"For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ."

- 1 Corinthians 12:12

If you're like most people, you probably don't think about how to live stream church services. But if you're a pastor or an ordained minister, it's something that's always on top of your mind. After all, with the popularity of streaming services like YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, and ESPN+, more people expect to watch what they want online. And, the same holds for religious congregations!

But how to setup live stream for church? Well, there are a few different options. You can use a professional service like Teyuto, which will give you the ability to build your custom church streaming platform. Or, you can use a simpler approach and just stream your service using Facebook Live or YouTube Live.

Either way, live streaming church services is a great way to reach people who could not physically attend your church. It also helps you to build community and connect with people from all over the world.

In this blog, we will get you through the nitty-gritty of livestreaming church services including why you should do it, how to set up a live stream for church, considerations while choosing your streaming platform, best practices for your live streams, and more.

By the end of this blog, you will know everything that you need to launch a church live-streaming service. So, in the glory of His name, let's get started!

Why should you Live Stream your Church Services?​

"And he said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.'"

- Mark 16:15

The most important reason to live stream church services online is to reach people who cannot physically attend your church. There are many reasons why someone might not be able to attend service in person. They may live in a different city, state, or country. They may have a physical disability that prevents them from attending service. Or, their schedule may not allow them to attend service every week (or every day for that matter).

Whatever the reason, God doesn’t differentiate! Live streaming allows you to take His messages to people and give them a first-hand experience of your ministry.

Here are some major factors to consider while live streaming church online:

1. Community Building​

A great reason to live stream your church services is to build community. In today's digital age, it's easy for people to feel isolated and alone. But when you live stream your church services, you provide a space for people to come together and connect with one another — even if they're not in the same physical location.

2. Worldwide Outreach​

When you livestream your church services, you can reach people from all over the world. This is especially beneficial if you have a large international congregation or if you want to start an online ministry.

3. Increased Engagement​

Live streaming can help increase engagement within your congregation. When people are able to watch and interact with the service from their homes, they're more likely to pay attention and participate in the service (as opposed to simply listening to it on the radio or watching it on TV). They can live comment, ask questions, and even share the service with their friends and family.

4. Accessibility​

Live streams can make your ministry more accessible to people with different needs. For example, if you have a hearing-impaired congregation member, they can still follow along with the service by reading the closed captions that are provided. Or, if you have a visually-impaired congregation member, they can listen to the audio of the service while following along with the annotated captions.

5. Increased Giving​

Live streaming can also help increase giving (both online and offline). When people are able to watch the service from home, they're more likely to give using your customized digital giving page. You can also create and add community service videos. And, when they see how much their donation is helping to impact lives around the world, they may be more likely to give again in the future.

6. Connection with Young Adults​

Many young adults today are digital natives — meaning they grew up with the internet and all things digital. Because of this, they're more likely to consume content online than offline. So, if you want to reach this demographic, live streaming your church services will work wonders.

It's not just about young adults though. In the post-COVID era, there has been a mass mobilization towards digital formats across all age groups.

7. Cost-Effective​

Live streaming your church services is a cost-effective way to reach more people. It's much cheaper than renting out a space or buying airtime on TV or radio. The setup costs are also minimal. All you need is a camera, an internet connection, and a live streaming service like Teyuto!

8. Increased Exposure​

When you live stream church online, you're increasing the exposure of your ministry to new people. If someone stumbles across it and likes what they see, they may be more likely to visit your website or social media pages (and even attend service in person). So, not only does live streaming help you reach more people, but it also helps you attract new members to your congregation.

9. Flexibility​

Live streaming gives you the flexibility to broadcast your church services at any time and from anywhere in the world. This is especially beneficial if you have members who are unable to attend service due to work commitments or other obligations. You can also use live streaming to offer alternative times for people to watch the service (e..g., early morning, late night, different timezone, etc.).

10. Improved SEO​

Lastly, live streaming can help improve your church's SEO (Search Engine Optimization). When you live stream your services and post the recordings on your website, you're providing fresh, relevant content that people are searching for online. This helps to increase your ranking in search engines like Google, which means more people will be able to find your church.

Now that we've gone over some of the key benefits of church live streaming, let's take a look at some considerations that you should keep while choosing a live-streaming platform.

How to Choose a Live Streaming Platform for Church?​

The first step in setting up your live stream is to choose which platform you will use. There are many different platforms that offer live streaming capabilities, but not all platforms are created equal. Here are some detailed considerations you must make when choosing a platform for your live stream.

1. Ease of Use​

You want a platform that is easy to use. Your streaming platform should not only equip you and your congregation with powerful streams but also create experiences that are unique and immersive. And, above everything else, it should maintain simplicity such that it can be used even if someone is not tech-savvy.

2. Quality​

The quality of your live stream is important — especially if you're live streaming in HD. The last thing you want is for your live stream to be glitchy or confusing. You want a platform that offers high-quality streams with minimal lag or buffering. And, you want a platform that gives you the ability to adjust the quality of your stream based on your followers' internet connection.

3. Reliability​

A Baptist church live stream can easily last for more than an hour and half. It doesn't become apparent at first but a lot of tech goes into live streaming. You can experience high traffic. Your congregants may stream from different devices. Their network connection may fluctuate. Simply put, there are too many moving pieces. Come what may, your live streaming service provider should hold everything together. You want a platform that is reliable and won't crash in the middle of your service. Also, your streaming service provider must have prompt customer support in case something does go wrong.

4. Pricing​

Pricing is a critical consideration when choosing a live streaming platform for your church services. You don't want to overspend on a platform that offers more than what you want. But, at the same time, you also don't want to skimp on quality just to save a few bucks. There are many affordable options out there — you just need to find the right balance based on your church's budget!

5. Donations & Commissions​

If you plan on collecting donations through your live streams, make sure your chosen platform allows for this. Also, learn about their commission structure. For instance, YouTube Live charges a flat 30% for every Super Chat. However, there are also others like Teyuto that allow you to keep 100% of your donations and memberships.

6. Marketing Add-ons​

If you want to use your live stream to promote your church or ministry, make sure your chosen platform offers marketing add-ons. For example, some platforms allow you to add pop-ups and call-to-actions to your live stream. Others let you collect email addresses or phone numbers from viewers so you can follow up with them after the service.

7. Reach and accessibility​

When choosing a platform for your live stream, consider how many people you want to reach. Some platforms are better suited for large audiences while others offer more intimate experiences. The best way to live stream church services is by creating an organic funnel wherein, you simulcast to multiple social streaming platforms and drive footfall to your white-label church streaming service.

8. Live Chat & Q&As​

Live chat is great for engaging your viewers during the service (and even after it). Similarly, in-video Q&As help you engage with your congregation during the service. You can gather opinions, take questions, or even poll your viewers. Make sure your chosen platform lets you do this!

9. Branding​

A well-branded presentation stands out from the rest. So, you want your live stream to reflect the branding of your church. Choose a platform that allows you to add logos, watermarks, and other branding elements to your live stream.

10. White Label App Development​

White label apps are great for churches who want to take their streaming experience a notch above! However, app development for videos is not everybody's cup of tea. Videos require a different architecture than other types of apps, so if you're not familiar with it, we recommend working with a professional streaming service that knows the ins and outs of such development.

11. In-app Integration with Cross-platform Support​

In-app integration is important if you already have a website or mobile app. You want your live stream to be integrated seamlessly into your existing app so that viewers can watch it without any hiccups. Your live streams should also be encoded such that they’re accessible on all devices — including phones, tablets, laptops, and desktops. It should have cross-platform support as well.

12. Third-Party Integrations​

You want a platform that easily integrates with third-party services like social media platforms, email marketing platforms, payment processors, etc. This will make it easier for you to promote, market, and monetize your live streams.

13. Latency​

Latency is the time it takes for your live stream to reach viewers. When choosing a live streaming platform, make sure to check its latency. The lower the latency, the better!

14. Recording & Archiving​

It’s not commonly known but live streams are not saved by default (hence, the name). If you want your congregation to watch a livestreamed video later, your platform must enable you with recording and archiving functionalities.

15. Simulcasting​

Simulcasting is a great way to reach a larger audience. It allows you to broadcast your live stream on multiple platforms at the same time. For example, you can simulcast your live stream on Facebook Live, YouTube Live, and Twitch simultaneously. This gives viewers more options for how they want to watch your stream—and it also helps increase the reach of your church!

16. No-code Platform Development​

When building your online church streaming platform, you know what you need and how. So, your streaming service should also give you the ability to build it while bypassing the technical know-how. Some video streaming platforms extend a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) platform builder that helps you create powerful experiences without writing a single line of code! It is a highly desirable feature.

Now that we've gone over some of the key factors to consider when choosing a platform for your live streams, let's take a look at how to actually set it up.

How to Setup Live Stream for Church?​

"But how shall they preach unless they are sent?"

- Romans 10:15

Finally, it’s time to set up your live stream! Here are the broader aspects that you will need to cover.

1. Equipment Procurement

2. Lighting

3. Camera Placement

4. Audio Setup

5. Software Selection

6. Onboarding a Streaming Service

8. Scheduling and Promoting Your Live Stream

9. Rehearsing Your Live Stream

10. Going Live!

Let’s cover them one by one.

1. Equipment Procurement:​

The first thing you need to do is procure the necessary equipment for live streaming. This includes:

i. Cameras (at least one)

ii. Microphones (at least one)

iii. Lighting system

iv. Tripod

v. Computer with a high-speed internet

vi. Video encoder (preferable)

i. Cameras​

You will need at least one camera to live stream your church service. If you have the budget, it is recommended that you get two cameras so that you can switch between shots during the service (e.g., a wide shot of the entire sanctuary and a close-up of the preacher). There are four cameras that you can consider for your live stream.

a. Smartphone Cameras or Webcams: Yes, you can use the camera on your smartphone or a webcam connected to your computer or laptop. But the quality of the video will not be as good as using a dedicated camera. So, if you have the budget, go for a dedicated camera.

b. DSLR Cameras: A digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera is a great option if you want to live stream in HD. The video quality is fantastic, and you can even use DSLR cameras for other purposes such as taking photographs during the service.

c. PTZ Cameras: A pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras (or regular CCTV cameras) are great if you want to have more control over your shots during the live stream. PTZ cameras come with a remote control that lets you pan, tilt, and zoom the camera from afar. This way, you can focus on other aspects of the live stream without having to worry about the camera shot. You can also use PTZ cameras to switch focus between the preacher and the congregation during the service.

d. Camcorders: A camcorder is the best choice as your primary camera since its video quality is top of the line. Camcorders also come with features such as image stabilization. If you have the budget, go for a camcorder that records in 1080p or 4K.

ii. Microphones​

The audio quality of your live stream is just as important as the quality of your video. After all, people want to hear what’s being said during the service. That’s why you need to get a good microphone (multiple microphones, in fact) for your live stream. You can use your standard microphone as long as it can be used as an audio source. Other options include:

a. Lavalier Microphones: A lavalier or “lapel mic” is a small microphone that can be clipped onto your clothing. It’s great if you want to have a hands-free experience while preaching or giving announcements during the service. Just clip it on and forget about it! Plus, lapel mics are very affordable.

b. Shotgun Microphones: A shotgun microphone is a long and narrow microphone that can be handheld or mounted on top of your camera. They are highly directional and help reduce noise from other directions. You can use them to capture audio of the choir or an instrument being played at the back of the sanctuary.

c. USB Microphones: USB microphones are plug-and-play devices that can be connected directly to your computer or laptop. They’re very easy to use and are great for simple setups. However, they don’t offer as much flexibility as other types of microphones since they need to be close to the source of the sound (such as your mouth).

For congregation mics, you can use standard microphones. If you want to mic an entire section of the audience, then consider using wired microphones.

iii. Lighting system​

Lighting is important as it helps improve the video quality of your live stream. A well-lit church sanctuary will look more inviting and welcoming. There are two types of lighting that you can use for your church live stream: natural light and artificial light. Though natural light is good, it is not always reliable (e.g., cloudy days) or consistent (e.g., nighttime, different seasons, etc.). That’s why artificial lighting is recommended as your primary source of light. It also gives you the ability to make your sermons look more immersive.

Some artificial lights that you should consider include:

a. Focus lights: Focus lights are great for highlighting a specific area of the sanctuary, such as the pulpit. They help improve the video quality by making the subject (e.g., preacher) stand out from the background.

b. Ambient lights: Ambient lights are general-purpose lights that help evenly light up the entire church sanctuary. It helps reduce shadows and makes the live stream look more professional.

c. LED lights: LED lights are energy-efficient and long lasting, making them ideal for live streaming purposes. Plus, they don’t generate a lot of heat, so you won’t have to worry about them affecting your audio quality.

d. Ring lights: Ring lights are great for close-up shots as they help eliminate shadows around your face or object. They can be attached to your camcorder or placed optimally on a tripod.

iv. Tripod​

A shaky camera is a big no-no for live streams! A tripod is an essential piece of equipment as it helps keep your camera steady during the service. Plus, a tripod gives you the ability to take wide shots or close-ups without having to hold the camera in your hand. There are three types of tripods that you can use:

a. Tabletop tripods: Tabletop tripods are small and lightweight, making them ideal for small spaces. They can be easily placed on the podium or lectern without taking up too much space.

b. Floor-standing tripods: Floor-standing tripods are great for larger sanctuaries as they can be placed in the middle of the aisle. They’re also taller than tabletop tripods, so you can take shots from different angles (e.g., a high-angle shot of the preacher).

c. Camera dollies: Camera dollies are wheeled platforms that your camera can be mounted on. They’re great for getting smooth tracking shots during the live stream (e.g., following the choir as they sing down the aisle).

v. Computer with high-speed internet​

You will need a computer with a high-speed internet connection for live streaming purposes. A laptop is ideal as it’s easy to transport and set up. But if you have a desktop computer, that’s fine too! Just be sure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements for live streaming (such as processing power and memory).

vi. Video encoding hardware​

You will need to send an encoded video to your streaming platform. The good thing is that you can encode it using the software as well. There are plenty of free solutions available in the market (such as OBS Studio). What’s not so good about it is that encoding is a computation-intensive task. It is more likely to crunch your computing resources and freeze the system. If you’re working with multiple video streams, it is more likely to be so. So, get a dedicated hardware video encoder if possible.

2. Light Placements:​

"Then God said, 'Let there be light'; and there was light."

- Genesis 1:3

The placement of the lights is just as important as the type of lighting that you use. Here are some tips on where and how to place your lights:

i. Place your focus light(s) at the front of the church, aimed at the pulpit or stage.

ii. Place your ambient light(s) around the perimeter of the church, pointing inward. You must also keep ambient light behind the focus light, pointing toward the back of the church.

iii. Use LED lights sparingly as they can be quite harsh. Try placing them behind objects such as plants to create a softer effect.

iv. If using ring lights, mount them on top of your camera or tripod. Position them such that they’re facing you and not shining directly into your eyes. Also try to ensure that ring lights are not (prominently) visible in your other video frames.

v. Experiment with different lighting placements and angles to see what looks best on your live stream.

3. Camera Placements:​

The number of cameras that you use will depend on the size of your church sanctuary and budget. But as a general rule of thumb, we recommend using at least two cameras for your live stream. This way, you can switch between shots during the service (e.g., a wide shot of the entire sanctuary and a close-up of the preacher).

