspx |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=nflcommunications.com |archive-date=2023-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418185751/https://nflcommunications.com/Pages/NATIONAL-FOOTBALL-LEAGUE-AND-AMAZON-RENEW-AND-EXPAND-STREAMING-PARTNERSHIP.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> – up 43% versus the previous year (729,000). Additionally, research and forecasts have shown that [[consumer spending]] on traditional pay-TV services fell by 8% to $90.7 billion in 2021 and will decline further to $74.5 billion in 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mann |first=Colin |date=2021-04-28 |title=Forecast: US OTT spend to exceed pay-TV in 2024 |url=https://advanced-television.com/2021/04/28/research-us-ott-spend-to-exceed-pay-tv-in-24/ |access-date=2023-04-18 |language=en-GB |archive-date=2023-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418185752/https://advanced-television.com/2021/04/28/research-us-ott-spend-to-exceed-pay-tv-in-24/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It is expected that U.S. household subscription-based services spending will surpass pay TV for the first time in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-26 |title=The State of Live Streaming 2022 |url=https://www.streamingmedia.com/Articles/ReadArticle.aspx?ArticleID=152088 |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=Streaming Media Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> Large corporations such as Amazon have looked to expand into sports live streaming. In 2021, Amazon closed an 11-year, $113 billion deal to stream National Football League (NFL) games on their Amazon Prime Video Streaming Platform.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saul |first=Derek |date=2022-09-08 |title=NFL's Thursday Kickoff Marks Pivotal Moment For Amazon And Other Tech Giants' Live Sports Future |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2022/09/08/nfls-thursday-kickoff-marks-pivotal-moment-for-amazon-and-other-tech-giants-live-sports-future/ |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=2023-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418185751/https://www.forbes.com/sites/dereksaul/2022/09/08/nfls-thursday-kickoff-marks-pivotal-moment-for-amazon-and-other-tech-giants-live-sports-future/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
{{Main|NFL on Nickelodeon}}
Live streaming in sports targets younger viewers with its easy access and subscriptions. The [[National Football League|NFL]] notably partnered with [[Nickelodeon]] for youth-focused livestreams of the 2021 [[Wild Card Series|Wild Card Playoff Game]] and beyond.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sim |first=Josh |date=2023-08-02 |title=Nickelodeon to air first ever NFL Super Bowl simulcast |url=https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/nfl-super-bowl-lviii-nickelodeon-alternate-tv-telecast-2024-cbs/ |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=SportsPro |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=CBS Sports, Nickelodeon team up for first-ever Super Bowl alternate telecast |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/cbs-sports-nickelodeon-team-up-for-first-ever-super-bowl-alternate-telecast |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=NFL.com |language=en-US}}</ref> These broadcasts featured Nickelodeon's signature cartoons and commentary from stars Gabrielle Green and Lex Lumpkin.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-10 |title=Nickelodeon renews partnership with NFL for 2021 season, will broadcast 2022 Wild Card round again |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nickelodeon-renews-partnership-with-nfl-for-2021-season-will-broadcast-2022-wild-card-round-again/ |access-date=2023-09-23 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref>
Despite the growth of live streaming for sports, there are concerns about unauthorised live streaming and piracy of sports content. In January 2021 alone it was said that humans made 362.7 million visits to sports piracy websites. These concerns are exacerbated when studies show over 54% of millennials have watched pirate sports live streams. This has created issues over the future sustainability and protection of legally broadcast streams.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inside the complex world of illegal sports streaming |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/inside-the-complex-world-of-illegal-sports-streaming-040816430.html |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=Yahoo Sports |date=27 March 2019 |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418185751/https://sports.yahoo.com/inside-the-complex-world-of-illegal-sports-streaming-040816430.html |url-status=live }}</ref> === Netflix === In 2023, Netflix began offering live streaming by adding live events such as sports, concerts, comedy specials, and award shows. As of 2026, it has broadcast over 200 live events. Netflix's live streaming was criticized in 2024 when the live stream for the [[Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson]] fight was marred by glitches and poor quality.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Netflix Wanted to Reinvent Live TV. It Hasn’t Been Easy. |last=Bousquette |first=Isabelle |date=2026-01-13 |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/netflix-wanted-to-reinvent-live-tv-it-hasnt-been-easy-71f57bf5 |url-status=live |access-date=2026-04-16 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref> ==Metrics== With livestreaming becoming a financially viable market, particularly for esports, streamers and organizations representing them have looked for metrics to quantify the viewership of streams as to be able to determine pricing for advertisers. Metrics like maximum number of concurrent viewers, or number of subscribers do not readily account for how long a viewer may stay to watch a stream.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://esportsobserver.com/nielsen-owl-ama-viewership-intro/ | title = Esports' Quest for the Average Minute Audience | first = Graham | last = Ashton | date = September 11, 2019 | access-date = October 3, 2019 | work = The Esports Observer | archive-date = October 3, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191003231905/https://esportsobserver.com/nielsen-owl-ama-viewership-intro/ | url-status = live }}</ref> The most common metric is the "[[average minute audience]]" (AMA), which is obtained by taking the total minutes watched by all viewers on the stream during the streamed event and for 24 hours afterwards, divided by the number of minutes that were broadcast. The AMA is comparable to the same metric that the [[Nielsen ratings]] for tracking viewership.
