broadcasting
Latest
Invite all your Twitch friends to a stream or broadcast
Twitch's social network-like Friends feature just got more useful if you want more company for streaming or broadcasting. A new feature called "Activity Sharing" will notify your entire Friends list if you're doing something interesting so they can join in. Conversely, you can check your Friends list to see what others are doing and join in, as shown in the GIF below. Users can keep broadcasts or streams private, if they prefer, by un-ticking the "share my activity" box.
BBC iPlayer will require a TV licence from September
For years, people have used BBC iPlayer as a way to avoid the licence fee. If you watched everything on-demand, rather than tuning in live, it meant you didn't have to pay the age-old subscription. The British government has wanted to close this so-called "iPlayer loophole" for some time and, finally, their wish is being granted. From September 1st, you'll need a licence fee for anything TV-related by the BBC. It doesn't matter which device you use -- smartphone, PC or set-top box -- everything will count.
Vine is a sinking ship but one worth saving
If you haven't checked in on Vine recently, you might find that the six-second video network looks a little less vibrant than it used to. The service has seen most of its high-profile creators move over to other platforms, while executives are quitting en masse. Vine now exists in a state of unmanaged decline, its enormous potential withering away in the sunlight. Twitter may have shown extraordinary prescience in acquiring Vine, but it's clear that nobody has a clue how it should work.
New stats show how many newspaper jobs the internet has claimed
Anyone reading this, an article that exists only on the internet, is aware of the dramatic shift that's taken place in the media world since the 1990s. As internet penetration has grown, newspaper sales have dipped dramatically, as have traditional newspaper jobs. New research from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics quantifies these losses -- and they're hefty.
Go Live on Facebook's Windows 10 app
Rejoice everyone using the Facebook app on Windows 10: Now you can start a Facebook Live broadcast from your tablet or desktop. Pretty neat, right? As WinBeta notes, the update is slowly rolling out, so you might not see the "Go Live" button (screenshotted below) in the status update field just yet. Previously, this was only available via the mobile apps, but we're living in the future so anything's possible these days. Who knows, it might not be long before we see the next Chewbacca mask video.
Nokia's Ozo camera now broadcasts live VR
Now that live virtual reality is hitting the mainstream, you need a camera to make it happen, don't you? Nokia is happy to help. It's creating a live VR broadcasting option for its Ozo camera that will show 360-degree video as it happens, complete with spatial audio. You aren't likely to use this yourself when it costs about $60,000 to get an Ozo, but it'll be a big deal for streaming providers and other broadcasters that want to experiment with VR. It'll reach a handful of partners in the spring, and should be widely available this summer.
![[Image credit: Shutterstock]](https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/pJVCjenFfS3jPUSnKEVZAA--~B/Zmk9ZmlsbDtoPTQ2ODtweW9mZj0wO3c9ODMyO2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u/https://o.aolcdn.com/dims-shared/dims3/GLOB/crop/4608x2575+0+496/resize/1400x782!/format/jpg/quality/85/https://o.aolcdn.com/hss/storage/midas/8ff41de22ff12ee56ffdfa0d4bb7a342/202803871/stock-photo-london-may-bbc-broadcasting-house-in-london-uk-on-may-the-building-is-the-196944599.jpg.cf.jpg)
The BBC wants ITV to keep its opinions to itself
At the end of 2016, the BBC will be given its next Royal Charter, which will define its duties as a public service broadcaster for the following decade. While the UK government will ultimately agree the finer details of the next Charter with the BBC, earlier this year it put out the first call for opinions on what the future remit of the broadcaster should be. ITV made a point of publishing the report it submitted as part of the public consultation process, with one of the main recommendations being a requirement that the BBC focus on delivering distinctive programming, not chasing audience figures. This obviously ruffled a few feathers at the BBC, today provoking the broadcaster to defend its creative decisions and go about debunking some of ITV's more accusatory claims.