Here are some tips on where and how to place your cameras:

i. Place your primary camera at the front of the church facing towards the pulpit or stage. If possible, try to mount it on a tripod or dolly for stability.

ii. Place your secondary camera(s) around the perimeter of the church so that you can get different angles (e.g., high-angle shots, bird’s eye views, audience video frame, etc.). Again, use tripods wherever possible.

iii. If using PTZ cameras, position them in such a way that they cover as much area as possible without being too conspicuous.

iv. Use a telephoto lens for close-ups and a wide-angle lens for wider shots. You can also use zoom lenses if you want more flexibility with your framing. Just be sure that you don’t use digital zoom as it will degrade the video quality.

v. Cover the congregation with at least one camera. This way, you can switch to a shot of the congregation singing or praying during the service.

vi. Experiment with different camera placements and angles to see what looks best on your live stream depending on your church's layout.

4. Audio Setup:​

"Then the Spirit lifted me up, and I heard a great rumbling sound behind me, 'Blessed be the glory of the Lord in His place.'"

- Ezekiel 3:12

i. If using a standalone microphone, be sure to position it close to the source of the sound, i.e., the preacher.

ii. If using a shotgun microphone, mount it on top of your camera or tripod. Position it so that it’s pointing towards the subject.

iii. If using lavalier mics or wireless microphones, clip them onto your clothing or place them optimally around the church sanctuary. Be sure that they are within range of the receiver.

iv. Use windscreens or foam covers over your microphones to reduce unwanted noise (such as plosives or hard “p” and “b” sounds that can distort audio.)

v. Run a sound check before going live to ensure that everything is working properly. Adjust the levels accordingly so that they are not too low or too high.

5. Software Selection:​

Your software is going to be the heart of your setup. It will be receiving inputs from your various hardware devices and sending the signal to your live streaming service. We recommend using Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) as it’s free, open-source, and very versatile. Plus, there is a large online community that can help you with any issues that you may encounter.

If you’re looking for something more professional, then consider Wirecast or vMix. Both are paid software but offer a lot of features that OBS doesn’t have.

6. Onboarding a Streaming Service:​

Now that you have all the hardware and software set up, it’s time to choose a live streaming service. Here, Teyuto is a great option to consider. It is rated the category leader in Video Management by Gartner’s GetApp and comes equipped with several in-demand features including:

- Low-latency live streaming

- Cloud storage

- Live stream recording and archiving

- Simulcasting to multiple platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, etc.

- Custom platform development with a drag-and-drop platform builder

- Push notifications and marketing emails

- In-video Q&As

- Live chat

- Member management

- Analytics & insights

- No commissions on donations and memberships, and more!

Here’s our quick and easy 7-step guide to starting your live stream with Teyuto.

7. Scheduling and Promoting Your Live Stream:​

Everything is set up. It’s time to start promoting your live stream! Here are some tips:

i. Schedule your live stream in advance and promote it through your church’s website, social media channels, and email list.

ii. Create a catchy graphic or video to help promote your live stream. Be sure to include the date, time, and link to where people can watch the live stream.

iii. Consider running a countdown timer on your website or social media channels leading up to the live stream. This will create a sense of urgency and encourage people to tune in.

iv. If you have a physical bulletin board at your church, be sure to post information about the live stream there as well. You can also include flyers in the bulletin or hand them out after service.

8. Rehearsing Your Live Stream:​

Now that everything is set up and you’ve promoted your live stream, it’s time for a dress rehearsal! This will help ensure that everything runs smoothly when you go live. Here are some tips:

i. Do a sound check before going live so that you can adjust the levels accordingly. This includes testing all of your microphones and making sure that they are working properly.

ii. Do a lighting check to ensure that your church sanctuary is well lit. Adjust the placement of your lights if necessary.

iii. Do a camera check to ensure that all of your cameras are properly positioned and focused. Test out different shots and angles to see what looks best.

iv. Familiarize yourself with the live streaming software so that you know how to operate it when you go live. This includes knowing how to start/stop the live stream, switch between cameras, and adjust the audio levels.

v. If possible, do a dress rehearsal with someone acting as the preacher or speaker. This way, you can test out all of the equipment and get a feel for how everything will run on the day of the live stream.

vi. Lastly, have all of your batteries completely charged up. Also, ensure you have spares on hand just in case.

9. Going Live!:​

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

- Psalm 118:24

You’ve done all the preparation, now it’s time to go live! Here are some final things to keep in mind:

i. Make sure that all of your equipment is working properly before going live. This includes doing a sound check and making sure that all of your cameras are properly positioned and focused.

ii. Have someone on standby to help with any technical issues that may arise during the live stream. This could be anything from fixing a loose microphone to restarting the live stream if it gets disconnected.

iii. Most importantly, relax and enjoy the process! There will be a lot of learning along the way.

Hope this detailed guide helped you. In case you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment below or contact Teyuto’s live streaming experts to guide you with everything.

‍

Adaptive bitrate streaming (ABS) is a technique for streaming media where the bitrate of the video stream is adjusted dynamically to match the available bandwidth. This can provide a better viewing experience to the user by eliminating buffering. The video quality will be higher when the available bandwidth is higher, and lower when the available bandwidth is lower.

But wait! A lot of heavyweight terms are being thrown around here. If all of this went above your head, don’t fret. After reading this blog, you’ll not only have a clear understanding of what adaptive bitrate streaming is, but you’ll also know why it came into being, how it works, and its benefits. We will cover all the nuances that arise in between.

A Brief History of Adaptive Bitrate Streaming (ABS)​

Before we dive into adaptive bitrate streaming, it’s important to understand why it was created in the first place. Adaptive bitrate streaming came about as a solution to a problem plaguing the internet since its inception: video buffering.

If you’ve ever watched a video on YouTube, chances are you’ve experienced it firsthand. Buffering is when the video pauses for a moment to load more data before continuing to play. This usually happens when there is not enough "bandwidth" to stream the video at the current "bitrate".

Now, what is bandwidth? And what is bitrate? Simply put, bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transferred between two network nodes (your device and the internet) in a given time period (usually measured in bits per second). You can think of bandwidth as a pipe carrying the video data from the internet to your device. The wider the pipe, the more data it can carry, and the smoother the video playback. Similarly, the rate of this flow is the bitrate (or "bit rate").

In the Beginning, there was Progressive Download​

In the early days of the internet, there was no such thing as adaptive bitrate streaming. There was no buffering even – at least, in the sense that we know it. A video had to be downloaded completely before it could be played.

For perspective, the average bandwidth in 1994 was 28.8 kbps. It would have taken at least 92 hours to download a 720p (or 1.2 GB) movie. Why at least? Because if the download paused or stopped midway (or had a major packet loss; a common internet occurrence), you’d have to start all over again. It barely comes as a surprise then that Netflix started as a DVD rental service!

In 1995, Macromedia released its Shockwave Player for Netscape Navigator. This was the first media player that could stream videos on a web browser. Browser-based streaming meant that users could start watching videos without separately downloading them. But latencies were prevalent due to wide-ranging reasons. This made industry players look for other options, and progressive download was precisely what they needed. Though it’s not clear when progressive download was first implemented, one of its early implementations includes Apple’s Fast Start in QuickTime player in 1999.

Progressive download allowed for smoother playback. It was widely adopted and proprietary solutions started emerging around it. However, a couple of problems still persisted.

Progressive Download: The Good and The Bad​

Progressive download made it possible to render video frames as they arrived. As a result, playback could begin without downloading the entire video, which solved the problem of long wait times. On slow networks, users could start playback, pause it, and let it load fully to enjoy a high-quality viewing experience. As long as there was enough data to play the video without any pauses, a dip in bandwidth wouldn’t affect the quality.

But progressive download had its set of challenges. A major challenge was that it consumed a lot of bandwidth. It would download the entire video even if the majority of the video remains unwatched. Moreover, progressive download couldn’t do much about sudden changes in bandwidth, packet loss, or even device specifications. These factors would cause playback issues such as buffering, stuttering, and pausing. Lastly, if the video is streamed in a particular bitrate, you couldn't switch to another bitrate and expect the video to begin where you left off.

How do you line all of these ducks and hit them with one stone? The industry’s answer was Adaptive Bitrate Streaming.

Adaptive Bitrate Streaming (ABR) to the Rescue​

Adaptive Bitrate Streaming was a game-changer! It paved the way for the smooth-streaming world of videos that we live in today. To understand how adaptive bitrate streaming works, it’s important to know about two key concepts: manifest files and encoders.

Manifest Files: A Playlist for Your Video Streams​

A manifest file is a text file that contains information about all the video streams (or variants) that are part of an adaptive bitrate stream. It also includes other metadata such as resolution, codec, language, frame rate, etc., along with timestamps indicating when each segment should be played back. In short, a manifest file acts like a playlist for your video streams. Here's an example of what one might look like:

As you can see, each variant is represented by a media file with a certain bitrate. The EXT-X-STREAM-INF tag contains information about that stream, such as the bandwidth and codecs used. You’ll also notice the "#EXTM3U" tag at the beginning of the file. This is known as an M3U8 playlist and is a popular format for manifest files. It’s worth noting that M3U8 files use UTF-8 character encoding, which supports international characters.

Encoding: Transcoding Video for Adaptive Bitrate Streaming​

If a manifest file is the playlist, encoders are the instruments that create the music (or in this case, video streams). Encoders take a source video and encode it into one or more output streams at different bitrates and resolutions – usually ranging from 144p to 1080p. These encoded video files are then segmented into small chunks of two to eight seconds each and stored on a web server from where they can be fetched as needed by the clients.

It’s important to note that each variant will have a different bitrate, but they will all use the same codec. This is because different codecs aren’t cross-compatible. Like you can't open a soda bottle using a wine opener, you can’t use the H.264 codec for one variant segment, and VP9 (another popular codec) for another subsegment.

How Does Adaptive Bitrate Streaming Work?​

Now that we know what manifest files and encoders are, let’s see how adaptive bitrate streaming works. We’ll use an example to make things clearer. Let's say you're watching a video on your phone over LTE with an average bandwidth of 10Mbps. You start playing a 1080p video encoded at 5Mbps using the H.264 codec. The player then fetches the corresponding manifest file from the server, which might look something like this:

As you can see, there are three variants of the video – each encoded at a different bitrate but using the same codec (H.264). The player then downloads and plays the first segment from the variant that best matches its current bandwidth conditions (in this case, 5Mbps). It will continue to do so for all subsequent segments until it detects a change in network conditions or the user switches to a different resolution.

For instance, if your phone moves into an area with lower LTE coverage, say 3G with an average bandwidth of 2Mbps, the player will automatically switch to fetching segments from one of the lower bitrate variants to prevent buffering issues. Similarly, if you manually switch to 720p or 480p resolution from within the player interface, it will start fetching segments from those variants instead. If you move back into an area with better LTE coverage, it will automatically switch back to fetching segments from a higher bitrate variant.

Adaptive Bitrate Streaming Protocols​

There are two popular protocols used for adaptive bitrate streaming: HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) and Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH). While HLS is more widely adopted, DASH is gaining popularity due to it being an open-source international standard. Let’s take a look at each of them in detail.

HTTP Live Streaming (HLS)​

HLS was developed by Apple as a part of its QuickTime X application for Mac OS X Snow Leopard back in 2009. It has since been adopted by many other companies such as Google, HP, and Microsoft to name a few. The protocol uses regular web servers instead of streaming servers like Wowza, Teyuto, or Adobe Media Server, which are essential for other streaming protocols such as RTMP or RTSP. Note that adding such servers can boost performance significantly. However, if you want to skip them, setting up an HLS stream becomes – any standard web server and CDN will do the trick for you!

The biggest advantage of using HLS is that it works across all major platforms including iOS, Android, Windows Phone, tvOS, macOS, Microsoft Silverlight, and so on. Apple also maintains HLS’ hegemony by not supporting other major streaming protocols on Apple devices. However, HLS uses the popular MPEG-2 Transport Stream (M2TS) container format, which is well supported by most media players.

MPEG-DASH​

DASH is an adaptive bitrate streaming protocol developed by the Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) and standardized under ISO/IEC 23009. It uses the same container format as HLS – M2TS – but with a different file structure. This makes it difficult for some media players to support both protocols. But there are workarounds for this, such as using DASH-compatible players or installing relevant plugins.

DASH was designed to work on multiple devices and networks by using a common manifest file format known as MPD (Media Presentation Description). This allows clients to dynamically adapt the bitrate of the video based on network conditions and device capabilities. It also supports online content protection using encryption schemes such as MPEG Common Encryption (CENC).

You can contact Teyuto’s experts to better understand the functionality you need based on your unique use case. It will help you make an informed decision on whether or not you need DASH compatibility for your digital video mix.

Different Adaptive Bitrate Streaming algorithms​

There are several ABS algorithms used today as each player has its own criteria to determine which bitrate to stream next. However, all of them mostly have two major features, i.e., bitrate and buffer occupation. Some ABS algorithm examples include:

1. Buffer Occupancy-based Lyapunov Algorithm (BOLA):​

The main idea of BOLA is to use the current buffer occupation to predict future playback smoothness. The bitrate is then selected to minimize a cost function which is the weighted sum of a smoothness term and a penalty term. We must note here that, unlike other algorithms, BOLA typically does not predict the network bandwidth. Rather, it uses the current buffer occupation as a proxy to decide which bitrate to stream next.

2. Greedy Dual Size Frequency Algorithm (GDSF):​

GDSF is a rate adaptation algorithm that uses both the current buffer occupation and the recent history of network bandwidth to decide which bitrate to stream next. The main idea is to keep the buffer occupation at a certain target level while maximizing the recent average network bandwidth.

3. Machine Learning based Algorithms:​

There are several machine learning-based algorithms proposed in the literature for ABS. These algorithms learn a model from the data (network bandwidth, buffer occupation, etc.) and use this model to predict future playback smoothness. Based on this prediction, the bitrate is automatically selected to ensure a smooth playback with high Quality of Experience (QoE).

The Benefits of Adaptive Bitrate Streaming (ABS)​

There are several benefits of adaptive bitrate streaming, both for users and content providers:

For Users:​

1. Low Buffering​

One of the biggest advantages of adaptive bitrate streaming is that it eliminates buffering by and large. This leads to a much smoother viewing experience for the user, especially on mobile devices, as their internet speeds can vary drastically.

2. Better Quality Video​

Another benefit is that users always get to watch the best quality video their internet connection can handle. So, even if they are on a slow connection, they won’t have to settle for a lower-quality video throughout. ABS will automatically adjust the bitrate whenever there’s room for it.

3. Lower Data Usage​

Since adaptive bitrate streaming only streams the necessary amount of data based on available bandwidth, it can lead to significant savings in data usage.

For Content Providers:​

1. Increased Engagement and Retention​

Because ABS provides a better viewing experience overall, it can lead to increased engagement and retention from viewers. This is especially true for live streaming, where ABS can be a major differentiator that prevents playback delays.

2. Reduced Infrastructure Costs​

Since adaptive bitrate streaming only streams the amount of data necessary, it can lead to reduced infrastructure costs for content providers. They get to cut their spending on edge servers and can accommodate peak traffic periods more easily.

3. Better Quality Control​

With adaptive bitrate streaming, content providers have more control over the quality of their video streams. This allows them to strike a balance between quality and file size, which can also lead to significant savings in storage and bandwidth costs.

4. Greater Reach​

ABS allows content providers to reach a wider audience by making their videos accessible even on low bandwidth connections. A video player can select an appropriate stream based on the prevailing network conditions.

