Recently, we have been hearing the phrase “live streaming” more and more often. With the steady improvement of the Internet environment and the spread of smartphones and tablet devices, live streaming has become commonplace in our daily lives. In addition, demand for live streaming has increased rapidly due to increased attention to contactless services due to the global pandemic and the arrival of a new internet era called 5G. In this article, we will explain in detail the various features and monetization of topics, starting with “What is live streaming?”
What is live video streaming?
As the name suggests, a live video distribution service refers to a service that distributes video in real time. Unlike live TV broadcasts, video is distributed using a platform on the Internet using smartphones, PCs, and tablet devices. By utilizing the live streaming function, which is a technology that downloads and plays the distribution data at the same time, the distributed video will be able to reach users in real time. Since live videos can be viewed at the same time as downloading, there is no waiting time for downloading, and viewing users can easily enjoy videos delivered without stress. In addition, in recent years, live streamers are also called “livers,” and there are people who are active in various fields and show off their performances through live streaming to live streaming viewers. The scope of their activities continues to expand with the spread of live streaming apps, and live streamers who monetize based on live streaming are starting to appear one after another.
Features of live streaming
From here, we will explain in detail the characteristics of live streaming.
Real-time video distribution
Live video distribution utilizes the “live streaming” function, which is a streaming technology, to deliver videos to viewing users. Unlike on-demand distribution, which distributes pre-recorded videos, this service has the characteristic that live video is delivered to viewers in real time.
You can watch live streaming from anywhere
Live streaming can be viewed not only on PC, but also on smartphones and tablet devices. Therefore, you can easily enjoy live streaming videos from anywhere, such as while commuting to work or school, while doing housework, or while waiting for a while. This ease of use, which is different from TV, is likely leading to an increase in the number of users.
Live broadcasters and video viewers can receive communications
One of the best parts of live streaming is that within the platform, the live broadcaster and viewer can communicate. Many platforms have a place where you can enter comments during the actual live broadcast, and depending on the situation, viewers can post their own comments in the comment section. In fact, live streamers can live stream while viewing the comments section, and the feature is that they can instantly respond to the many comments received from viewing users. By using this function, you can easily communicate with live streamers with whom you may not be able to communicate in your daily life.
In addition, the comment section of the live streamer will be filled with posted comments, and the more comments there are, the better the branding of the live stream will be, and the more attention it will attract. From the viewer’s perspective, it is possible to have time to enjoy a valuable experience that can only be enjoyed at that time, and this will further expand the range of areas in which live streaming can be enjoyed. In this way, being able to easily have an extraordinary experience can be said to be the best part of using live streaming for both live broadcasters and viewers.
A wide variety of distribution apps
In recent years, the size of the live streaming market has continued to expand year by year due to the spread of the Internet environment, smartphones, and tablet devices. It can also be said that the spread of live streaming apps has been supported by the sudden increase in attention to contactless services in the wake of the global pandemic. Therefore, many live streaming apps are currently appearing in Japan. The main function of any live streaming app is chat streaming, but keep in mind that the larger the number of streaming apps, the different functions they have, and there are streaming apps that specialize in various genres. Recently, the live streaming market has become even more exciting, with the emergence of streaming apps that specialize in not only chat streaming but also live streaming of music and live gaming, and the market is also responding to the diversification of viewing users. .
In addition, for streaming apps with a large number of downloads or with good reviews, it can be expected that there will be a large number of users participating in the live streaming, and a large number of users is evidence of the popularity and live streaming itself. . With popular live streaming apps, you will have many opportunities to interact with many users, which will further increase your enjoyment of live streaming. In order to enjoy live streaming even more, it is important for viewers to find a streaming app that matches their hobbies and preferences among the many streaming apps available.
“Tipping coins” service unique to live streaming
As I briefly mentioned at the beginning, in recent years, live broadcasters are also called “livers.” Livers deliver their performances to viewers through live streaming. Livers have a wide age range, starting from the young, and people of all ages and genders can be active, and the population of livers is on the rise not only in Japan but also worldwide.
There are live broadcasters called livers who are able to make money through their own live broadcasts.
Live streaming apps have an innovative feature called “Tipping”, which is a system in which viewing users pay money to the live streamer in the form of a so-called “tip”. Viewers can pay money to support their favorite live streamer’s performance, and by being able to gift money themselves, they can feel closer to their favorite live streamer. Imagine the “street live performances” that you often saw a few years ago. It used to be a status to perform on the street and get tips thrown in, but now there has been a change where tipping is done online through live streaming apps. The live streaming management company and the live broadcaster share the profits from the actual “tip coins” thrown in.
