LIFE IS JUST A STREAM

Learn the ins and outs of streaming with Sam Lewis

- Sam Lewis

LIVE STREAMING HAS taken off in the past decade, to the point where it’s now ubiquitous across many social media platforms. So what is it? Live streaming is when video or audio content is simultaneously recorded and broadcast in real-time via the internet. Twitch and YouTube remain the most popular sites, but you can also find live streaming on social media sites, such as Facebook and Snapchat.

Live streaming is a great platform to watch your favorite content and experience the anticipation you get when watching live television. Gaming is one of its most popular forms, but it isn’t the only reason to get into streaming. There are all types of media you can stream: lifestyle, sports, podcasts, craft, work, vlogs, travel, music, and much more—as long as it’s legal (for obvious reasons), you can stream it.

In fact, the best way to explain live streaming is that it’s the internet’s version of TV, only with a lot more creative freedom and the opportunity for everyone to have a go. If you have some charisma and talent, combined with a bit of luck, you can even make a living from it.

Year after year, the live streaming industry is growing in size and popularity. It is estimated that it will reach upwards of $70 billion by the end of 2021, which is pretty impressive, considering it only started to gain traction around ten years ago. Thanks to live streaming, the internet has become a great place to get the live content you’re after. No longer confined to passive consumption of stuffy TV schedules, with live streaming, there is more scope for two-way communication and getting to know your favorite creators.