NEW DELHI, June 6: Live streaming technology has come a long way since its inception, and live stream viewers in India are on the rise. This doesn’t just count those who watch people play games, but those who might watch explainer videos, product reviews, or other forms of live content. Indeed, live streaming has found applications across sectors and industry. What we currently do with live streaming could help inform how the tech could be utilized in the future. What could these opportunities unlock for India in the years to come?
Livestreaming in India
Livestreaming is already being deployed in several sectors in India. For instance, for Earth Day, Ricky Kej livestreamed a concert. The use of livestreaming enables people to watch something in real time, which saves money for both parties, and consolidates the time needed for actually doing it. From sport to eSports and gaming, and online entertainment, live streaming has been used successfully in India already in order to bridge the gap between new technology and traditional formats. Livestreaming Sport in India
The number of viewers of Hotstar’s Indian Premier League live have increased steadily, with 41 million in 2015 becoming 110 million in 2016, 130 million in 2017, and 202 million in 2018. 2019’s final figures for the IPL surpassed 300 million, with concurrent totals also being fairly impressive. The growing numbers show that livestreaming is helping more people access the sport. Streaming live sport in India helps connect with the eager fans who want to engage, but might not be able to feasibly go in person. Despite initial protests that perhaps live streaming would ruin the integrity of the sport, it has in fact opened the sport up, which will no doubt give it more spending power going forwards. Livestreaming Unlocked India’s eSports Industry 2018 saw the launch of India’s eSports league UCypher, which proved just how important live streaming had become in India. The platform was the first major eSports league in India and was set up based on high demand. Featuring six teams of veterans playing four games ? Counter Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, Tekken 7, and Real Cricket 2017 ? across 35 episodes, the show was broadcast on MTV India. The first of its kind, this helped add to the growing number of India gamers who had large audiences on Twitch and other professional live streaming platforms. Live streaming helped feed the appetite of those who wanted to watch others play and develop communities based around it. Furthermore, platforming eSports onto mainstream MTV, helped show the power of the industry and what could be accomplished with livestreaming. Livestreaming in Gaming
Livestreaming is also present in other aspects of gaming. For instance, Pok?mon Go can be livestreamed through YouTube and shared to fans of the game, and uses live stream technology itself to show you virtual Pok?mon in your direct environment. In the online casino industry, for example, Betway has many live table games such as poker, which use live streaming technology to allow players to interact with a real dealer and fellow players – a live experience that was previously impossible to augment just a decade ago. Moreover, multiplayer games such as Fortnite and Minecraft rely on state-of-the-art technology to allow all players to see the same landscapes at the same time. Live streaming is being deployed more often in gaming and online entertainment to give players the immediacy that the modern industry calls for. The Future of Livestreaming in India
Understanding what we can do with livestreaming in the future comes from seeing how it is being used, and how the innate qualities of livestreaming technology could be used as solutions to existing problems. India has a commitment to being a technological hub of the future, so harnessing livestreaming not only gives legitimacy to these claims, but shows how they can be enacted. Livestreaming for Virtual Learning
Virtual learning is the latest trend that has harnessed the benefits of live streaming to provide a service to eager users. Vonage has recently been approved by Next Education in order to create virtual learning amongst its existing web platform and app. Live lectures enable students not to have to be at the physical campus, when it comes to university learning. This helps open up certain courses and universities to those who might have the aptitude to attend, but aren’t in a position to physically do so. The real-time application of live streaming could be set to revolutionize this industry with a tangible solution that proves how useful live streaming can be. Indeed, YouTube channels dedicated to distance learning have seen a rise in viewers, and Singaporean company Lark Industries have made their video call software available for Indian citizens to use for free. Livestreaming in Business
Social media was a huge coup for marketers as it gave them a direct line to both current and potential customers. Have something go viral and you could count the sales coming in. Livestreaming enables businesses and brands to communicate directly to their audience to disseminate information, launch new products, or simply remind them they are there. The use of video when it comes to marketing is already having an impact ? with 64% of consumers claiming to make a purchase after viewing a video. As an example, Maybelline sold 10,000 lipsticks in two hours by hosting a live stream with Chinese actor Angelababy back in 2016. Source: https://twitter.com/ruima/status/726566966039699456 Live streaming offers many practical solutions for the future. We can see how these may work based on how they are currently being used. Not only does live streaming enhance existing sectors, such as gaming and sport, but it completely radicalizes others ? such as education and business. There have even been applications in industries we’d never previously have expected, as streaming tech has been utilized for mental health charities with the Agora.io integrated software. Live streaming has a multitude of uses, and the adoption of these fits in with India’s determination to be seen as a leading technological hub. (Disclaimer–Features may vary depending on the regions; subject to change without notice.)
(AGENCIES)
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