Twitch is holding a game-broadcasting convention this September
Want to meet up with your favorite game broadcasters? Of course you do, and with Twitch's inaugural convention, aptly dubbed "TwitchCon," later this year you totally can. There aren't a ton of details yet, but it takes place in San Francisco from Friday September 25th to Saturday the 26th. The live-streaming giant promises ways to elevate your broadcasting game and chances to meet your followers (or maybe even your idols) too, which makes us think it's going to be more along the lines of VidCon or PlayList Live than something like the Penny Arcade Expo. The very notion of a Twitch convention likely wouldn't be possible without that massive influx of cash from Amazon last year, and this is a sign of how far online video's grown (especially game-focused stuff) lately. What's more, this is indicative of just how popular Twitch has become as a platform in a relatively short period of time. Planning on attending? Hit the comments and let us know. [Image credit: camknows/Flickr]
Steam Broadcasting grabs popcorn, exits beta
Valve added Steam Broadcasting to its PC distribution platform in an update this week, taking its livestreaming solution for games out of beta. Those that update Steam can now change their settings to determine whether to enable broadcasting and limit it to their friends list. Providing the streaming service is enabled, gameplay video will automatically broadcast when players start their games. Valve announced the Twitch alternative in December. According to Steam's support page, the service will only broadcast gameplay video by default, though players can opt to stream a video of other apps on their computers, allowing for broadcasts such as instructional videos. It also records the audio that plays through the default speakers on the broadcaster's computer, so those hoping to include audio from another source will have to find a work-around for the time being. Head to your Steam friends list and select "watch game" to check the broadcasting service out. [Image: Valve]
CoD: Advanced Warfare gets 6 million viewers on Twitch in first week [Update]
Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is apparently as fun to watch as it is to play, given that players spent 5.4 million hours watching Twitch streams of the game in its first week. That figure came from Variety, which noted that over 75,000 broadcasters streamed gameplay footage of Advanced Warfare on Twitch, resulting in more than 26 million views by six million people across all videos during the week. As Twitch confirmed via Twitter, Advanced Warfare became the most streamed console game on Twitch of the year "based on launch week comparisons." The latest Call of Duty dethroned Destiny, which saw five million unique viewers during its introductory week in September. The streaming platform, which was acquired by Amazon for nearly $1 billion in August, has in fact seen better weeks: After inking a three-year deal to become the Electronic Entertainment Expo's official streaming partner in March, 12 million viewers tuned in to Twitch during E3 2014 in June. Update: As a point of clarification, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare was the console game with the biggest launch week of the year on Twitch based on the number of streamers, but has not been confirmed as the most streamed game of the year on the platform. We've updated the article and headline to reflect this. [Image: Activision]
PSA: Twitch chat links are phishing for Steam logins
Some Twitch users are experiencing a number of phishing attempts within the video game broadcast service's chat windows. Twitch's support team on Twitter advised that viewers avoid clicking the "csgoprize" link that may appear in stream chats, as it is "a phishing attempt to install malware and compromise your Steam account." Twitch did not disclose how widespread the issue is. The support team said it will "work to block that link," but that variants of the phishing attempt may sprout up in the future. It added that "in general, you should be wary of any links in chat." As for ways broadcasters can prevent further issues, they can enable a "Block Hyperlinks" option within Twitch's Channels and Videos settings to prevent viewers from adding their corrupt links to their stream's chat. [Image: Twitch]
Justin.tv shuts down as Twitch goes all-in on video game broadcasting
Twitch shut down Justin.tv this week, putting an end to the streaming platform's seven-year run, as the company is now focusing its resources on Twitch. Videos on Justin.tv are no longer available to view, and those with active premium pro accounts should receive an email about getting refunded. The shift in focus has been in the works for months, as the company formerly known as Justin.tv changed its corporate name to Twitch in February, the same time Twitch achieved one million active monthly broadcasters. Those with Justin.tv accounts that would like to move over to Twitch need to fill out a form on Twitch's site, though all requests must be received by September 5. However, Justin.tv broadcasters' videos are lost forever; VOD and video archiving support were removed on June 15.
Japan gets Niconico PS4 streaming on April 30
PlayStation 4 owners in Japan will have the option to stream gameplay to Niconico, a site that lets users upload, view and share video clips, starting April 30, Sony announced (as translated by Gematsu). Those visiting the Nico Nico Super Conference 3 on April 26 and April 27 will be able to test the streaming functionality in person before it arrives via firmware update. While the two updates may not be related, the upcoming 1.70 firmware for the console brings the ability to save videos and screenshots to a USB drive. The PS4 launched in Japan in February, selling 322,083 units in its opening weekend. According to a translation of the Niconico's website, it will begin offering free one-month trials for PS4 users shortly. The streaming service carries a monthly fee of about $5; it is unclear if the service will require a PlayStation Plus subscription as well. [Image: Sony]
Let the audience decide your fate in new Twitch-backed game
When some 1.1 million people played Pokémon together via Twitch's game-broadcasting service, developer Studio Bean must've gotten inspired. Choice Chamber takes the idea of the audience deciding what happens onscreen to a new level and injects Twitch chat into the game's DNA; here, the peanut gallery has a direct impact on the player's progression. As you make your way through a series of randomly generated rooms, the audience (people watching you broadcast via Twitch, of course) takes a series of polls that alter the game's flow. It's a lot like playing as dungeon master with your Dungeons and Dragons crew, but with a 21st century twist. As cool as voting on what weapon the player gets, or summoning a giant fist that wipes across the screen to obliterate a boss monster sounds, though, the project is only halfway to its $30,000 Kickstarter funding goal. With four days left in the campaign, Twitch has announced that it'll step in and match the funds needed to finish the game.