So, there you have it! Adaptive bitrate streaming is a great way to improve your video streaming quality, without having to worry about buffering or interruptions. With it, you can ensure that you're always on top of your game.

To learn more about adaptive bitrate streaming and its optimal implementation based on your use case, get in touch with Teyuto’s experts today.

‍

The year was 2010. Over the past few years, digital video viewing had increased exponentially. And it led to an unexpected challenge. The growing demand for videos was met with a flurry of proprietary protocols and formats. Apple HLS. Adobe HDS. Microsoft Smooth Streaming. And they all had one thing in common — each was designed to work only with their specific players or devices. There wasn’t a way to deliver a single stream that could play on all devices.

This led to the birth of MPEG-DASH, an open standard for adaptive bitrate streaming over HTTP. For the uninitiated, MPEG-DASH is not a format like H.264 or AAC, but a delivery method that can be used with any number of codecs and containers, such as MP4 (H.264/AAC), WebM (VP8/Vorbis), or MPEG-2 TS.

Let's dive deeper into what is MPEG-DASH and how it works. But let's begin from where it all started.

A Brief History of MPEG-DASH​

In the late 1990s, two new technologies emerged that would change how we consume videos forever — broadband internet and mobile devices. The release of the first iPhone in 2007 then became a watershed moment. It popularized on-the-go video consumption and created an insatiable appetite for mobile content.

Even during the early internet, videos started becoming a popular format. Portals like Newgrounds, Albino Blacksheep, and eBaum’s World were receiving decent traffic. Then, in 2005, YouTube was founded, and it changed everything. By 2006, the video-viewing platform was delivering 100 million video views per day. As broadband speeds increased and more people had access to high-speed internet, online video consumption grew at an exponential pace.

But there was a problem. The delivery of videos over the internet was not designed for this level of demand because of the primary streaming protocols (such as HTTP and RTSP). They didn’t offer any kind of quality control or guaranteed delivery [Note: transmission often involves losses of packets that need to be assessed and restreamed thereafter]. The viewer experience was affected as a result.

RTMP was great for streaming videos on web browsers. However, it was a proprietary protocol exclusive to Flash players and wasn’t optimized for mobile devices. This led to the development of new protocols by the early 2010s, including Apple HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) and Microsoft Smooth Streaming. Both of these formats evolved from the HP Laboratories' demonstration of SProxy in 2006, which converted a video into segments and streamed them using an HTTP web server. The new protocols, meanwhile, furthered this approach by incorporating Adaptive Bitrate Streaming (ABR) technology as well. ABR is the ability of a video player to switch between streams (from high definition to low definition or vice versa) based on the network conditions.

But such formats brought us back to square one as they were still proprietary and didn’t resolve the challenge of cross-platform streaming.

While video and TV companies were trying to figure out methods of delivering the best viewing experience, they also had little control over how consumers received their content. For instance, in 2011, Netflix found that almost half of its users were watching videos on their gaming consoles. Each console used a different format. So, it was hard to deliver a consistent experience across all platforms.

The same went for other digital video platforms like Hulu. They all had to design their services around the limitations of the various devices that their end-users used. Thankfully, a few people were cognizant of the situation before the faultlines started showing.

3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Program) got the ball rolling for a non-proprietary, cross-platform standard in 2009 by developing Adaptive HTTP Streaming (AHS). In 2010, MPEG issued a call for proposals to standardize an adaptive bitrate streaming solution for the delivery of IP-based multimedia services. The proposal by 3GPP was accepted (3GPP AHS), and MPEG-DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) was born.

By January 2011, it became a draft international standard, and by December 2011 an international standard. It was published as an ISO/IEC 23009-1 standard in April 2012. Since then, the streaming protocol has been revised two times, i.e., once in 2019 and once in 2022.

How Does MPEG-DASH Work?​

MPEG-DASH is a delivery method that streams media via HTTP and works with any codec and container. This makes it different from other streaming protocols that are format specific, such as HLS and RTSP.

The idea behind using an adaptable container is to have a single manifest file that can work with multiple streams. The player then chooses the most appropriate stream based on network conditions and the capabilities of the device.

For instance, if you’re trying to watch a video on your mobile phone with a slow internet connection, the player will switch to a lower-bitrate video so that it doesn’t keep buffering. And if you move to an area with better network coverage or connect your phone to Wi-Fi, it will automatically switch back to the higher-bitrate video. This results in a much smoother viewing experience that doesn’t interrupt the video playback while switching between streams.

DASH streaming also involves a segmented file format. This means that videos are divided into small segments, typically 2 to 10 seconds long. These files are then stored on a web (HTTP) server using regular HTTP-based protocols. When a viewer wants to watch a video, they send an HTTP request for the manifest file (.mpd). The manifest file contains information about all the available streams, their respective bitrates, and their location on the server.

Based on this information, the player chooses an appropriate video and starts fetching video segments from the server. A predetermined number of segments are loaded in the client to avoid excessive bandwidth usage.

Although MPEG-DASH works with any type of video content and is codec-agnostic, the most commonly used codecs with MPEG-DASH are H.264/MPEG-4 AVC and H.265/HEVC for video, and AAC and MP3 for audio.

Advantages of MPEG-DASH​

MPEG-DASH has a number of advantages over other streaming protocols. These include:

1. Interoperability​

DASH is an interoperable solution that can work with any type of video content. So, you can use the same manifest file (.mpd) for videos encoded in H.264 as well as VP9 (a Google open-source video compression format). All you need is to have multiple streams for each type of encoding and specify the respective locations in the manifest file. The player will then automatically choose the appropriate stream based on network conditions and device capabilities.

2. Enhanced Viewing Experience​

As mentioned earlier, one of the key features of MPEG-DASH is Adaptive Bitrate Streaming (ABR). ABR allows players to switch between different streams seamlessly without interrupting the video playback. This results in a much smoother viewing experience, especially on mobile devices where network conditions can change frequently.

Segmenting files into small chunks also makes MPEG-DASH more efficient than some other streaming protocols. When using RTSP/RTP, if a user wants to seek ahead or rewind a video stream, they have to issue a command back to the server, which then sends the appropriate data packets. This backchannel communication can add significant latency. It also increases the load on the server.

With MPEG-DASH, however, videos are already divided into small segments. So, if a user wants to fast-forward or rewind a video, they can directly fetch the required segment from the server without any backchannel communication. This helps reduce latency, decreases bandwidth requirement, and results in a better viewing experience.

3. Improved Scalability​

DASH involves stateless HTTP servers. This means that there’s no need to maintain any session state information, which helps improve scalability. MPEG-DASH can also integrate into existing CDNs (Content Delivery Networks) easily as it uses standard HTTP protocols.

4. Reduced Costs​

As MPEG-DASH is an open standard, you don’t have to pay any licensing fees to use it. It is also compatible with standard HTTP servers, so no expensive servers are required. Such servers can, however, improve your overall performance. Here, it must be noted that the cost advantage is directly linked to the implementation you seek. If you want a high-performance implementation, you'll need proprietary solutions that are built on top of DASH. Contact Teyuto’s experts today to know what suits your needs better.

Disadvantages of MPEG-DASH​

While MPEG-DASH has many advantages over other streaming protocols, there are a few disadvantages as well:

1. Limited Support​

This one comes in as a surprise. One of the core ideas to develop DASH was to ensure cross-platform compatibility. But DASH is still not compatible with a range of devices, especially Apple products. At times, even the browsers that do support DASH may need a separate player or plugin to play videos based on it.

2. Lack of Standards​

While being an international standard itself, there are no specific standards in DASH for how files should be encoded, segments should be created, DRM should be signaled, and so on. As a result, each content provider has to develop its own solution, which can lead to inconsistencies across different platforms and players.

3. Fragmented Ecosystem​

The lack of standards has also led to a fragmented ecosystem where some companies are using proprietary methods to encode and segment their videos. This makes it difficult for other providers to use these videos on their platforms as they would need to invest in developing new solutions specifically for them.

4. Security​

One of the key disadvantages of MPEG-DASH is that it uses standard HTTP protocols for streaming videos. This makes it vulnerable to various types of cyberattacks, such as man-in-the-middle attacks and Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks.

5. First-Mile Delivery​

Although DASH is great for last-mile delivery of video streams, using it as an ingest protocol (or first-mile delivery) can lead to sizable latency. To overcome this limitation, other protocols such as RTMP are used to ingest videos (first-mile delivery) and DASH for server-to-client video distribution (last-mile delivery).

Conclusion​

MPEG-DASH is one of the most popular streaming protocols today. It offers a number of advantages over other protocols, such as interoperability, enhanced viewing experience, reduced latency, and improved scalability. Though there are some challenges associated with the protocol as well, you can easily resolve them with a leading video streaming solutions provider.

If you have any queries or want to develop your customized streaming solution using DASH, get in touch with our experts today.

‍

In 2009, Apple introduced HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) as a way to stream live and on-demand audio and video content over the internet. It is now the most widely used video streaming protocol across the globe, with support for all major browsers and devices.

In this blog, we will dive into why LL-HLS was created, what it is, how it differs from ll hls vs hls, what are its salient features, how it fares against LL-DASH, and a few things to keep in mind while implementing it.

‍

LL HLS vs HLS: What is the difference?​

As discussed above, HLS is a streaming media delivery protocol that uses HTTP to deliver video and audio content over the Internet. It is quite a popular protocol used by OTT service providers and other major browser and devices.

On the other hand, ll hls is a variant of HLS that is optimized for low-latency streaming. It reduces the time between when a user initiates playback and when they see or hear the content (known as "latency"). This can be especially important for live streams, where even a few seconds of delay can make the experience less enjoyable for viewers.

What are the technical differences between hls and hls low latency streaming?​

Buffering Protocols​

The main technical difference between hls and hls low latency is the protocol both use to handle streaming. HTTP live streaming uses a unique buffering mechanism that waits for the entire segment to be downloaded before streaming. This can impact the latency, because the viewers have to wait for the entire segment to download before they can enjoy video content.

hls low latency streaming uses server push which contributes in reducing latency. This means that the server pushes the segments of the video to the receiving end. It starts playing back the video as soon as the first segments of the video download. It ultimately reduces latency because the viewers can watch the video while the other segments are being downloaded.

Latency​

Since low latency hls uses chunked transfer encoding, it reduces latency. Therefore, hls low latency is typically around 2-5 seconds, compared to 6-30 seconds for HLS. This makes hls low latency streaming a better choice for live streaming applications where latency is critical.

Now, let's get down to the business.

Why Low-Latency HLS?​

HLS, the predecessor of LL-HLS, was launched to stream high-quality content at scale across devices and platforms. However, its scale-oriented streaming architecture came at a price, i.e., latency. For the uninitiated, latency is the time it takes from the video creation (on a camera) to its final playback (on a user's device), also called "glass-to-glass latency". In between, this video stream has to be encoded (both audio and video), segmented, packaged, listed, downloaded, delivered, decoded, lip-synced, and buffered before its playback. The streaming protocol (like HLS) handles all of this heavy lifting.

While HLS did a great job in terms of quality and compatibility, over the years, its development consistently compromised on latency. And, it made sense. Back then, latency wasn't a problem. However, it is no longer the case. With the advent of social media and live streaming, people now want content in real time. They don't want to wait much longer. Here, a delay of 30-50 seconds is simply unbearable.

It only makes sense that Apple (which maintains HLS) would eventually come up with an optimized solution for low latency streaming. So, they did! In 2019, at WWDC, Apple announced Low-Latency HLS or LL-HLS. It was built on top of existing HLS specifications with some modifications to achieve low latency (<5s). Let's take a look at how LL-HLS does this without compromising quality or compatibility:

How Does Low Latency HTTP Live Streaming (LL-HLS) Work?​

LL-HLS makes some major changes to the existing HLS specification. These changes include:

1. HLS Partial Segments​

In LL-HLS, segments are further divided into parts (HLS partial segments), which decrease individual file sizes. This makes it possible to start playback even before the entire segment is downloaded (as opposed to HLS where you have to wait for the complete segment).

2. Delta Playlist Update​

The playlist is updated in LL-HLS with less transfer cost as compared to HLS. This is done by requesting the server to provide delta updates, which update the relevant portions of the playlist already available with the client.

3. Update Blocking​

The HTTP GET request of a player can contain "Delivery Directives" in LL-HLS. These are special query parameters requesting a future segment in the playlist response. The server then blocks this request until the specified segment is available. It eliminates playlist polling and, as a result, frees up the server and network bandwidth.

4. Preload Hints​

To further reduce latency, LL-HLS introduces preload hints. They are special tags in the playlist that tell the player to start fetching a segment even before it is required for playback. So, the segment can be played immediately without any delay when needed.

5. Rendition Reports​

LL-HLS minimizes the number of roundtrips during bit-rate adaptation. This is done by adding EXT-X-RENDITION-REPORT tags for all media playlists in a multivariant playlist. These tags provide information, such as the last Media Sequence Number and Part currently in the Media Playlist. This way, the client can request required parts from the server without having to fetch an entirely new Media Playlist.

LL-HLS vs HLS: What's The Difference?​

There are some key differences between them that you should know about before deciding which one is better for your use case.

Here are some differences and similarities between LL-HLS and HLS:

1. Latency​

As we've seen, the biggest difference between LL-HLS and HLS is latency. With LL-HLS, Apple has managed to reduce it significantly (to sub-5 seconds) as compared to regular HLS (which has a latency of around 30 seconds. This latency is even lower than the latency in HD cable TV streaming. As a result, LL-HLS gives users a near-real-time viewing experience and should be prioritized if latency is important for a given use case.

2. Quality​

There is no noticeable difference in quality between LL-HLS and HLS streams. Both provide high-quality video streaming at scale. However, LL-HLS is not the best for low network bandwidth conditions.

3. Compatibility​

One of the best things about both HLS and LL-HLS is their compatibility with all major browsers and devices. Some of the popular browsers that support LL-HLS include AVPlayer (iOS), Exoplayer (Android), THEOPlayer, JWPlayer, HLS.js, VideoJS, and AgnoPlay. So, unlike other protocols, you don't have to worry about whether your viewers will be able to watch your stream or not.

4. Cost​

The deployment of a regular HLS is cheaper than LL-HLS.

5. Implementation​

Implementing LL-HLS is more complex than HLS because of its additional features (like preload hints and rendition reports). So, you'll need to have a good understanding of how it works before you can implement it.

Now, let's look at some advantages and disadvantages of using LL-HLS for low latency streaming:

Advantages Of Low Latency HTTP Live Streaming (LL-HLS)​

The advantages of using LL-HLS for low latency streaming include:

1. Low Latency​

As it is clear from its name, LL-HLS was designed with latency in mind. The streaming protocol delivers a near-real-time, glass-to-glass viewing experience. In certain scenarios, using LL-HLS, a latency of <2 seconds can also be achieved. This makes it ideal for live streams, such as live sports, news, game streaming, etc. where every second matters.

2. High Quality​

Another advantage of using LL-HLS is that it doesn't sacrifice quality for latency. It uses the same codecs (like H.264 and H.265) as regular HLS and provides a high-quality video streaming experience under the desired network conditions.

3. Scalability​

The challenge with most streaming protocols, especially the ones involving low latency, is that they are hard to scale. This is not the case with LL-HLS. It builds upon HLS and uses standard HLS packaging, which makes it considerably easy to implement and scale. As a result, you can engage thousands of concurrent users without any hassle.

