Live streaming platforms and apps allow users to broadcast live video content to a large audience over the internet. Examples include YouTube Live, Facebook Live, Twitch, and Periscope. These platforms and apps can be used for a variety of purposes, such as live events, gaming, education, and personal broadcasting. Users can interact with the broadcaster and other viewers in real-time through chat and other features.
- YouTube Live is a feature of the popular video-sharing platform YouTube that allows users to broadcast live video content to a large audience over the internet. With YouTube Live, users can stream live events, create live shows, or just share their daily lives with others in real-time. YouTube Live streams can be public, unlisted, or private, and viewers can interact with the broadcaster through live chat, Q&A sessions, and other interactive features. Once the live stream is finished, it is automatically archived and can be watched on-demand. Additionally, YouTube Live also allows monetization, which means you can earn money from your live streams through Super Chat, Channel memberships, and other ways.
- Facebook Live is a feature of the social media platform Facebook that allows users to broadcast live video content to their friends, followers, or the public. With Facebook Live, users can stream live events, share their daily lives, or provide real-time updates on a specific topic. Facebook Live streams can be public, friends-only, or only visible to a specific group of people. Viewers can interact with the broadcaster through live comments and reactions, and the live video is automatically archived and can be watched on-demand after the broadcast is over. Facebook Live is available on both the Facebook website and mobile app, and it can also be integrated with other apps and platforms, such as OBS and XSplit, to enable professional streaming.
- Twitch is a live streaming platform primarily focused on video game streaming, but also used for other forms of entertainment such as music, talk shows, and creative content. Twitch allows users, known as streamers, to broadcast live video of themselves playing video games and interact with their audience in real-time through a chat feature. Viewers can also follow and subscribe to their favorite streamers and receive notifications when they go live. Twitch also provides tools for streamers to monetize their content through subscriptions, donations, and advertising revenue. Additionally, Twitch also offers a variety of features such as the ability to host other channels, join or create communities, and host tournaments and events.
- Periscope is a live video streaming app that allows users to broadcast live video to a large audience over the internet. Periscope was acquired by Twitter in 2015 and it allows users to stream live video from their mobile devices and interact with their audience in real-time through a chat feature. Viewers can also send virtual gifts to the broadcaster, and the live video is automatically archived and can be watched on-demand after the broadcast is over. Periscope also allows users to discover live video streams happening around the world by browsing through a map feature. In addition to live streaming, Periscope also allows users to save their broadcasts to the camera roll, and share them on social media platforms. In 2020, Twitter announced that it will be retiring Periscope, however, the functionality of Periscope will be integrated into Twitter.
