YouTube Opens Mobile Live Streaming to Creators with 10k+ Subscribers

YouTube is now letting creators with at least 10,000 subscribers live-stream mobile video, and it promises that “the rest of you will have it soon.”

The company has supported live streaming on its website since 2011 but began a small beta test of mobile live streaming on iOS devices last summer. The live streaming features are super easy to use. All users have to do is open the YouTube app, tap the “capture” button, and their broadcasts will be sent out to their subscribers.

After the live stream ends, the video will be posted to YouTube, where it will be searchable alongside traditional YouTube content.

The company implemented a few nice to have features during the beta, including the ability to slow down live chat and ensure each device has solid streaming quality.

Creators will be able to earn money through broadcasts thanks to a feature called “Super Chat,” which lets viewers “stand out from the crowd and get a creator’s attention” through the purchase of chat messages. These chat bubbles are highlighted in bright colours and are pinned at the top of the live chat for a time period of up to five hours.

In a blog post today, YouTube announced that Super Chat will be available for creators in more than 20 countries and viewers in more than 40 countries.

YouTube is entering the mobile live streaming market in a very crowded and competitive field, with companies like Facebook and Twitter already dominating the market.

[via YouTube Official Blog]