April 9, 2011
Another sign that Google is positioning YouTube to compete with broadcast and cable TV, as well as other video-streaming services like Hulu and Netflix: YouTube Live, a new branch of the hugely popular video-sharing service, debuted on Friday. As its name suggests, YouTube Live provides live-streaming events rather than the recorded videos found on the regular YouTube site.
The new live-streaming service includes YouTube Live, a home page where you'll find events streaming at this very moment, as well as information on events slated for today, tomorrow, and the next seven days. When you subscribe to one or more YouTube Live partners, you'll be notified of upcoming live streams on your YouTube homepage.
YouTube has streamed a variety of live events in the past, including musical events and cricket matches. But the new live channel is a more concerted effort to establish YouTube as a broadcast-style destination for real-time entertainment.
Initially, the live-streaming beta program will only allow select YouTube partners "with accounts in good standing" to stream live content on the site.
"The goal is to provide thousands of partners with the capability to live stream from their channels in the months ahead," wrote Siegel and Hamilton. "In order to ensure a great live stream viewing experience, we'll roll this offering out incrementally over time."
The addition of live programming might also give YouTube a competitive edge over Hulu Plus and Netflix, neither of which currently streams live events.
Initially, the live-streaming beta program will only allow select YouTube partners "with accounts in good standing" to stream live content on the site.
"The goal is to provide thousands of partners with the capability to live stream from their channels in the months ahead," wrote Siegel and Hamilton. "In order to ensure a great live stream viewing experience, we'll roll this offering out incrementally over time."
The addition of live programming might also give YouTube a competitive edge over Hulu Plus and Netflix, neither of which currently streams live events.