This also makes it possible to combine standard broadcast and streaming routes for events that are simulcasted on both forms of delivery to estimate total audience size<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.twingalaxies.com/feed_details.php/5903/overwatch-league-claims-record-viewer-numbers-in-2019-season/9 | title = Overwatch League Claims Record Viewer Numbers in 2019 Season | first = Jason | last = Fanelli | date = October 3, 2019 | access-date = October 3, 2019 | work = [[Twin Galaxies]] | archive-date = October 3, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191003231904/https://www.twingalaxies.com/feed_details.php/5903/overwatch-league-claims-record-viewer-numbers-in-2019-season/9 | url-status = live }}</ref> Major events with reported AMA include streamed [[National Football League]] games; for example, the average AMA for NFL games in 2018 ranged from 240,000 to 500,000 across streaming services,<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.foxsports.com/presspass/latest-news/2018/12/14/2018-thursday-night-football-increases-4-vs-2017-10-game-thursday-night-football-average | title = 2018 Thursday Night Football Increases +4% vs. 2017 10-Game Thursday Night Football Average | date = December 14, 2018 | access-date = October 3, 2019 | work = [[Fox Sports]] | archive-date = October 3, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191003231902/https://www.foxsports.com/presspass/latest-news/2018/12/14/2018-thursday-night-football-increases-4-vs-2017-10-game-thursday-night-football-average | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2019/01/03/Media/NFL-Viewership.aspx | title = NFL Wraps '18 Season Up 5%, With All TV Partners Seeing Gains | first = Austin | last = Karp | date = January 3, 2019 | access-date = October 3, 2019 | work = [[Sports Business Daily]] | archive-date = October 3, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191003231903/https://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2019/01/03/Media/NFL-Viewership.aspx | url-status = live }}</ref> with the following [[Super Bowl LIV]] having an AMA of 2.6 million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2019/02/05/super-bowl-liii-set-streaming-records-while-tv-viewership-saw-massive-drop/|title=Super Bowl LIII set streaming records, while TV viewership saw massive drop|date=5 February 2019|access-date=25 June 2021|archive-date=9 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409055402/https://techcrunch.com/2019/02/05/super-bowl-liii-set-streaming-records-while-tv-viewership-saw-massive-drop/|url-status=live}}</ref> In comparison, the esports [[Overwatch League]] had an average of 313,000 average minute audience during regular season games in its 2019 season.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.wsj.com/articles/activision-blizzard-esports-league-tries-a-nielsen-metric-to-take-on-traditional-sports-11567591201 | title = Activision Blizzard Esports League Tries a Nielsen Metric to Take on Traditional Sports | first = Sahil | last = Patel | date = September 4, 2019 | access-date = October 3, 2019 | work = [[The Wall Street Journal]] | archive-date = October 1, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191001123219/https://www.wsj.com/articles/activision-blizzard-esports-league-tries-a-nielsen-metric-to-take-on-traditional-sports-11567591201 | url-status = live }}</ref>
==Risks in streaming== {{Further|Livestreamed crime}} Many instances of serious crimes such as [[rape]] and [[assault]], along with [[suicide]]s, have been streamed live, leaving little to no time for administrators to remove the offending content. Livestreamed crimes became a trend in the mid-2010s with widely reported incidents such as assaults and suicide streamed through Periscope in 2016<ref name="Blaise">{{cite news|last1=Blaise|first1=Lilia|title=Suicide on Periscope Prompts French Officials to Open Inquiry|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/12/world/europe/periscope-suicide-france.html?_r=0|access-date=28 January 2017|newspaper=New York Times|date=7 July 2017|archive-date=13 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813002811/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/12/world/europe/periscope-suicide-france.html?_r=0|url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[2017 Chicago torture incident|kidnapping of a man in Chicago]] streamed through Facebook Live in 2017.<ref name="Chicago Tribune, January 5, 2017">{{cite web|last1=Meisner|first1=Jason|last2=Lee|first2=William|last3=Schmadeke|first3=Steve|title=Brutal Facebook Live attack brings hate-crime charges, condemnation from White House|website=[[The Chicago Tribune]]|date=2017-01-05|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-facebook-live-attack-video-20170105-story.html|access-date=2017-07-07|archive-date=2017-01-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170126231319/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-facebook-live-attack-video-20170105-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A [[Jacksonville Landing shooting|mass shooting in Jacksonville, Florida]], resulting in the deaths of two in addition to the shooter, occurred during a ''[[Madden NFL 19]]'' tournament.