You no longer have to record a TV programme on a physical recorder, such as old-school VHS tapes, so you can watch it later. Streaming technology allows you to watch what you want when you want.
This is a revolution in the entertainment world. Some say it was started by Apple with the introduction of iTunes. Before iTunes was unveiled, most streaming sites were illegal, and Apple was the first big manufacturer to fully commit.
Sites like iTunes, Spotify, Xfinity, Link TV, Netflix, and Hulu are a more natural fit for the younger generation of digital natives, and the paid sites mainly work on a subscription-based business model, which is gaining popularity in all sectors. It is not just the TV and music world that has been changed by streaming technology, it is affecting many different parts of our lives.
Using Streaming Technology For Marketing
Technology has taken over the world of communications and streaming marketing is proving to be a very effective tool. It is thought that watching a video is not as boring as reading an advert and proves more useful to most users. Businesses are using social media to share their videos, and as well as reaching far more people than any other more traditional marketing methods, it can also cost much less.
If someone wants to know how to repair their printer, how to make a particular cake, how to use a certain computer program, videos can provide the answer for them. While streaming is on-demand and provides greater convenience, live streaming is also gaining popularity in situations that benefit from real-time interactions.
Some sporting events can be live streamed, as many people want to see them in real time. Situations where you would normally interact with someone benefits from live streaming, such as live online roulette, which includes real-time interactions with human dealers, making the experience more immersive and realistic.
As a promotional tool, Starbucks has been streaming since 2016, Martha Stewart has streamed several ‘how-to’ videos, and Dunkin Donuts relies on visuals to sell its products. A very successful example of using streaming technology for marketing is the Tastemade brand.
They shared the Tiny Kitchen, which uses miniatures to cook miniature versions of their recipes. They have had over three million views and will continue to use streaming to enhance their success.
The Future Of Live Streaming Technology
There is no doubt streaming and live streaming technology is here to stay and will get even better as further technological advances are made. They are already available on most digital devices and could be the end of television as we know it. As most streaming takes place on computers, smartphones, and tablets, unless televisions become more like them, there will be very little need for a traditional TV. You do not need to be at home to watch a live sporting event or a music concert from the other side of the world, you can watch it on your device no matter where you are.
The choice is now up to businesses as to how much they utilise streaming technology, but most of them seem to be embracing it and making the most of the potential it offers.