4. Compatibility​

One of the best things about LL-HLS is that it is compatible with all major browsers and devices, including iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, tvOS, and so on. This compatibility makes it possible to reach a larger audience with your live streams without having to worry about whether they will be able to watch it or not.

The disadvantages of using LL-HLS include:​

1. New Protocol​

LL-HLS is a new streaming protocol and hence, doesn't enjoy as extensive support as its predecessor. This can make it difficult to find certain information or troubleshoot problems that you might face during deploying the protocol.

2. Complex Implementation​

Another disadvantage of using LL-HLS is that its implementation is more complex as compared to regular HLS because of its additional features. Apart from major workarounds that are already mentioned, LL-HLS has several optimizations that can at times become quite overwhelming.

3. Cost​

The cost involved in implementing LL-HLS is also higher than regular HLS because of the extra infrastructure required for low latency streaming. However, this cost is worth it if your use case demands real-time content delivery.

LL-HLS vs. LL-DASH​

Although LL-HLS is often also compared with WebRTC, its only fair comparison is with LL-DASH.

Here's a quick comparison of the two streaming protocols:

1. Proprietary Protocol​

LL-HLS uses HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) which is a proprietary Apple protocol, while LL-DASH uses the open standard Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH).

2. Primarily Based on iOS​

LL-HLS is designed specifically for Apple devices. However, since it's backward compatible with HLS players, it enjoys cross-platform and cross-device support as well. LL-DASH is not supported by Apple devices.

3. Latency​

The latency of LL-HLS and LL-DASH is comparable. However, depending on the use case and computation required, either of them can have higher or lower latency.

4. Individually Addressable Parts​

While LL-HLS "parts" are individually addressable (as tiny files or byte ranges in the entire segment), LL-DASH "chunks" (or "fragments") are not. This means that in LL-DASH, the client doesn't have to wait for the server to completely encode the segment before sending the preceding chunks across.

5. Playlist Update​

In HLS as well as DASH protocol, the client polls the server at regular intervals (say 10 seconds) to check for updates in order to fetch new content. However, it is possible to achieve playlist update without any polling from clients in both LL-HLS and LL-DASH. While LL-HLS does so with its Delivery Directives (_HLS_msn=<M>, _HLS_part=<N>, & _HLS_skip=YES|v2), LL-DASH does not depend on manifest update for a player to make sense of a new chunk.

6. Codecs and Encryption​

In both LL-HLS and LL-DASH protocols, content protection uses MPEG-CENC (Common Encryption) standards. Both of these protocols also have support for Common Media Application Format (CMAF.) In terms of codecs, while LL-DASH is codec-agnostic, LL-HLS only allows specific codecs for encoding.

7. Quality Switching​

Both protocols offer adaptive bitrate streaming. They help players automatically switch between multiple renditions based on changing network conditions without interrupting playback experience for viewers. However, LL-HLS is different in that it has multiple streams for different bitrates and resolutions. LL-DASH only has one stream for a particular bitrate and resolution.

8. Security​

One more advantage that LL-HLS has over LL-DASH is related to content protection mechanism i.e., how do you know if your encoder produced an encrypted file with valid signatures? In order to check this, HLS protocol uses EXT–X–KEY tags whereas DASH relies on PSSH boxes inside MP4 files or separate init segments outside of MP4s called xlinks – both methods require extra network roundtrips which can introduce significant delays during live streaming events. To address this issue and make things simpler & efficient, Apple came up with a solution where it included KEY ID & IV values directly into m3u8 playlist so that players could validate those before downloading any segment – no extra request/response needed!

To Wrap It Up​

LL-HLS is a great choice for low-latency streaming if you are looking for a protocol that is compatible with all major browsers and devices. However, it is important to keep in mind that its implementation is more complex as compared to regular HLS.

In case you need any help, feel free to reach out to us.

HTTP Live Streaming was born during a tumultuous time. The launch of the iPhone in 2007 set the scene for the smartphone wars. And, with it, came a tectonic shift in content consumption.

Mobile phones were already popular. Users were no longer tethered to their desktops; they could access the internet on the go! It was inevitable that smartphones would further accelerate this trend. So, content providers now had to deliver videos keeping up with this newfound mobility.

But there was a challenge – a sizable one at that! Adobe's Flash Player was the reigning champion of video delivery in those days. However, flash wasn’t well-optimized for mobile devices. For one, it was a battery hog, which was a major concern for users who wanted to watch videos on the go. Flash also wasn’t fine-tuned for touchscreens and certain mobile operating systems didn't have its support whatsoever.

Apple was quick to realize that a new standard was needed, one that could ensure RTMP-like streams on mobile devices, take advantage of the HTML5 specification, and be more efficient with bandwidth usage. So, in 2009, it proposed HTTP Live Streaming (HLS). The streaming protocol has since become the de facto standard for delivering video on all platforms and browsers.

In this article, we will take a closer look at what is HLS, how an HLS stream works, and when you should use it for your projects.

HTTP Live Streaming (HLS)​

HTTP Live Streaming is an adaptive bitrate communication protocol created by Apple to deliver video and audio content over the internet. It uses one of the three key web standards – Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) – to transfer data between servers and clients.

HLS is designed for reliability and scalability on top of cross-device, cross-platform performance. These aspects make it ideal for a range of streaming applications including large-scale live events and video-on-demand (VOD).

When compared to other adaptive bitrate techniques such as MPEG-DASH, HLS is different in that it uses multiple streams with varying bitrates for a given resolution. DASH, conversely, uses a single stream for a bitrate on a certain resolution. So, while DASH provides better performance under fixed network conditions, in the real world, HLS has an edge!

HLS' ability to switch between different streams based on the network connection extends a superior streaming performance. This provides an unparalleled user experience in real-world conditions, as the internet speed always tends to vary, especially on cellular networks. Being an HTTP-based protocol, HLS is easily implemented across devices, making it an attractive option for content providers and platforms alike.

How does HTTP Live Streaming Work?​

The working of HLS is fairly simple. A master playlist (also called a master manifest) – which contains information about resolutions, bitrate combinations (renditions), languages, codec, metadata, etc. – is sent to the player. Each of these renditions has a separate playlist (also called a child manifest) that lists out their names, sequence, and respective URLs (URIs).

The player then downloads these playlists and starts playback. While the video is playing, the client switches between renditions based on the network conditions of the device. All of this heavy lifting is done in the background and ensures uninterrupted playback.

The image above represents a multivariant HLS playlist. It begins with the #EXTM3U tag, which is compulsory and represents an extended M3U file. The #EXT-X-STREAM-INF informs the player that the next URL (URI) is another playlist file, i.e. the child manifest.

The #EXT-X-STREAM-INF tag contains several parameters, including BANDWIDTH (upper bound bitrate in bits per second) and CODECS (RFC-6381-based format identifiers for audio and video separated by comma). The CODECS parameter is optional but highly recommended. It informs which encoder is used for audio and video streams. The same holds for RESOLUTION (display size in pixels), FRAME-RATE (maximum frame rate), and AVERAGE-BANDWIDTH (average bitrate). For HDCP protection, you can also use the HDCP-LEVEL parameter. All you have to do is use TYPE-0 (for HD resolution) and TYPE-1 (for resolutions greater than HD).

Here’s another example of a more advanced multivariant playlist.

In this example, we can see a playlist with two groups of additional audio renditions (represented by GROUP-IDs of audio-lo and audio-hi). Every media element (in this case, audio files for different languages) should be represented by the tag EXT-X-MEDIA and its TYPE (AUDIO, VIDEO, SUBTITLES, or CLOSED-CAPTIONS.)

Also, every media selection group should have its elements encoded with the same characteristics. For example, they should have the same codec, maximum bandwidth, etc.

What is the Architecture of HLS?​

HTTP Live Streaming has a three-tiered architecture – Origin Server, Distribution Server (edge), and Client.

1. Origin Server​

The origin server receives an AV input and converts it into a compressed file ready to be distributed. Typically, it comprises a media encoder and a stream segmenter. The media encoder encodes the media file into compatible formats. The stream segmenter then splits the encoded media into small segments and creates an index file. The index file contains the metadata of the media segments.

2. Distribution Server (Edge)​

The distribution server, or a CDN, is responsible for delivering the content to the clients. It comprises an HTTP server and a media server. The HTTP server stores the index file and the media segments. A media server streams the media files to the clients.

3. Client​

The client is responsible for requesting and receiving the content from the distribution server. It comprises an HTTP client or a media player. The HTTP client requests the index file from the HTTP server. The media player then uses the index file to request the media segments from the media server and plays them.

Features​

HTTP Live Streaming comes with a plethora of features that make it the go-to choice for content providers. Let’s have a look at some of its key features:

1. Live, on-demand, and event video streaming​

One of the best things about HLS is that it supports live, on-demand, and event- playlists. This means that you can use the same protocol to live stream an event as well as an existing video file stored on your server. However, since HLS prioritizes video quality over latency, the end-to-end usage of the streaming protocol can lead to a delay of up to 45 seconds in streams. This challenge is typically resolved by using a different protocol (such as RTMP) for ingestion. It’s a part of the LL-HLS extension and brings the latency down to approx. 2 seconds.

2. Cross-platform compatibility​

Another great deal about HLS is that it’s compatible with all major browsers and platforms. This includes Safari, Edge, Chrome, Firefox, Android, iOS, tvOS, Playstation 4, Xbox One, and more. So, whether you want to deliver content to users on desktop, mobile devices, or smart TVs, HLS is what you need!

3. Adaptive bitrate streaming​

HTTP Live Streaming also supports multiple bitrates. This means that you can encode your videos into different bitrates for different devices and internet speeds. The client will then automatically switch between these renditions based on network conditions to ensure a seamless video delivery. This results in a better user experience with no sign of buffering or low-quality video streams.

4. Encryption and authentication​

HTTP Live Streaming also supports encryption and authentication. This means that you can encrypt your video streams to protect them from unauthorized access. You can also authenticate users before they are able to access your content. This is especially useful if you want to deliver content behind a paywall or restrict access to certain countries or regions.

5. Support for multiple languages​

Another great thing about HLS is that it supports multiple languages. This means that you can create variant playlists for different languages and the client will automatically switch between them based on user preference settings. So, whether you want to deliver content in English, Spanish, French, or any other language, HLS has got you covered!

6. Closed captioning​

Closed captioning is a feature that allows people who are deaf or hard of hearing to follow along with audio content. HLS supports closed captioning by allowing you to embed captions into your video streams. These captions are then displayed on the screen along with the video for easy accessibility.

7. Subtitles​

Subtitles are similar to closed captions but are typically used for foreign-language films or TV shows where viewers may not be familiar with the spoken dialogue. Similar to closed captioning, HLS allows you to embed subtitles into your video streams so that they can be displayed on the screen along with the video itself.

8. Audio descriptions​

Audio descriptions are a type of audio track that describes what is happening on the screen for people who are blind or have low vision. HLS supports audio description tracks, called Descriptive Video Service (DVS), by allowing you to embed them into your video streams. Your DVS must be marked with the attribute CHARACTERISTICS="public.accessibility.describes-video".

Pros of Using the HLS Protocol​

Now that we’ve looked at what is HLS and how it works, let’s take a look at some of its key advantages:

1. All-Device Delivery​

As mentioned earlier, one of the best things about HLS is that it’s compatible with all major browsers and platforms. This means that you can use the same protocol to stream content to users on desktops, mobile devices, smart TVs, and more. So, whether you want to deliver content to users on iPhone or Android devices, HLS is your go-to streaming protocol!

2. Excellent Quality​

When streaming digital content, quality is of the essence. Today, users are spoiled for choice. If they don’t like what they see on your site, they can easily move on to the next one. This is where HLS really shines. The streaming protocol uses adaptive bitrate streaming to automatically adjust video quality based on network conditions. This ensures that users always have a great viewing experience, regardless of their internet speed or connection quality!

3. Cost-Efficient​

When it comes to streaming digital content, the cost is always a major concern. HTTP Live Streaming is an extremely cost-effective solution as it doesn’t require any additional hardware. All you need is a standard web server and you’re good to go!

4. Privacy and Security​

Another great thing about HLS is that it supports encryption and authentication. This means that you can encrypt your video streams to protect them from unauthorized access. Using HLS, you can also create standard DRM solutions such as Microsoft PlayReady, Google Widevine, and Apple FairPlay. This also makes HLS an ideal choice for content that needs to be delivered behind a paywall or restricted to certain countries/regions.

Cons of Using the HTTP Live Streaming Protocol​

While HTTP Live Streaming comes with a lot of advantages, it also has some drawbacks that you should be aware of before using it for your own projects. Let’s take a look at some of its key disadvantages:

1. Latency​

One of the biggest challenges with HLS is latency – the time it takes for video data to travel from the server to the client. This can be problematic if you’re trying to stream live events where every second counts! There are various solutions available that can help reduce this latency (more on this later), but it’s something you should keep in mind if you’re planning on using HLS for your project.

2. Internet Speed​

Another drawback of HLS is that it requires a minimum internet speed of 400 kbps for low-quality videos and up to 8 Mbps for HD quality. This can be a major issue in areas with poor internet coverage or for users with limited data plans.

Solutions to the Latency Problem​

There are various solutions available that can help reduce latency when using HLS. Some of them include:

1. Reducing the Segment Size​

While Apple recommends a length of 6 seconds, lowering the segment size (target duration) can help decrease latency significantly. It’s because the client waits for a published segment from the server. The server cannot publish it before the predetermined target duration. So, before a player can even download a segment, it is already delayed by the 'target duration' seconds. On top of it, multiple segments are kept as a buffer to ensure seamless delivery even in patchy networks. This includes every segment’s encoding, packaging, playlist listing, and downloading, which adds to the latency by a factor of 4 to 7 times your segment size.

2. Announcing Segments Beforehand​

You can try announcing segments before they are actually available. This is done by setting the #EXT-X-PRELOAD-HINT tag to indicate the most likely location of the next stream.

3. Using a different ingest protocol​

Using a different ingest protocol transfers the server-side encoding to a faster encoder, which introduces superior efficiency. You can also use Low Latency HLS (LL-HLS). LL-HLS is a part of the HLS protocol, but with a few workarounds. It has a latency of (around 2-5 seconds).

When to Use the HLS Protocol?​

HTTP Live Streaming is an extremely versatile streaming protocol. It can be used for a wide range of applications including live events, on-demand content, and more. Here are some situations where you should use HLS:

1. If you want to delight your viewers​

HLS was developed with the goal of providing an uninterrupted and great viewing experience to users. So, if you want to ensure that your viewers have the best possible experience when watching your content, HLS is the way to go!

2. If you’re streaming live events​

HTTP Live Streaming is the perfect choice for streaming live events such as sports, concerts, conferences, etc. The protocol is designed for reliability and scalability so that you can stream large-scale live events without any hiccups! The only thing that you need to work around is latency, which has a couple of quick fixes.

3. If you want to reach a global audience​

One of the best things about HLS is that it’s compatible with all major browsers and platforms. This means that you can use the same protocol to deliver content to users on different devices and across different geographical regions. So, if you want to reach a global audience with your content, HLS should be your go-to streaming protocol!

4. If you need a simple implementation​

Another great thing about HLS is that it’s extremely easy to implement. All you need is a standard web server and you can start streaming content right away!