Microsoft announces Skype TX with studio-grade audio and video for broadcasters
Today, Microsoft's unveiling Skype TX, a new version of its VoIP service geared toward broadcasters. The service uses technology developed by Cat and Mouse -- a recent MSFT acquisition -- to offer the higher-quality audio and video output that media professionals require. (It also supports the broadcast-standard HD-SDI interface.) Skype TX can handle multiple calls at once through a single interface, and it will eliminate distractions such as call notifications and ads. Considering how often radio stations both big and small rely on Skype to beam in guests, TX definitely has a target audience. Microsoft hasn't addressed pricing or release timing, but we'll likely be getting a look at the product in action here at NAB.
Access Twitch servers from Paris, with love
Gameplay broadcasting platform Twitch announced the addition of servers in Paris, France, bolstering the service's stability in Europe. The Paris addition is just the latest in a string of Twitch overhauls; Twitch also upgraded its infrastructure this month in Dallas and London while Los Angeles got a facelift back in January. December saw an upgrade for Amsterdam, as well as a new a "point-of-presence" in Prague. Of course, this good news will particularly surface when Joystiq Streams eventually tours the globe, streaming games like Dark Souls 2 and Infamous: Second Son from exotic locales (hey, one can hope). Twitch's improvements in the past few months go beyond its infrastructure, as the company launched support for iOS and Android game streaming, as well as its app for Xbox One. Twitch also inked a deal to become E3's official streaming partner for three years following its corporate umbrella name change in February. [Image: Twitch]
First Twitch broadcasting iOS game is Gameloft racer Asphalt 8
The first mobile game to include Twitch broadcast options within the app is Gameloft's Asphalt 8: Airborne, Twitch announced today. An upcoming update for the iOS racing game will allow players to stream gameplay, their voices and faces using the iPhone and iPad's front-facing cameras and view their channel's chatroom while playing. Asphalt 8 broadcasters will also have the option to archive their streamed gameplay and share them with others. Twitch unveiled its expansion into the iOS and Android market with its software development kit earlier this month. following the company's official rebrand in February. Asphalt 8, currently free to download on the App Store, will receive its third, broadcast-enabling update "soon." Twitch broadcasting functionality in the game is optimized specifically for iPhone 5S, iPad Air and iPad Mini with Retina Display devices. [Image: Gameloft]
Xbox One Twitch broadcasting update hits tonight
Twitch broadcasting will land on Xbox One at 4PM PT (7PM ET) today, March 10, a full day before we expected it to hit. Twitch first announced that streaming capabilities on Xbox One would debut alongside Titanfall, which launches on March 11, or at midnight tonight. Twitch announced the new launch time on Twitter this morning. Xbox One's Twitch app is locked to Xbox Live Gold members. It's activated by saying "Xbox, broadcast," and will support archiving, unlike the PS4 version, Twitch VP of Marketing Matthew DiPietro told us in Feburary. [Image: Twitch]
Watch Major Nelson explain Twitch broadcasting on Xbox One
The imminent addition of Twitch broadcasting to the Xbox One has prompted preternaturally winsome Xbox spokesman Larry "Major Nelson" Hryb to narrate the above walkthrough of the service. Those familiar with Twitch broadcasting on the PlayStation 4 will notice that both services share a core simplicity, though the Xbox One incarnation of Twitch offers one major advantage over its Sony counterpart: broadcast archival. Whereas footage broadcast from the PlayStation 4 vanishes into the ether immediately after it airs, Xbox One users will find that Twitch stores their past broadcasts. To drive the point home, Hryb invites players to visit his own account, where they'll find footage from a number of recent gaming sessions broadcast via Twitch. While no single date has been pinned down for the debut of Twitch on Xbox One, Microsoft plans to launch the service at some point next week, just in time for the debut of Titanfall. [Image: Microsoft]
Twitch opens the doors for iOS and Android broadcasting
Video game broadcasting service Twitch announced an expansion of its streaming services to a new branch of gaming platforms today: mobile devices. Players will be able to stream, capture and archive gameplay on both Android and iOS once developers enable the functionality in their games with Twitch's new mobile software development kit. If implemented by developers, users will be able to toy with video capture options for front-facing cameras, audio capture using either internal or external microphones and the ability to archive streams on Twitch and upload them to sharing channels. Other features include the standard high, medium and low quality broadcast settings and integration of Twitch's chat system. The news follows the company's official rebrand in February, at which point it announced that it reached one million active broadcasters per month. Twitch noted in today's announcement that its mobile livestream viewing app has been installed more than 10 million times on Android and iOS. [Image: Twitch.tv]