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/buzzfeednews/madden-shooting-jacksonville?bfsplash|title=Multiple People Were Killed In A Mass Shooting At A Madden Gaming Event In Jacksonville|work=BuzzFeed News|access-date=2018-08-26|language=en|archive-date=2020-06-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614021949/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/buzzfeednews/madden-shooting-jacksonville?bfsplash|url-status=live}}</ref> Part of the [[Christchurch mosque shootings]] was streamed on Facebook Live by the perpetrator for 17 minutes.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Elle|last1=Hunt|first2=Kevin|last2=Rawlinson|first3=Calla|last3=Wahlquist|access-date=16 March 2019|title='Darkest day': how the press reacted to the Christchurch shootings|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/16/darkest-day-how-the-press-reacted-to-the-christchurch-shootings|newspaper=The Guardian|date=16 March 2019|issn=0261-3077|via=www.theguardian.com|archive-date=16 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190316031430/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/16/darkest-day-how-the-press-reacted-to-the-christchurch-shootings|url-status=live}}</ref>
Additionally, livestreaming to large audiences carries the risk that viewers may commit crimes both remotely and in person. Twitch co-founder Justin Kan had been a frequent target of [[swatting]]. An incident occurred in April 2017 at the [[Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport]] when a viewer called in a [[bomb threat]] and named streamer [[Ice Poseidon]] as the culprit, temporarily shutting down the airport.<ref name="rolling">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/news/a-day-with-las-most-wanted-life-streamer-ice-poseidon-w486841|title=On Air With LA's Most Wanted Man, 'Life Streamer' Ice Poseidon|author=Partin, Will|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=June 9, 2017|access-date=2017-07-22|archive-date=2018-06-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612145512/https://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/news/a-day-with-las-most-wanted-life-streamer-ice-poseidon-w486841|url-status=dead}}</ref> They may also be victim to [[stalking]] as with other celebrities; for example, a teenager showed up uninvited to a streamer's house and requested to live with him after having saved up for a one-way transcontinental flight.<ref name="Kotaku1">{{Cite web|last1=D'Anastasio|first1=Cecilia|title=When Fans Take Their Love For Twitch Streamers Too Far|work=[[Kotaku]]|date=2017-05-02|url=http://kotaku.com/when-fans-take-their-love-for-twitch-streamers-too-far-1794815112|df=mdy-all|access-date=2017-08-27|archive-date=2017-08-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170828223135/http://kotaku.com/when-fans-take-their-love-for-twitch-streamers-too-far-1794815112|url-status=live}}</ref> A Taiwan-based American streamer fell victim to a [[doxing]] and targeted harassment campaign by a Taiwanese streamer, coordinated through a private Facebook group with 17,000 members "whose activities involved tracking [his] whereabouts," death threats and "the distribution of his parents’ U.S. phone number and address". Twitch responded by temporarily suspending the harassed streamer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/2/5/16896818/twitch-cjayride-taiwan-cj-ck-ban-facebook-doxing|title=American Twitch IRL streamer details doxing and targeted harassment campaign in Taiwan|first=Alexander|last=Julia|date=February 5, 2018|access-date=March 23, 2018|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|archive-date=March 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324101706/https://www.polygon.com/2018/2/5/16896818/twitch-cjayride-taiwan-cj-ck-ban-facebook-doxing|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Research== Live content streaming has been the topic of numerous papers examining ways to cultivate online communities through live interaction and increase attendance numbers with engaging content.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Does Live Streaming Hurt In-Person Attendance? |url=https://igigocommunications.com/does-live-streaming-hurt-in-person-attendance/ |url-status=live |website=Igigo Communications |date=16 February 2020 |access-date=30 November 2022 |archive-date=30 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130192716/https://igigocommunications.com/does-live-streaming-hurt-in-person-attendance/ }}</ref> The livestreaming platform [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]] is a common focus among researching trying to transfer its user engagement success to other applications such as improving student participation and learning in [[massive open online course]]s (MOOCs).<ref>{{cite book|url=https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/2556288.2557048|title=Streaming on twitch: fostering participatory communities of play within live mixed media|first=William|last=Hamilton|series=Chi '14|date=April 2014|pages=1315–1324|doi=10.1145/2556288.2557048|isbn=9781450324731|s2cid=107637|access-date=April 5, 2021|archive-date=April 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409223200/https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/2556288.2557048|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}}
==See also== * [[Streaming television]] * [[Livestreamed news]] * [[National Streaming Day]] * [[Online streamer]] * [[Webcast]]
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{Commons category-inline|Live streaming}}
{{Internet streaming services}} {{Portal bar|Olympic Games|Sports}} {{Authority control}}
[[Category:Livestreaming| ]] [[Category:New media]] [[Category:Internet broadcasting]] [[Category:Streaming]]