When Not to Use the HLS Protocol?​

While HTTP Live Streaming comes with a lot of advantages, there are also some situations where you should avoid using it. Here are some situations where you shouldn’t use the HLS protocol:

1. If latency is a major concern for you​

As mentioned earlier, one of the biggest challenges with HLS is latency – the time it takes for video data to travel from the server to the client. This can be problematic if you’re trying to stream live events like web conferencing or sports! There are various solutions available that can help reduce this latency, but it’s something you should keep in mind if you’re planning on using HLS for your project.

2. If you have limited bandwidth​

Another drawback of HLS is that it requires a minimum internet speed of 400 kbps for low-quality videos. Anything less can cause challenges not only in streaming but also keeping the lip sync intact. So, if you’re looking to deliver content to users in these situations, HLS may not be the best choice for you!

To Wrap It Up...​

HTTP Live Streaming is an extremely versatile streaming protocol. It comes with a lot of advantages including all-device delivery, excellent quality, cost-efficiency, privacy and security, support for multiple languages, closed captioning, subtitles, and audio descriptions.

While it has some drawbacks such as latency and internet speed requirements, there are various solutions available that can help address these challenges. So, if you’re looking for a streaming protocol that is compatible with all major browsers and platforms, delivers great quality, and is easy to implement, HLS should be your go-to choice!

‍

"Exorcist."

This was the name of the secret project that would soon revolutionize the internet. The year is 2002. A team of engineers at Macromedia, later acquired by Adobe, are hard at work on a new streaming protocol. RTMP, or Real-Time Messaging Protocol, is what they call it. And, it is soon going to be an integral part of the digital video ecosystem.

For the uninitiated, Adobe's Macromedia Flash Player was once a must-have to watch videos online. If you didn't have it, you couldn't watch over 90% of the digital videos. It was that simple! This was because RTMP was a proprietary technology exclusively used in the flash player.

But this hegemony was only until HTML5 came along and started making the flash player obsolete. RTMP, however, persisted.

In a nutshell, RTMP is a protocol that allows for high-quality, low-latency streaming of audio and video data over the internet. It was designed specifically for Flash Player to stream online videos.

• RTMP is a TCP-based protocol, which means it uses a constant connection between the client and server. This allows for real-time streaming of data with no interruptions.
• RTMP also supports multiplexing, so multiple streams can be sent over a single connection. This is useful for scenarios like live events where there are several cameras or microphones in use.
• RTMP is a very versatile protocol and can be used for a variety of applications beyond just streaming video. For example, it can also be used for audio conferencing and file transfer.

History of RTMP: How RTMP became popular?​

RTMP was developed to solve a perennial problem the internet was struggling with during its early days. It was the delivery of high-quality, low-latency video streams.

Back then, there were a few platforms like Newgrounds that distributed video content online. But very little video streaming existed digitally. And, it meant waiting for 24 to 48 hours to download a 1-minute video file and then watching it on your PC.

The challenges of streaming video and audio were formidable, especially with low bandwidth and poor latency. Even Netflix was distributing DVDs physically.

In case you're unfamiliar, a video is a set of "moving pictures". The video, as we know it, is this set of moving pictures coupled with a soundtrack (audio file). During the early internet days, transmitting a single image was challenging due to multiple reasons. Sending a playable video and audio stream together was a different ballgame altogether.

That's where RTMP came in. It delivered a smooth, high-quality video and audio stream with minimal latency. For the first time, people could actually watch VHS-level video quality on the internet. Nevertheless, RTMP was still a proprietary protocol used in Adobe Flash Player. That’s how the player became the de-facto standard for watching online videos. However, its days were numbered.

Concerns started getting raised about Flash Player’s security, reliability, and performance by the late-2000. In 2010, Steve Jobs famously wrote an open letter called "Thoughts on Flash". It mentioned how Flash Player was not suitable for smartphones. A debate raged soon after, which marked the beginning of the end of Flash Player.

In 2011, Adobe made RTMP open source while still keeping its encrypted version proprietary. HTML5 launched in 2014 and eliminated the need for Flash plugins. By 2016, major browsers, including Google Chrome, blocked Flash by default and gave preference to HTML5 instead.

Ultimately, in 2017, Adobe announced it would stop maintaining Flash Player. This effectively pulled the plug on the player and, with it, on RTMP... well, almost!

So, Is RTMP dead?​

No, it isn’t. Even though Flash Player has now been phased out by Adobe and RTMP is mostly deprecated for general use, the protocol continues to live on.

RTMP has been adopted as a standard by many popular streaming platforms like YouTube Live, Facebook Live, etc. Even though the Flash Player is now gone, platforms also need RTMP due to legacy reasons or to tap some of the protocol’s wide-ranging advantages.

But why are leading industry names using a deprecated protocol? Doesn’t it go against the general logic?

The answer is "no" again. This is because they either don’t use RTMP or use it for first-mile delivery (more on this in the next section). For instance, streaming platforms like YouTube Live and Facebook Live use RTMP for ingestion (or receiving a video stream). Platforms may also be using a variant of the protocol called RTMPS, an encrypted RTMP that uses TLS/SSL for security. The 'S' in RTMPS stands for 'Secure'.

Alternatives to RTMP​

RTMPS isn't the only streaming protocol worth mentioning. There are several other strong contenders given the use cases.

But before we begin, we must note that people tend to compare first-mile (ingest) protocols (such as RTMP and SRT) with last-mile (delivery) protocols (such as HLS or DASH). This isn’t the right comparison to make. It’s like comparing a fuel tank of a vehicle to its tailpipe. Both have different purposes. Both do what they’re designed to do. And, you need both to get the job done.

We should compare first-mile protocols like RTMP with other first-mile protocols such as SRT, WebRTC, or even proprietary protocols, and last-mile protocols with other last-mile protocols.

That being said, here are some first-mile alternatives to RTMP streaming:

1. Secure Reliable Transport (SRT)​

Secure Reliable Transport is an open source protocol developed by Haivision that aims to deliver low-latency video over the internet. We can use SRT for both live and on-demand content. It offers several features such as encryption, error correction, and adaptive bitrate streaming. The main advantage of SRT is its low latency (around 1 second) which makes it ideal for live events where every second counts. However, SRT is relatively new and doesn’t have adequate encoder and media server support as of now.

2. Web Real-Time Communications (WebRTC)​

Web Real-Time Communication is a browser-based protocol that allows for real-time audio and video communication with no plugins or extra software. WebRTC is supported by most modern browsers including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. The main advantage of using WebRTC is that it’s built into the browser so there’s no need to install anything else. Another benefit is that since it’s peer-to-peer, there’s usually no need for a server in the middle which reduces costs. However, it doesn’t offer some of the same features as RTMP such as security and access control (DRM). It also brings up challenges in terms of scalability.

3. Reliable Internet Stream Transport (RIST)​

Reliable Internet Stream Transport is a new open source protocol developed by the Video Services Forum. It’s designed to provide low latency streaming with added features such as security and error correction. RIST is still in development so it’s not widely used yet. But once it’s finalized, it could be a strong contender for RTMP replacement given its feature set and open source nature. Right now, it is not fair to compare RIST with RTMP. It is more comparable with SRT.

4. Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP)​

Real-Time Streaming Protocol is a network control protocol that’s been around for quite some time. It’s most commonly used for IP cameras but can also be used for streaming video from a media server. It’s also an ingest-only protocol. RTSP offers several features such as authentication, encryption, and access control. The main advantage of using RTSP is that it’s well supported by most IP camera manufacturers. However, it doesn’t have wide adoption outside the surveillance market so finding encoders and media servers that support RTSP can be difficult.

Now, coming back to RTMP, it's safe to say that the protocol isn’t dead and is far from being so in the near future. While it might not be as widely used as it once was, RTMP continues to power some of the most popular live-streaming platforms and applications today.

Let’s understand why.

Advantages of RTMP​

1. Involves Lower Overheads​

RTMP leverages chunking, which breaks large messages into smaller ones at the higher-level protocol. These small messages have a compressed representation of information in their chunk headers, which reduces the overhead significantly.

2. Offers Low Latency​

Since RTMP uses a constant connection between the client and server, it's able to offer low latency streaming with minimal interruptions. The latency of RTMP is below 5 seconds.

3. Is Widespread and Adequately Supported​

RTMP has been around for a long time and is one of the most widely used streaming protocols. This has resulted in wider support from encoders, media servers, and other streaming-related software and hardware.

4. Allows for Multiplexing​

RTMP allows multiple streams to be sent over a single connection. This is useful in cases where there are multiple cameras or microphones in use (like live events). The protocol can send different formats of audio (MP3, AAC, etc.), video (FLV, MP4, etc), and text into one cohesive package.

5. Adaptability​

RTMP is a very versatile protocol. It can be used for live streaming, video on demand (VOD), real-time messaging, and more. The protocol further allows the user to skip or rewind sections or join a live stream midway.

6. Access Control​

RTMP also supports access control, which allows you to restrict who can view your live stream. This is useful if you only want certain people to have access to your stream. You can also use RTMP to create simple DRM solutions.

7. Scalability​

RTMP is a very scalable protocol. This aspect becomes important if you’re planning on streaming to a large number of viewers.

Disadvantages of RTMP​

1. HTTP Incompatibility​

RTMP is incompatible with HTTP. You will need to build an RTMP Server or use a CDN for an RTMP stream.

2. Is Not Supported by All Browsers​

Hardly any browser supports proper RTMP. In such cases, they run into playback and compatibility issues. This can limit its usefulness for streaming purposes.

3. Bandwidth Issues​

RTMP streaming can also get crippled by bandwidth-related challenges. This leads to a sub-optimal user experience. It also has some low-bandwidth vulnerabilities.

4. Legacy Protocol​

RTMP is now considered outdated and is maintained because of legacy purposes. This support may dwindle with time.

These were some disadvantages of RTMP. Although the protocol may phase out later, it isn’t happening soon. Even so, RTMP might continue to exist in some form or the other.

So, where is the middle ground?​

While innovative protocols such as HLS and DASH solve the major challenges in streaming high-quality and secure videos, they’re not the best way forward for encoding. HLS- and DASH-compatible encoders have high latency (up to 45 seconds) for live streams. So, the middle ground, as it turns out to be, comes across as RTMP ingestion.

RTMP ingest is a process that's used for encoding videos using the RTMP technology and then delivering it to an online video platform like Teyuto. Here, by creating an RTMP Server, the online video platform takes in the RTMP video feed and transmuxes it into the HLS format for optimum playback and streaming experience. This is the best approach and gives you the best of both worlds.

To sum it up...​

RTMP is a legacy protocol that's used for streaming audio and video data over the internet. Even though it's been deprecated for general use, the protocol continues to live on owing to its many advantages including lower overheads and sub-5-second latency.

RTMP has its unique advantages and disadvantages. If you have to decide to go with RTMP or not, give preference to protocols like HLS and DASH instead. They’re popular and internet standard for a reason. But, at the end of the day, the choice is yours to make. Choose wisely!

‍

Do you know how much the channel So Yummy, with 9.1 million subscribers on YouTube, earns? $420.27 thousand per year. Tasty, subscribed to by 21 million people on YouTube, takes home more than a million dollars annually. Even so, these earnings are nothing compared to Village Cooking Channel, which generates an estimated $6.9 million ad revenues a year with its 18.3 million subscribers.

The question is, how do these channels make so much money? Well, they satisfy people’s appetites – visually, at least! They are subscribed to and viewed by millions of gastronomes across the globe every day.

Your mind is racing right now. “I love cooking,” dreaming of a 6-digit income, you think, “can a cooking channel be my perfect break?”

It's a very good question. I'll say that if you never try, you’ll never know. For instance, the Village Cooking Channel started in 2018. In just four years, it has emerged as one of the biggest channels on YouTube. Perhaps, you may be the next big thing in the online cooking space.

The answer is simple – by starting your own cooking channel on YouTube. Of course, it’s not as easy as it sounds. You must invest time, effort, and money into building a successful channel. But if you are passionate about cooking and willing to put in the hard work, starting a YouTube cooking channel can be extremely rewarding financially, professionally, and emotionally.

So, what does it take to become a home chef?​

All you have to do is follow these steps and you're good to go:

1. Pick a Niche​

The first step is to pick your niche. There are all sorts of channels on YouTube. The trick is to find something you are passionate about that has enough demand from viewers. For food channels, some popular niches include baking, cooking with kids, ethnic cuisine, vegetarian/vegan recipes, budget-friendly meals, and gluten-free recipes, among others. Once you have picked your niche, stick with it. Build a loyal audience by consistently creating content people love and appreciate.

2. Ensure Your Channel is Engaging​

Next up is building an engaging channel around your chosen niche. This involves creating high-quality content that educates, entertains, and inspires your viewers. Remember, your goal is to stand out from the millions of others on YouTube. So, make sure your content is original, fresh, and engaging.

Also, don’t forget to optimize your videos for video SEO. This will help you rank higher in search results and get more views.

Some tips for creating engaging content:

• Create attractive visuals​

• Use props and fun graphics​

• Keep it (mostly) short and sweet​

• Be personal and relatable​

• Tell a story​

• Use eye-catching titles and thumbnails​

3. Create a Schedule​

Consistency is vital while building a successful YouTube channel. You need to be regular with your uploads if you want to keep your viewers engaged. Otherwise, YouTube’s algorithm may not rate your content well. Creating a content calendar will also help you stay organized and on track. Plan ahead and schedule your videos for the month/week so that you always have something new and exciting for your audience. Trust me, they will appreciate it!

4. Monetize Your Channel​

Now that you have built an engaged following, it’s time to start monetizing your channel. On YouTube, creators use multiple monetization strategies. Some of them include ads, sponsorships, affiliate marketing, and merchandising.

While many target ad revenues initially, some of the most effective ways to earn right from the beginning are by selling branded merchandise and creating exclusive content for paid subscribers. You can use feature-intensive platforms such as Teyuto to seamlessly create your branded OTT website. For instance, Teyuto equips you with its drag-and-drop channel builder. So, you can create stellar while-label video platforms even with zero coding knowledge. Unlike other service providers, the platform also charges zero commissions on your memberships. So, you get to keep 100% of the entire amount (well, almost as it depends on your Stripe commission tier). Check out Teyuto and its exhaustive features today. There's an ongoing free trial right now.

Sponsorships and affiliate marketing are also lucrative. However, you must note that these monetization techniques take away considerable creative liberty from you. At times, sponsorship deals even dictate how you present the sponsored product(s), ask for view guarantees, or may prevent the use of other products by competing brands.

Ultimately, it’s your channel and depends on how you want to monetize it. But, my two cents would be to give higher preference to merchandise sales, subscriptions, and other alternatives that provide you with complete creative control.

5. Develop Your Social Media Presence​

Your focus should not be limited to YouTube. Promoting your content also on social media platforms can do wonders for your reach and engagement. So, create a strong presence on popular platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, and LinkedIn. It will help you tap into new audiences and drive traffic to your YouTube channel and branded website.

You can also use social media to connect with other influencers in your niche. Collaborating with them will help you tap into their massive audience base and grow your following exponentially!

What do I need to make cooking videos?​

Well, a smartphone camera is enough to get started. However, if you want to take your channel up a notch later, invest in some good quality equipment. They are listed below in order that you must buy them.

Remember, you can and should get started with your smartphone camera and makeshift apparatus. Only purchase these equipment when you get results and have enough financial bandwidth. Don't break your bank buying them.