Live streaming app
Currently, there are many live streaming apps in Japan. By choosing a live streaming app that matches your hobbies and preferences, you can maximize the enjoyment of live streaming. From here, we will introduce some popular live streaming apps.
“17 LIVE (Ichinana)”
The “17 LIVE” app can be said to be the most popular live streaming app in Japan right now. It is originally an app that originated in Taiwan, and service started in Japan in 2017. They currently have bases in six locations around the world, and in September 2021 they announced that the company name and service name, which is called “Ichinana Live” in Japan, will be unified to “One Seven Live” worldwide. The number of users has exceeded 50 million worldwide, and it is gaining popularity because auditions and various events are always held. In addition, live broadcasts by celebrities are actively being conducted and are attracting attention.
“Pococha”
Pococha is a live communication distribution app operated by DeNA. Released in 2017. A feature of Pococha is that the distance between live broadcasters and viewing users is close. There is a system in place that allows you to support the live streamers by making it possible to donate money for free by meeting certain conditions, such as commenting during the live stream. This kind of strong support system is also the reason why it has gained such high support from viewing users.
“TwitCasting”
TwitCasting is a live streaming app with a relatively long history, having been released in 2010, and is gaining popularity among young people. In addition to the main feature of live streaming, it also has a live audio streaming function (radio streaming) that uses only still images and audio, so it is suitable for users who are new to live streaming or who want to start live streaming without showing their face. This is a highly recommended live streaming app. In addition, if you do not need to use the comment function, you can enjoy live streaming without any complicated registration, but using comments allows you to enjoy the communication unique to live streaming even more. Therefore, we recommend creating an account.
Live streaming – YouTube
Currently, YouTube has a large number of active users and has grown into a video platform that has become a natural part of people’s lives. YouTube has channels of video distributors specializing in various genres, and viewers can select and watch videos that match their interests. Famous streamers are called “YouTubers,” and their popularity is increasing year by year, with “YouTuber” ranking high among the jobs that modern children want to have in the future. YouTube is attracting such attention, and its use as a powerful platform for live streaming is expanding. When performing live streaming, YouTube, where a huge number of active users gather, has a high possibility of being viewed by many viewers, and being able to communicate with a variety of users regardless of age or gender is a big benefit of YouTube’s live streaming. You could say it’s an advantage. With YouTube live streaming, not only can you watch the broadcast in real time, but you can also communicate with many users by using the chat function.
Additionally, YouTube has a unique feature called “Super Chat,” which is a system that allows viewers to give money to live streamers through Super Chat. Since you can easily give gifts to your favorite live streamers to express your support and gratitude, the relationship between live streamers and viewing users will deepen, which will bring many benefits to both parties.
One of the features of YouTube live streaming is the ability to record the live broadcast and distribute the video later. This feature is called “archiving” and is a convenient feature for live broadcasters and viewing users. Live streaming is based on real-time streaming, and streaming “on the spot, at that moment” is highly rare and has a special feel. For example, even if you “missed your favorite live broadcast,” the archive will allow you to go back and watch the live broadcast that has already been broadcast. Live broadcasters can set the presence or absence of archives themselves, but viewing users are not necessarily able to watch the live broadcast in real time, and by making full use of the archive, it is possible to broadcast live to more viewing users. This will create an opportunity for you to watch. Archive settings also play an important role from the viewer’s perspective.
Live streaming monetization
Once again, regarding monetization of live streaming, monetization is carried out through the innovative feature within the live streaming app, “tossing coins”. This groundbreaking service has greatly established the value of Liver as a new business model. When money is actually generated through “tossing coins”, the profits are distributed between the live broadcaster and the live broadcast management company, resulting in a system that ultimately generates revenue for both parties. Please keep in mind that the revenue distribution rate varies depending on the contract and regulations between the live broadcaster and each live distribution company, so live broadcasters considering monetization will need to compare and consider distribution companies.
summary
What is live streaming? We have introduced the characteristics of live streaming and monetization, which is gaining attention. The live streaming market has expanded significantly over the past few years and is popular among a wide range of age groups. Live streaming has become popular as a form of daily entertainment, and recently, popular live streams have appeared one after another, the market has become exciting, and it has become possible to monetize it. Another factor that has accelerated the expansion of the live streaming market is the increased demand for enjoying live streaming as a form of entertainment at home due to the global pandemic. In the future, such contactless services will continue to attract attention and will continue to evolve with the times.