YouTube has streamed live events in the past, but it looks like it’s getting ready to make scheduled live video streaming a more permanent fixture. Partnering with a handful of its content partners, YouTube will be testing out “a new live streaming platform” today and tomorrow, with possible expansion to more YouTube account holders in the future.
“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 you engage with the broadcaster and the broader YouTube community. For the purpose of the trial, this offering will only be available today and tomorrow. Based on the results of this initial test, we’ll evaluate rolling out the platform more broadly to our partners worldwide.”
The first streaming show, Rocketboom, will go live at 8:00 AM Pacific/11:00 AM Eastern today, with videos from Howcast, Next New Networks, and Young Hollywood to follow.
While this live streaming functionality could eventually compete with streaming video sites like UStream and Justin.tv, it looks like it’ll be flipped on for YouTube’s preferred partner channels at first—not just anyone with a YouTube account. Video streaming for all may be on the roadmap, though YouTube will need to implement a strong system to prevent certain types of content from being streamed (out of market sporting events, movies, etc.).
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