1. Video Editing Software: After recording your video, you will need to edit it before uploading it online. You will need video editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or iMovie. These software solutions are used to add graphics, transitions, titles, and so on., to make your videos more engaging and visually appealing.
2. Microphone: A microphone is one of the first things that you must buy. It is because videos created using a smartphone often have sound-related issues. To solve this issue, you can record audio and video separately and merge them during video editing when you’re just starting up. Later, you can get a lavalier microphone and clip it onto your clothes.‍
3. Tripod: A tripod will help you keep the camera steady and avoid shaky videos. You can also purchase gimbal when you are more profitable.
4. Camera: A DSLR or a mirrorless camera helps you create high-quality videos. Get your hands on them if you want to create professional-grade videos. You’ll also need to learn how to use their different modes and settings to produce awe-striking videos.‍
5. Lighting: Adequate lighting is crucial for creating well-lit and stunning shots. You can use natural light during the daytime or invest in some LED lights for artificial lighting. The lighting ultimately depends on how your overall setup is.‍
6. Backdrop: A backdrop helps in making your videos look more polished and professional. It also makes it easier to edit the video as you don’t have to worry about unwanted objects in the frame.‍
7. Lens: A good quality lens will help you capture a sharp and clear video. If you’re shooting in low light, get a fast lens with a large aperture (f/1.8 or f/2.8).

Final Thoughts​

With this equipment list, you are now ready to shoot cooking videos like a pro! But before you hit the record button, there are a few others to consider.

• Keep it real

Be yourself, and don’t imitate others. Viewers can see through fakes and appreciate originality as well as genuineness.

• Be relatable

Share your personal experiences, cooking tips, and hacks that make your life easier in the kitchen. Make such experiences as close to the audiences that you’re catering to. For instance, avoid kiln-based recipes if your audience is unlikely to have a kiln. You will eventually get many of these insights in your comments section.

• Engage with your audience

Respond to comments and queries from your viewers. It will help you build a strong community of followers who love and support your work.

• Keep learning

There is always room for improvement. So, keep trying new things and experimenting with different techniques to evolve as a chef.

• Have fun

Last but not least, enjoy the process! After all, cooking is supposed to be fun, right? So by enjoying the process, you’ll have fun doing what you love and improve your chances of success with superior motivation.

That’s it! These are some simple tips that will help you get started on your journey to becoming a home chef. Just remember – consistency, quality, originality, and engagement are key to success. So, keep at it, and don’t give up! Who knows? You might just become the next big thing in the YouTube food space.

Alright. So, a couple of weeks ago we discussed what is video monetization and how to go about it. We shared with you a detailed strategy to start earning money from your video content. We also delved into different formats you can leverage to make more money from your video channel(s).

In that post, we informed you that irrespective of the path you choose, YouTube will remain integral to your overall strategy. Why? YouTube has 2.6 billion monthly active users – that’s about one-third of the global population. Every day, billions of hours are streamed on YouTube and the figure keeps growing year after year. It barely comes as a surprise then that YouTubers like Ryan Kaji, who started YouTubing in 2015 or when he was just four years old, are making millions of dollars in annual income.

To give you a perspective, Ryan doesn’t make money only via ad revenues from his 7 YouTube channels (i.e. Ryan’s World, Ryan Family Review, The Studio Space, Combo Panda, VTubers, Gus The Gummy Gator, and EK Doodles) but also through his television series on Nick Jr. “Ryan’s Mystery Playdate”, video games, brand deals, branded product lines, and more!

This brings us to an interesting question. How do leading YouTubers monetize their channels? As in, what are the sources of their earnings?

Well, fret not! We’ve created a list of top YouTube channels and their monetization strategy for you to take inspiration from. Let us know in the comments which strategy you think is the best.

Monetization on YouTube is fairly simple. A content creator uploads videos to the platform, people watch them, YouTube places ads before, in between, and after the videos, and the content creator gets a share of the revenues generated via ads.

You must note that this is an oversimplified version of how YouTubers make a living. In reality, content creators adopt a very complex monetization strategy to optimize their channel revenues. Take Ryan as an example. He doesn’t limit his earnings by ad revenues. He has active commercial partnerships and brand deals while he also sells manufactured products and accessories to boost his income.

Similarly, T-Series, the most subscribed channel on YouTube, is an Indian record label that single-handedly dominates the Bollywood music landscape. Its revenues majorly come from licensing fees, royalties, and sales of cassettes and CDs. Ad revenues from YouTube would only form a fraction of its income when compared to its other sources.

So, without further ado, let’s get to know some top YouTube channels and what are their monetization strategies.

1. T-Series – 225 Million Subscribers – 202 Billion Views

Although T-Series made its YouTube debut in 2006, the channel shot into the global limelight in late 2018, when it neared the subscriber count of PewDiePie, the most subscribed YouTube channel back then. By 2019, T-Series dethroned PewDiePie as the most subscribed YouTube channel and has retained the title ever since.

As already informed, T-Series is a music label company and earns most of its revenues via copyrights and licenses. However, it has had success with movie production as well. It often co-produces movies with other major production houses. Here are some of the revenue sources for T-Series:

• Multi-channel Network

T-Series has a multi-channel network of more than 30 channels on YouTube. Some of these channels include T-Series Tamil, T-Series Telugu, Bollywood Classics, and Lahiri Music alongside others. Some estimates suggest that T-Series makes more than $128 million annually via YouTube.

• Music Production & Distribution

As Asia’s largest music label, T-Series produces thousands of songs every year in multiple languages. The company also has an expansive network of recording studios headquartered in Noida, India. Furthermore, T-Series has partnerships with streaming services as well as radio stations and provides its content to them at a premium.

• Movie and Web Series Production

Over the years, T-Series has diversified its offerings and is frequently seen producing movie titles in partnership with major movie production houses. Now, the company is entering into OTT content by developing “binge-worthy” web series.

• Cable License

The company provides licenses to cable operators and distribution networks including telecast of audio songs, visual songs, music, repertoire, and other contents of T-Series.

• Retail License

T-Series extends retail licenses to mobile shops, internet cafes, photo and video studios, and other commercial organizations.

1. CoComelon – 143 Million Subscribers – 139 Billion Views

Although CoComelon is the second-most subscribed channel, all other channels pale in comparison to CoComelon’s popularity on YouTube. For instance, while T-Series has amassed 225 million subscribers and 202 billion views with more than 17,500 videos, CoComelon has achieved 143 million subscribers and 139 billion views with roughly 800 videos.

The allure of CoComelon is in its adorable nursery rhymes and eye-catching as well as lively animation. The kids’ channel releases about two videos per week while the brains behind it maintain a very low profile. This low profile empowers the creators of CoComelon to maintain unmatched levels of focus and productivity while managing a team of 20 professionals.

It must be noted here that the channel is operated by an American company Treasure Studio and was acquired by British new media conglomerate Moonbug in 2020. However, in 2022, Moonbug was itself acquired by Candle Media, a joint venture of two former Disney executives.

The major revenue sources of Cocomelon include:

• Multichannel Network

CoComelon has a multichannel network of 33 channels including CoComelon - It’s Cody Time, CoComelon Animal Time, Little Baby Bum, and vernacular-based channels. On top of 143 million subscribers of the main CoComelon channel, the multichannel network adds more than 50 million subscribers to the list.

It is estimated that the platform earns anywhere from $850 thousand to over $5 million every month via YouTube.

• TV Broadcasts

CoComelon also airs on the television on channels like Universal Kids and Cartoon Network’s Cartoonito. The nursury rhyming channel has also been featured on BBC IPlayer and Tiny Pop in the United Kingdom.

• Albums

The CoComelon characters are nothing short of rockstars for kids across the globe. Hence, it isn’t a surprise to see CoComelon selling its hit songs and rhymes as albums such as “Nursury Rhymes by CoComelon”, “CoComelon Animal Play”, “CoComelon Calm Lullabies”, and “CoComelon Kids Birthday Party”.

• Music Streaming Platforms

You can also stream into CoComelon’s ear-pleasing musical masterpieces on Amazon Music, Spotify, and Apple Music. The company charges these streaming services a royalty fee for the respective streams.

• Merchandise

In 2020, CoComelon stepped up its revenue generation game by introducing branded merchandise and toys by the name of CoComelon and Blippi. The company’s product lineup ranges from apparel and accessories to toys and homeware.

• Events

Since 2021, CoComelon has started conducting physical events with speaking characters and live tours across several locations in the MENA regions as well as the US. The company generates revenues via ticketing and sponsorships of these events.

1. PewDiePie – 111 Million Subscribers – 28 Billion Views

One of the most-noted internet personality and content creator, Felix Arvid Ulf Kjellberg, popularly known as “PewDiePie”, is no ordinary YouTuber. He held the title as the most watched and most-subscribed channel from 2013 to 2019 despite being an individual content creator. Even today, PewDiePie is the most-subscribed channel on YouTube managed by an individual.

PewDiePie’s claim to fame came through his video game commentaries and “Let’s Play” videos. During his early days, the Swedish YouTuber had to support himself financially by working as a harbor captain, selling hot dogs, and making Photoshop prints. The YouTuber’s funny takes and interesting content, however, made him a YouTube celebrity just a couple of years down the line.

• YouTube Ad Revenues

PewDiePie operates two channels on YouTube, i.e. PewDiePie and PewDiePie Highlights. However, he has now moved to Japan and stopped actively posting Let’s Play videos on his channel after 2019. He now posts casually on the platform and estimates suggest that he makes $10k to $60k per month.

• Merchandise

PewDiePie sells everything from hats to t-shirts, beanies, and whatnot. He operates his own unisex clothing line called Tsuki with his wife Marzia and also has several branded deals in place with various brands for branded merchandise.

• Book Royalty

In 2015, the Swedish YouTuber released his first book called “This Book Loves You”. The book is a parody of self-help books and became the New York Time Bestseller for two weeks straight right after its release.

• Facebook Watch

In 2021, PewDiePie signed a contract with Jellysmack for the optimization and distribution of its video content for a Facebook Watch audience.

• Exclusive Deals

Being an internet celebrity with cult-like following, PewDiePie also has exclusive content deals in place with platforms for different categories of videos. Some of his known previous and current partnerships include platforms like YouTube and DLive alongside others.

• Games

In 2016, PewDiePie launched a smartphone game called Tuber Simulator in collaboration with Outerminds Inc. The freemium simulation game is loosely based on PewDiePie and requires the player to create videos, generate views, make enhancements, and participate in competitions. Earlier in 2015, he had launched a critically acclaimed and financially successful game called PewDiePie: Legend of the Brofist. Other games released by him include PewDiePie’s Pixelings, Poopdie, and Animal Super Squad.

• Sponsorship and Affiliate Marketing

Lastly, PewDiePie also leverages sponsorships and affiliate marketing to generate revenues. Some of his sponsors include Arkade, Legendary Pictures, and Mountain Dew while his video descriptions include affiliate links to NordVPN and his personal setup comprising chair, browser, keyboard, and mouse.

1. MrBeast – 104 Million Subscribers – 17 Billion Views

MrBeast began YouTubing in 2012 but he wouldn’t see any significant success until 2017, or when his “Counting to 100,000” video went viral. He hasn’t looked back ever since. He emerged as one of the 10 highest-paid YouTubers in 2020 and the highest-paid YouTuber in 2021.

The first viral video of MrBeastThe YouTuber is known for creating a unique niche with his competitive and expensive stunt videos backed by amazing giveaways. In a recent video, upon achieving 100 million subscribers, MrBeast donated a private island to one of his subscribers. The YouTuber is also known for his Let’s Play videos, entrepreneurial stints, and philanthropic activities.

• YouTube Ad Revenues

MrBeast has more than 104 million subs on his main channel and another 81 million on 5 other channels, namely MrBeast Gaming, Beast Reacts, MrBeast Shorts, MrBeast 2, and Beast Philanthropy. It is estimated that MrBeast earns anywhere from $90K to over a million dollars per month via ad revenues on YouTube.

• Sponsored Videos

Sponsorship is the primary revenue source for MrBeast. He primarily funds his videos using deals with high-end brands, promoting their product in his viral videos. While such sponsorship may appear expensive, according to researchers, they are quite cost-effective as MrBeast’s higher engagement and reception easily outweigh TV advertisements.

• MrBeast Burger

On top of being a YouTuber, MrBeast is actually an entrepreneur at heart. In 2020, he founded a virtual restaurant that is currently live across more than 1,000 locations in North America and Europe. Its customers enjoy MrBeast’s burgers, french fries, beverages, and desserts via food delivery apps, and the product is fulfilled via a contracted kitchen or restaurant.

• Feastables

In January 2022, MrBeast announced the launch of his chocolate company called Feastables. In his unique style, MrBeast organized a competition inspired by “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”. Sweepstakes worth $1 million accompanied the brand launch in the movie-themed event.

• Investments

MrBeast has also invested in tech startups Backbone and Current. In 2021, he also launched Juice Funds in partnership with Creative Juice, an investment fund for content creators worth $2 million.

• Merchandise

MrBeast offers a large collection of merchandise including hoodies, T-shirts, stickers, and key rings on his online store front.

1. Kids Diana Show – 101 Million Subscribers – 81 Billion Views

They say age is just a number. This young Ukrainian YouTuber and her brother are here to prove it to you with a net worth of over $448.29 million. Some estimates peg this figure at around $627.61 million. Diana creates content related to children’s songs, vlogs, infotainment, product unboxing, and role-plays. She started her journey in 2015 with casual video uploads by her mother. However, her channel amassed 1 million subscribers in less than a year, prompting her parents to leave their full-time jobs and move to the US.

Diana is now an internet celebrity with her own franchise called, “Love, Diana – The Princess of Play”. She also has a live-action animated series, which features on YouTube, Amazon Prime, The Roku Channel, and Samsung TV+. Here are some of the major revenue sources for the Kids Diana Show.

• Multichannel Network

Diana and her family run a total of 12 channels on top of their main channel Kids Diana Show. These channels include Love, Diana, Diana and Roma ESP, Diana and Roma ARA, and Diana and Roma Arabic to name a few. The tally of all these channels leads to over 250 million subscribers. Estimates suggest that all of these properties create an ad-based revenue of $1 million to $6 million every month.

• Love, Diana – The Princess of Play Franchise

In 2021, in association with Pocket.Watch, Diana launched a franchise called Love, Diana – The Princess of Play. The franchise distributes games, animated series, merchandise, and more!

• Song Streaming

Diana and Roma’s songs are available on popular music streaming platforms including Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Music, YouTube Music, etc. As a result, they also earn royalties from music streaming.

Does YouTube Pay Every Month?​

Yes. If you’re a member of the YouTube Partner Program and reach AdSense’s minimum threshold of $100 (or £60), you can opt for a payout that month. YouTube for AdSense issues all payouts between the 21st and the 26th of the next month. You can also choose a later date to get paid. You must note here that these dates depend on your timezone and whether it’s a public or bank holiday on 21st (and the days that follow).

Can anyone earn on YouTube?​

Yes, anyone can earn by monetizing their video content on YouTube. However, the Google-owned platform has a strict monetization policy. It requires its content creators to have at least 4,000 hours of publicly watched content in the last year and at least 1,000 subscribers. You must also have a linked AdSense account with no active Community Guidelines strikes on your channel. Lastly, you must live in a country where YouTube’s Partner Program is available. Check out the detailed YouTube Partner Program Overview here.

