The Future of Interactive Streaming

The session hosted by Streaming Media during the StreamingMediaConnect conference brought together a round of experts including our CEO Oliver Lietz to cover the opportunities opened up by interactive streaming. For decades, television was a lean-back experience, but streaming opens up new avenues to all manner of interactivity, from simple polls and gamification to putting deep control of the viewing experience in the hands of the viewer. The implications for sports, gaming, betting, and auctions are obvious, but the possibilities are nearly limitless. The session highlighted what’s already happening in the world of interactive streaming, what’s in the works, and what might be possible in the future.

Moderator
Nadine Krefetz – Reality Software and Editor, Streaming Media
Speakers
Oliver Lietz – nanocosmos, CEO
Jennifer Kent – VP, Park Associates
Alex Lindsay – Head of Operations, 090 Media
Brian Miller – Director Innovation Development, LG Electronics

Key takeaways

Interactive live streaming has revolutionized the way people engage with content. From TV and OTT to business applications, interactive live streaming has opened up new avenues for engagement, education, and monetization. Each speaker who joined the panel brought a different perspective and angle to the discussion, so let’s review the scenarios covered and some of the key specifications needed for each one.

1. OTT scenarios:

Interactive streaming for OTT is a lean-back scenario allowing viewers to sit comfortably on their couch while engaging with the content. The interaction happens by providing feedback for merchandise, fan engagement, voting and polling. Latency is typically 5 to 10 seconds, but real-time streaming is not required as interactions are meant to be slower-paced. This enhances the viewing experience by allowing viewers to engage with content in a more meaningful way.

2.   2nd screen scenarios:

Second-screen apps for OTT are becoming increasingly popular among viewers. These apps offer a complementary experience for viewers by providing additional content and engagement opportunities while they watch their favorite shows. They also offer exclusive behind-the-scenes content, interviews with the cast and crew, and other immersive experiences. Second-screen apps not only enhance the viewing experience but also provide an opportunity for OTT providers to generate additional revenue streams through advertising and sponsorships. As the demand for personalized, interactive experiences grows, second-screen apps for OTT will continue to be an essential tool for OTT providers to engage with their viewers.

3.   Interactive business scenarios:

Interactive business applications with real-time interaction offer a range of possibilities for businesses to engage with their audience, involving both monetised and non-monetised models. Townhall meetings, educational webinars, live auctions, and betting/gambling are some of the applications that can benefit from real-time interaction. These applications allow businesses to connect with their customers in a more personalized and engaging way, providing real-time feedback and insights.
On the non-monetised scenarios, townhall meetings enable businesses to communicate with their employees, stakeholders, and customers in real-time, gathering feedback and addressing their concerns. Educational webinars offer interactive learning experiences, where students can ask questions and get immediate responses from instructors. Both of them require a streaming platform that can provide ultra-low latency for real-time interaction, while also allowing for easy use and global delivery regardless of the user’s connection or device access.
On the other hand, monetised use cases like gaming and betting aim to create an immersive and engaging experience for users by providing real-time  bidding opportunities and direct interaction with the game and/or dealer. The goal is to make the experience as enjoyable and exciting as possible, almost as if the user was in a real casino, for example. Such use cases, besides the natural need for ultra-low latency and global delivery, also require 24/7 operations at 100% uptime and reliability, as their business model depends on it. This means that they need to have a robust and scalable infrastructure that can handle the demands of a global business that never stops.

In conclusion, whether it’s a townhall meeting, educational webinar, live auction, or monetized gaming/betting platform, user-friendliness is crucial. The interactive elements for real-time engagement and monetization need to be designed with the user in mind, taking into consideration ease of use and accessibility. Additionally, having a high-quality video stream with ultra-low latency is essential to ensure synchronization with the live event, whether it’s a sports event or a live auction. By prioritizing user-friendliness and investing in the right streaming technology, businesses can create engaging and immersive interactive experiences that keep their audience coming back for more.

Are you interested in learning more about the world of interactive streaming? If so, we would love to help you. Our award-winning real-time streaming platform, nanoStream Cloud, is designed to enhance your interactive business applications and enable global audience engagement with the highest Quality of Service and Experience. If you are interested in bringing your business up to speed, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team.

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