Imagine being the owner, executive producer, director, actor and
programmer for your own live TV station. Stop imagining. No, the FCC
didn’t offer you a free license to operate neither did Rupert Murdoch
just toss you the keys to one of his TV channels. You are now streaming
your video content live on one of the available channels on such web
services as LiveStream, Ustream, Stickam and Justin.tv
to the entire world. Not much capital investment needed (3G phone or
webcam) and no license to operate required. Live video casting is not
new to the internet but what’s new is that 3G technology expands the
boundaries to provide and view content anywhere anytime.

This isn’t blogging – this is live which is quite a different social
dynamic. For example, you’re a talented musician and want to get your
material recognized. By advertising a free live concert with the
service provider, you perform and people can see your raw talent
knowing there has been no editing to fudge the performance. Not
everyone is plugged in to a broadband connection because they’re at the
local pub but 3G puts the performance in your hand. Of a more corporate
nature, a CEO wants to address all his employees with the latest
company news. Some of his employees are at their desks and others are
on the road with their 3G handsets. An announcement is sent out that
the boss wants to address the entire company and you can tune into www.livevideocast/XYZcorp
at 1PM and he’ll also field the IM questions you may have. Or perhaps
there’s that once in a life time event – your 5 year old daughter is
performing her first ballet recital and you have family that can’t be
there because they live all over. Imagine the joy your daughter will
have when she knows grandma, grandpa, aunty May, uncle Buck and all the
cousins are watching her live. People can host their own cooking shows,
sitcoms, provide coverage for their son’s little league final (CBS
didn’t want to pick up the rights) or offer a home improvement show
with advertising for carpenter services. With 3G, you can view or
stream live from anywhere. All these scenarios have recording options
as well.

For a provider of live video casts, the opportunities for some sweet
moolah are as limitless as the imagination. There’s the advertising,
airtime, recording fees, etc. How people watch video has change
considerably in the last few years. How they watch live video is about
to change thanks to live video casting value added services and 3G.