But, as the list would have made it clear, ad revenues are not a stable source of income generation. Typically, YouTubers dabble into other revenue generation sources on top of their YouTube streams to optimize their income. Here’s a video that details various monetization practices adopted by creators on YouTube.

Is YouTube the only place to earn via videos?​

If you’ve read our blog on video monetization, you may remember that YouTube forms an integral part of your video monetization strategy because it is the largest video search engine and the second-largest search engine on the internet. Even if you create your own OTT platform, you’d still need to maintain a presence on YouTube. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and all other major OTT platforms do so. YouTube is where your audience is going to find you and your content. Once they do, you have to drive them toward your platform and tap other major sources of monetization such as paid memberships, merchandise sales, exclusive content, and so forth.

To do so, you can leverage video monetization platforms such as Teyuto and create your OTT platform in a hassle-free manner. Teyuto not only allows you to create your OTT channel with its drag-and-drop channel builder but also equips you with superior branding options including the look and feel of your video player. Also, unlike other video monetization platforms (such as YouTube, Patreon, and others), Teyuto does not charge you a commission on your memberships. You get to keep the entire amount! It’s your hard-earned money, after all.

Lastly, is becoming a YouTuber easy?​

To be honest with you, no, it isn’t. According to Statista, 500 hours of videos were uploaded to YouTube each minute back in February 2020. This is roughly 30,000 hours of new video content uploading every hour. So, it’s far from easy to compete in this realm. And, remember, this is the pre-pandemic content upload rate. Video uploads across the globe have exploded following the pandemic.

However, it doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to be a YouTuber or create video content. All you need is a great strategy to break through the clutter. There were thousands of content creators already in the fray when YouTubers like MrBeast and Kids Diana Show came into the scene. Today, they have millions of followers and are amongst the most influential people around the world. They wouldn’t have reached where they are today had they not started creating their unique content.

Just go out there. Make a few mistakes and learn from them. Who knows? Perhaps, your name would feature in this list a few years down the line. Godspeed!

“If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.”

- Marc Anthony

We all have a passion – an innate desire to do something that everything else pales in comparison. It could be anything from cooking to hiking to playing guitar, baking cakes, or even collecting stamps; something we like to do for fun. But what if our hobby could be more than our favorite pastime? What if we could turn it into a full-fledged business venture?

“Is that even possible,” you may ask. “I enjoy playing games. How can I make money out of that?” Well, stop for a moment and think. In 2020, there were 1.2 billion video game viewers across the globe who generated $9.3 billion in revenue for the industry. If you enjoy gardening, in the U.K. alone, an adult spends $670 per year on gardening-related renovations, accessories, tools, and gardening toys. Don’t you think people wouldn’t need your help with something? Even if your favorite pastime is baking cakes or guzzling beer, there’s a business opportunity waiting right for you.

There are multiple ways in which you can convert your hobby into a thriving business. Once you do that, you’ll not only be doing something you love but will also be rewarded monetarily to fuel your passion. So, without further ado, let's get started.

It is not as difficult as it may seem at first. But it becomes critical to adopt a rational and well-informed approach.

What this means is that you shouldn’t quit your day job yet. You must do a lot of groundwork before taking the plunge and determine whether it’s possible, if it’s the right move for you personally and professionally, and factor in all the scenarios. Only then can you arrive at a good decision.

So, let's begin with the basics.

Can you turn your hobby into a business venture?​

Yes, you can. In many cases, people have taken their hobbies and parlayed them into successful businesses. For example, Sara Blakely wanted to look good when she cut the feet of her pantyhose and converted the idea into Spanx, a multi-million dollar company. Similarly, Mrs. Fields Original Cookies started as a hobby. Debbi Fields’ husband didn’t believe she would sell even $50 worth of cookies on her first day. She not only sold cookies worth $75 but also became a household name in America just a few years down the line.

Amazon, The Walt Disney Company, eBay, Harley Davidson, and many others were all started as passion projects. While starting up, many of their founders didn’t imagine how far they would go. Now, it’s hard to imagine how the world would’ve been without them.

From top-left to bottom-right; image of Jeff Bezos with books, the first Harley Davidson factory, Sara Blakely, Walt Disney with Mickey Mouse goodies, and a creative of Three Bird NestThis brings the spotlight back on you. With the raging passion that you have for your hobby, do you want to create a legacy out of it? If so, then no force can ever stop you from turning your hobby into a business venture. The only worst-case scenario is that your business may not be successful right off the bat. But, it will give you a lot of learning. And, with your burning desire, you will eventually turn your dream into reality.

The truth be told, your initial idea will most likely fail. It may not fail because it’s a bad idea. It may fail because that’s how everything works. For instance, roughly 60% of all new businesses fail in their first three years because of multiple reasons. Even well-thought-out businesses that achieve pole positions in their respective segments fail. Remember Nokia? Anyhow, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t launch your business.

Looking at the bright side, there’s still a good 40% chance that you may succeed. If you don’t go ahead, this chance immediately drops to zero.

As one of the greatest all-time inventors, Thomas Alva Edison, said when asked about his failures, “I have not failed 10,000 times—I’ve successfully found 10,000 ways that will not work.” So, in the long run, don’t dwell on your mistakes. Simply focus on the one way that would ultimately work. Sooner or later, you’ll find it!

To improve your chances of success, keep this aspect in mind and always give attention to details. Eliminate all possibilities that can stop you on your path to glory. Also, make your strategy simple and straightforward, and set your expectations to the bare minimum. Remember, you’re doing this primarily because of your passion. Money, here, becomes the secondary consideration.

Should you turn your hobby into a business?​

This is a tricky question. You’re the best judge of the situation and no one else should tell you whether or not it’s a good idea. It will need you to know the pros and cons of doing so. Only after weighing them can you determine how you should proceed.

For instance, one of the pros is that you’ll be more engaged in the work and will always push up the mantel. On the other hand, you could lose interest in your hobby eventually.

Not considering such possibilities right now will have a far-reaching impact on everything from your personal to professional lives. So, here are some merits and demerits of turning your hobby into a business. Let’s cover the bitter part first.

What are some disadvantages of turning a hobby into a business?​

Well, as already mentioned, the biggest drawback of converting your hobby into a business is the likelihood of losing interest in it. Hobbies are an escape mechanism for most of us. They help us unwind and overcome stresses and boredom in our day-to-day lives. However, when they become our day job, our hobbies are no longer a few hours’ endeavors. We have to work on them full-time – even when there is no fun. Some of our liberties such as choosing projects at our will also vanish as we have to meet the bottom line of our businesses.

So, ask yourself a couple of questions. In such a scenario, how are you going to unwind if it isn’t so? Some of the other major disadvantages of making your hobby a business include,

• Your hobby may not be as profitable

The chances are that your hobby won’t be as profitable as your day job, at least during its initial phases. What will be your backup plan then? How do you plan to manage your financial commitments? What changes can you make to deal with this situation?

• It will not be easy to side hustle with your existing responsibilities

You only have 24 hours in a day and 7 days in a week. If your existing routine is jam-packed, how are you going to spare a couple of more hours on side hustles? How will you compensate for it? What will happen if your responsibilities increase?

• You may require additional investment, networking, or channel partners

Say you build a good rapport with your target audience and receive a couple of orders. It’s only that the orders have to be delivered somewhere you can’t reach. How are you going to deliver then? Similarly, say, you begin selling custom guitars and receive an overwhelming response. But your orders can only be managed if you scale up your production with a dedicated guitar manufacturing unit. Can it be done on time to meet your commitments? Do you have a prospective investor in mind to help you with it? Can you enter a channel partnership instead?

• You may not find the best opportunity

A major issue with making any hobby a profession is that either too many people will share it with you or too less. In the former scenario, enterprising individuals would have already explored major business opportunities. It will be difficult for you to compete in those segments unless you have a really great strategy. If the hobby is not so popular, then there will be too few explorable avenues, to begin with. In both cases, you’ll have to be very inventive to break through the clutter.

• You may need accreditation, copyrights, or distribution rights

Do you want to conduct a writing workshop on Harry Potter or create Harry Potter goodies? You will need the relevant permissions. Similarly, if you are good at giving financial advice and now want to begin consultation services, you will have to be a certified financial advisor. Not having proper accreditation can land you in legal and regulatory challenges. The same holds for distribution rights if you want to curate or distribute music, movies, or any other creative work.

• You may not work on your area of interest

If you enjoy gardening, you’d want to maximize your time in the garden and not while making sales calls, developing specialized tools, creating digital campaigns, editing videos, responding to emails, and so forth. But it’s a tradeoff that you will have to accept. Surely, there are ways to maximize your time in the garden, but there will always be an upper limit to it. Mostly, you’d be still working as you would in a day job. The only advantage is that it will be related to what you enjoy.

What are the greatest benefits of turning a hobby into a business?​

Now that we have covered the disadvantages, let’s jump to the good part. So, why it is still a good idea to turn your hobby into a business?

• The ability to make money from something you love doing

One of the primary benefits of turning your hobby into a business is that it allows you to make money from something you absolutely love! No longer will you have to endure the daily nine-to-five slog just so you can pay your bills. Even if your business doesn’t become successful immediately, at least, you will be spending your time and energy on something close to your heart.

Alt tag: An ecstatic women with aqua-colored hair and a lively facial expression

• Gaining new skills and knowledge with business operations

When you convert your passion project into a business, there are multiple skillsets that come along with it. You learn everything right from handling finances and managing people to marketing products/services and understanding consumer behavior. These are essential skills that remain valuable throughout your life. You also get to learn more about your hobby including industry insights, interesting facts, related activities, global events, and so forth.

• Meeting new people and networking with like-minded individuals

Another significant advantage is meeting different people who come from diverse backgrounds and share similar interests as yours. We usually stick within our social circles which may limit our exposure to fresh perspectives and ideologies, especially in our areas of interest. However, once you meet new people, suddenly an entire world of opportunities opens in front of you which may help take your business and passion further.

• The satisfaction of seeing your own creation grow

When you’re working on something you love, it is only natural to make it the best version of itself. Seeing your venture grow from its small-scale operation to a full-fledged business gives you a sense of accomplishment and pride like none other. This feeling cannot be described in words. No amount of money can ever buy this experience.

• The potential to turn your passion into a high-paying career

Imagine being able to do what you love every single day and getting paid handsomely for it. Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? It’s what you do when you turn your passion into a career and be your absolute best at that.

• Having the freedom and flexibility to work on your own terms

One major perk of being your own boss is the power to design your work schedule around things that are important to you. No more reporting early for meetings or working late nights – if running errands or taking care of personal commitments during office hours works better for you, then so be it! Of course, this newfound freedom does come with its share of responsibilities. But, ultimately, it feels great knowing that you are in control.

• Creating a legacy that you can pass down to future generations

Last but not least, when you build a business from scratch, there’s always the potential of it becoming a legacy that can be passed down to future generations – be it in your family, professional circles, or pop culture. In one's lifetime, very few people accomplish this milestone.

These points will give you a fair idea about what could be the advantages and disadvantages of making a living out of your hobby. Consider these points and arrive at a conclusion that works best for you.

Now, let's get to the meat of the piece. Let’s understand how to master the art of making money from your passion.

Alright, so how can I make money off my hobby?​

Turning your favorite activity into a business requires careful consideration and strategic planning. Here are a few ideas to get started:

1. Start by selling what you already have:​

If you love crafting items like jewelry at home, why not start by selling them online? This will give you an estimate of the demand for such products or services and also help raise initial capital for your venture. You can leverage eCommerce platforms such as Amazon, Etsy, etc. It will help if the platform you choose specializes in your particular offering. You will also have to develop the know-how of marketing your product on the relevant platforms.

Here, it’s critical to note that any eCommerce marketplace such as Amazon, eBay, etc. is going to charge you a hefty commission. However, you'll just have to deal with it. It’s because similar traction wouldn't be possible on your digital storefront initially.

Still, you must go ahead and create your branded storefront. There are tons of platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce to help you with this.

But why do you need a storefront when your purchases are more likely to come from elsewhere? Because that’s where you want your retained customers to be ultimately. It will not only give a boost to your customer loyalty and brand-building exercises but will also minimize your overheads on commissions.

2. Create informational content​

One of the best ways to make money from your hobby is to create, distribute, and sell informative content related to it. This can be in the form of e-books, podcasts, webinars, or even live streaming as well as pre-recorded video courses. For example, if cooking is your thing, then you can create a video series on some cuisine or start a recipe channel highlighting different dishes from around the world. There are multiple platforms that allow you to sell this content such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, Gumroad, Udemy, etc. But here, again, you’ll have to deal with commissions.

A better strategy can be to create videos for YouTube, gain decent subscribers, and then promote your paid products or services occasionally. You can also integrate video courses on your website or mobile app using video monetization platforms like Teyuto. Such platforms not only eliminate commissions but also give you unmatched control over your branding – down to the look and feel of your video player!

Teyuto also makes it easier for you to build your white-label platform without writing a single line of code, thanks to its drag-and-drop channel builder. Give the platform a try. There’s an ongoing free trial right now.

3. Offer demonstration or consultation services:​

This is a great option if you have some expertise in your hobby area. You can start by giving demonstration classes or offering one-on-one consultations either online or offline. For example, if you have a knack for gardening, then you can offer tips on starting a garden, taking care of plants, and so on via pre-recorded series or live streaming sessions. You can also offer to consult people who want to start a garden of their own.

This option not only lets you make money from your hobby but is also a great way to build an audience for other content or products that you might create in the future.

4. Sell related products and services:​

If you’re really good at your hobby, then chances are that others would like to learn from you or even buy products related to it. For example, if knitting is something that comes to you naturally, then selling finished knitwear items or offering knitting classes would be a great idea. You can also sell yarns and other materials required for knitting as well as kits containing everything people need to get started. The best part about this option is that it opens up multiple revenue streams which can help stabilize your business venture in the long run.

5. Organize events around your hobby:​

If your hobby is more community-oriented, this is the best option. You can start by organizing small meetups, events, or conferences related to your hobby and then scale it up gradually as you gain traction. For example, if hiking is something that excites you, then you can start by organizing group hikes close by and then move on to longer trails in other states or even countries. Similarly, for photography enthusiasts, you can organize photo walks around your city or event-based photoshoots and eventually expand it to other interesting locations and activities.

The key here is to build a community of like-minded individuals who are passionate about the same thing as you are. You could turn them into loyal customers once you build a good rapport.

6. Be an influencer:​

If you’re adept at marketing and are popular on social media, then you can also become an influencer. Companies will pay you to promote their products/services on your social media channels provided that there’s a match between what they’re offering and your interests/hobby area. For example, GoPro pays travel bloggers and Instagrammers to post pictures using its action cameras while leading electronics manufacturers pay techies and gamers for using their products on social channels.

It takes years of hard work, consistency, and dedication to build a strong social media presence. So, prepare yourself for the long haul.

7. Write a blog or create videos on your hobby:​

This is a great option if you’re good with words and have some creative flair as well. You can start by writing articles or creating videos on topics related to your hobby. For example, if painting is your thing, then you can write about different painting techniques or review various artworks or art supplies like brushes, easels, etc. Similarly, music lovers can create artistic content and also review different musical instruments or software used in music production.

8. Collaborate with other businesses in your industry:​

If you don’t want to invest too much time and effort into building a business from scratch, then collaborating with other businesses in your industry could be the perfect alternative.

For example, if you love adventure sports, then getting a franchise of an established company offering the relevant services would be a great idea. It will give you access to their customer base and also help reduce costs associated with setting up and running the business. This option works well as everyone stands to gain from the collaboration – so it’s truly a no-risk, win-win situation to begin with!

9. Conduct workshops, webcasts, & webinars​

Conduct workshops, webcasts, or webinars related to your hobby where people can learn more about it while also having some fun! This works particularly well for hobbies like painting, pottery making, cake decoration, etc. People are always looking for new experiences and this provides them with a great opportunity to learn something while also spending some quality time with friends or family, if you design their experience such. For digital events, you also have the option to cross-sell branded kits to be used during such events.

10. Start a subscription service​

Why don’t you start a subscription-based service related to your hobby? This could be anything from monthly boxes of goodies for pet lovers to quarterly shipments of fresh fruits and vegetables for people who love gardening! It’s a great way to monetize your hobby. It builds up a loyal customer base while keeping people eager to receive your products or services on a regular basis.

You can also complement such subscriptions with a video content subscription and vice versa. Make sure to keep your community engaged throughout. Here, Teyuto’s community marketing tools can prove they're worth in gold, thanks to their automated emails, push messages, and other valuable features. Explore every way in which you can keep your target audience hooked.

12. Sell custom-made products​

Another great way to make money from your hobby is to sell custom-made products to people. For instance, if you’re into painting, then you could create customized paintings or sketches for people based on their requirements. You can also enter into a partnership with wholesalers and sell your branded canvas, brushes, paints, or other products to your audience.

Similarly, if woodworking is your thing, then you could make and sell custom furniture or other wooden items like jewelry boxes, photo frames, etc. personalized to your customers’ needs. The options here are endless. You just need to think out of the box.

Can’t decide? Try Live Streaming Your Hobby!​

Today, we live in a creator economy, where more than 50 million independent content creators, curators, and community builders are generating value for their audiences with their unique and compelling content. Creating video content such as a VOD or live-streaming platform is one of the ways to go forward. For instance, live streaming not only allows you to monetize your video content but also build a highly engaged community around it.

Market research reveals that an average person views 100 minutes of video content daily. And this is just your average Joe – not some video-loving, binge-watcher! So, the chances are that there will be a wider audience for your video-driven enterprise.

People literally crave captivating content on various topics. Just ‌open YouTube. Search anything that comes to your mind. Whether it’s reusable model rocket making or ant-keeping as a hobby, you’ll find that there videos on these topics and millions (and, sometimes, billions) of people have watched them. Why wouldn’t someone watch your hobby content then? At least, if you present it in a gripping format. For inspiration, you can read our blog on video monetization as well. You’ll learn everything from what channels to what your strategy should be while beginning a video venture in it. Go check it out!

In terms of beginning a venture, video making also comes with a smaller barrier to entry. All you need to have is a video camera, which, chances are, you already do. Every smartphone and laptop nowadays comes with an in-built camera. Every other accessory that you need is just an add-on.

Final thoughts​

There you have it – everything you need to know about turning your hobby into a business venture!

Just remember to take things slow at first and steady your ship while making well-informed decisions. Build up a solid foundation for your business and then take the plunge.

We hope this article was helpful in giving you some direction. If you have any further questions or would like to share your own experiences, feel free to leave a comment below!

‍

Did you know that the first movie ever streamed over the internet was way back in 1993. It was “Wax or the Discovery of Television Among the Bees”, which became a cult classic right after hitting cinemas. At that time, people did not know what are OTT platforms, but the movie was also streamed online. The only catch was that the tech constraints limited the broadcast to 2 frames per second (as opposed to the 24 frames per second that a normal broadcast would offer).

How videos have grown over the internet is a case study that everyone – from content creators and filmmakers to marketers and businesspeople – explores these days. But what’s more interesting is where this industry is headed towards.

To give you a perspective, Netflix, the world’s largest OTT platform, generated revenues worth $29.69 billion in 2021. This is more than the GDP of 112 countries recognized by the World Bank. The Disney franchise – with Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ under its fold – now has more than 235.7 million subscribers. If it was a country, it would be the s largest. YouTube has 2.6 billion active users. Period.

According to Statista, there are 3.37 billion video viewers across the globe today. Another study indicates that the average person watches about 100 minutes of videos online every day. This leads us to a fact and a question. The fact is that people need quality video content, and are ready to pay a premium for it. The question is, “Can you deliver?”

If your answer is yes, then you can not only leave your mark on this burgeoning video universe but also actively shape it with your unique OTT platform. Let’s begin with the basics.

OTT stands for “over-the-top”. It is a method of delivery where content is streamed directly to viewers over the internet, without any involvement from third-party intermediaries like cable or satellite providers. In other words, it is a way to bypass traditional distribution channels.

In general, OTT refers to video services. However, OTT can be any media service that delivers you content over the top. For instance, WhatsApp is a popular OTT messaging service, Skype is an OTT calling service, and Worldwide FM is a popular OTT radio service. The scope of this blog is majorly limited to OTT video services.

The best thing about OTT is that anyone with an active internet connection can be a part of it – there are no strings attached (literally). All you need is a digital device and voila! You can start watching or streaming your favorite shows, movies, sports, etc.

As a content creator, you must have a good OTT service provider that meets your end-to-end streaming needs.

How does OTT work?​

Though OTT content delivery seems to be fairly simple at first look, it is quite complicated with a web of moving parts operating in harmony. Its elements include decoders, encoders, integrated receivers/decoders (IRDs), transcoders, internet infrastructure, CDNs, and so forth.

Here’s a quick overview of how it works:

1. Content providers create and store digital files.
2. These files are then compressed and encoded into a format that can be streamed over the internet (like the H.264 video format).
3. The content is uploaded on servers, which could be the provider’s own or a third-party’s.
4. A CDN (Content Delivery Network) is used to distribute content across the globe. CDNs minimize latency (or loading time) while preserving the quality of content irrespective of the device used by the end-user. The end-user devices include smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops, smart TVs, gaming consoles, etc.
5. When a user wants to watch something, they send a request to the server via their OTT application, which is then routed through the CDN to their device.
6. The CDN shares the video compatible with the requesting device. The video is then decoded on the user’s device and displayed accordingly.

How do OTT platforms earn money?​

There are four primary ways in which OTT platforms make money:

1. Advertising

This is the most common way for OTT platforms to generate revenue. Advertisements are played either before, during, or after the content. The host platform then shares a percentage of this revenue with the content creators.

1. Subscription

In this model, users need to pay a monthly/yearly fee to access premium content on the platform. Netflix and Amazon Prime Video use this method exclusively while YouTube uses both advertising and subscription-based models side by side.

1. Transactional Videos

Some platforms also enable people to rent or buy video content for a limited period or a lifetime. Edtech platforms like Coursera and Udemy use this model to sell their courses.

1. Sponsorship

In this case, a brand pays the OTT platform to have its product/service featured in the content or as part of the user interface. For example, a sports equipment company can sponsor an entire cricket tournament that’s being streamed live on an OTT platform.

What are the benefits of building your own OTT platform?​

Here are some key advantages of building your own OTT platform:

1. Increased Reach and Engagement

With an OTT platform, you can reach out to a global audience with just a few clicks. This increased reach also leads to higher engagement as people can watch your content anytime, anywhere according to their convenience.

1. Greater Monetization Opportunities

An OTT platform gives you more ways to monetize your content as compared to traditional distribution channels like television or cinema halls. You can use any (or all) monetization options available to you to generate revenues from your platform.

1. Improved User Experience

OTT platforms offer a personalized user experience with features like recommendations, playlists, and so forth. This encourages people to spend more time on your platform, thereby leading to higher engagement and ROI.

1. Increased Control

With an OTT platform, you have complete control over your content. You can decide when to release it, how to price it, and who all can access it.

1. Flexibility

An OTT platform gives you the flexibility to experiment with different content formats and genres. You can even live stream events as they happen without any restrictions.

How much does it cost to launch an OTT platform?​

The cost of launching an OTT platform depends on a number of factors like the type of platform (live streaming or on-demand), features required, scalability needed, etc. Generally speaking, the cost ranges anywhere between $5000-$1 million+. However, if you want a ballpark estimate for your specific requirements, get in touch with us and we’d be happy to help! With Teyuto's OTT channel builder, you can create your own OTT platform for as little as €29 per month. The best part is that unlike a typical revenue share OTT channel builder, Teyuto charges 0% commission for your memberships and donations. Your hard earned money is yours to keep!

How to create OTT platform with an OTT platform provider?​

Now that you know everything about OTT platforms, it’s time to learn how you can create one of your own. Here’s a quick overview of the process:

1. Define Your Objective

The first step is to define your objective or the reason behind launching your OTT platform. What kind of content do you want to offer? Who is your target audience? What are your monetization goals? Once you have answers to these questions, you’ll be in a better position to move forward.

1. Choose Your Tech Stack

The next step is to choose the right technology stack for your platform. This includes selecting the right video CMS, streaming protocol, content delivery network (CDN), media server, analytics tools, etc. Depending on your budget and specific requirements, with Teyuto, you can either go for the off-the-shelf solution or develop a custom OTT platform from scratch. Register for a free trial now.

1. Design Your Platform

Once you have the technical aspects sorted out, it’s time to focus on the design of your platform. This includes everything from the user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) to branding and marketing collaterals like logos, website design, social media posts, etc. Make sure that your platform is able to offer a seamless user experience across all devices and platforms. Use Teyuto's drag-and-drop channel builder that empowers you to create a stunning platform with granular control of the look and feel of your platform, including how you want your video player to look.

1. Launch Your Platform

After taking care of all the nitty-gritty, it’s finally time to launch your much-awaited OTT platform! Make sure to promote it well so that people are aware of its existence and what it has to offer. You can use various digital marketing channels like social media marketing (SMM), search engine optimization (SEO), email marketing, etc., for this purpose.

1. Measure Performance with Reports and Analytics

The last step is to track and measure the performance of your platform with the help of reports and analytics tools. Teyuto gives you valuable insights into areas like user engagement, content consumption patterns, time spent, cart abandonment, and other parameters that help you make an informed decision. Based on these findings, you can further improve your platform to better suit the needs and preferences of your target audience.

Examples of OTT services​

It’s always a good idea to draw inspiration from existing platforms before coming up with your own. This way, you can know their strengths and weaknesses, and how to develop your unique OTT idea such that it breaks through the clutter. It’s also important to know which niche you want to cater to. So, here are different examples of OTT services to help you with it.

1. Live Streaming Platforms

Live streaming platforms let users watch live content in real-time. It could be anything – a concert, sports event, breaking news bulletin, church service, live streamed games, etc. Popular examples include StreamYard, Twitch, and Restream.

There are two major categories of live streaming, i.e. one-to-many live streaming and many-to-many live streaming.

1. One-to-many live streaming

As the name implies, one-to-many live streaming platforms empower users to broadcast their video feed in real time. This video feed may either involve a pre-recorded video that is streamed at a specific moment or can be recorded and streamed live. Some of the major OTT platform example for live streaming platforms are as follows:

• Twitch

Twitch is one of the most popular one-to-many live streaming platforms. It has carved a niche in video game live streaming, esports competitions, creative content, music broadcast, and real-life streaming.

• StreamYard

StreamYard is a leading in-browser streaming platform. It not only minimizes broadcasters’ requirements to get going with streaming but also ensures that they can multistream across many platforms including YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and more. The platform can further integrate incoming video streams from multiple users and combine them into a single live feed – a form of many-to-many live streaming.

1. Many-to-many live streaming

While one-to-many live streaming streams a video from a single source to multiple end-users, many-to-many live streaming involves multiple concurrent live streams. Teleconferencing is a prime example of many-to-many interactions. Many-to-many live streaming platforms aren’t generally considered an OTT platform but OTT video conferencing solutions. Some of their examples include

• Zoom

‍

Zoom is a leading video conferencing software application. It has extensive use cases and comes loaded with features such as whiteboards, screen sharing, comments, immersive view, screen recording, third-party app integrations, and admin controls to name a few.

• Google Meet

Google Meet is a freemium video conferencing solution developed by Google. It is popular for instant meetings and webinars, and also because it’s fairly easy to join via a video link (rather than downloaded software using Zoom). The calls can further go on for 24 hours and provide extensive functionalities including Q&A, live polls, background blur, whiteboards, screen sharing, and more.

1. Video-On-Demand (VOD) Platforms

As the name suggests, VOD platforms offer pre-recorded content that can be watched anytime, anywhere. These platforms give users the power to control what they want to watch and when they want to watch it. YouTube, Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video are some of the most popular on-demand platforms out there.

This category is divided into four subcategories.

1. Subscription Video On Demand

The streaming service charges its customers a monthly or annual subscription fee to extend curated video content. This could be any video content including movies, web series, live sports, or anything else. Here are a couple of examples of SVOD platforms.

• Netflix

Netflix is the largest OTT platform with over 220 million paid subscribers. The platform not only has exclusive rights to popular movies and TV shows such as Money Heist and Fauda but it also features several critically acclaimed original masterpieces such as Beasts of No Nation, Icarus, and more.

• DAZN

Unlike linear sports TV channels, DAZN is a global OTT sports entertainment platform whose niche is in boxing and related content. The service is available across over 200 countries and also enables business enterprises (such as bars, restaurants, offices, etc.) to stream its content via its service DAZN for Business.

1. Advertising-based Video On Demand

Advertising-based video-on-demand services (aka AVOD platforms) empower people to view content with pre-roll, post-roll, and mid-roll advertisements. These platforms are like traditional TV channels with ads in between. However, unlike linear TVs, they give complete control to a user in terms of what they wish to watch. Some of the major examples of AVOD platforms are as follows.

• YouTube

YouTube doesn’t need a mention. The chances are even if you have your own OTT platform, you’d still be making an account on YouTube. It’s because of the sheer number of monthly active users that the platform has. It is known for its user-generated content that can be easily monetized and is now also dabbling into SVOD format with YouTube Premium.

1. Transactional Video On Demand

In this type of OTT platform, videos and video series can be bought or rented for a limited period or for a lifetime. The TVOD format builds on the concept of renting or buying CDs and DVDs and works well with movies, musical concerts, creative content, and even educational videos. Some of its examples include the following.

• Coursera

Using Coursera, anyone can access world-class universities and online certification courses and degrees from anywhere. The platform is known for the diversity of its self-paced training material and top-quality educational content that helps people excel in their respective fields.

• LiveOne

With a focus on music and live entertainment, LiveOne is known for live streaming of music concerts and festivals. Previously known as LiveXLive, the platform gained widespread adoption during the COVID-19 outbreak as people craved entertainment during lockdowns. On top of the music, LiveOne also extends sports and other entertainment content to its users.

1. Social Media Platforms

Social media platforms have also forayed into the world of online videos in a big way with features like Facebook Watch and Instagram Video (previously IGTV). These services let users upload long-form videos and even live stream events as they happen.

1. Hybrid Platforms

Hybrid OTT platforms are a mix of live streaming and on-demand content providers. They let users watch both recorded and live content according to their convenience. Sling TV is one such platform that offers both linear (live) channels and on-demand shows/movies side by side.

‍

Conclusion​

The times are changing. More people are joining the internet with every day that passes. Perhaps, it is giving you the perfect opportunity to create something big, something that has the potential to change the way people consume content. An OTT platform is your best bet to make it big.

Now that you know what are OTT platforms and how to create one, what’s stopping you from taking the plunge?

‍