YouTube live streaming service launches by Nov 22, 2008?

Eric Hill — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 15:59:29 -0400

Judgment on Dec. 1, 2008: This did not meet the spirit of the original prediction as it was understood at the time, and therefore is being judged as having not occurred. The community got it right. -- The Industry Standard

Original prediction: YouTube has been promoting its YouTube Live event since October 2, 2008. The event, scheduled for November 22, 2008, is to be a two-hour live streaming concert/variety show/party in front of a live audience in San Francisco, not to mention those tuning in online.

Is this event simply a celebratory pat on the back and some community stroking, or the launch of a more strategic live streaming service? Currently, all of YouTube’s content is delivered via recorded clips.

While the business model of such a venture is currently shaky at best for unpredictable community-based content to draw advertisers (see Yahoo Live!), YouTube sees the writing on the wall as competitor Hulu begins to stream live broadcast events. And, Hulu has an advertising model and framework in place via NBC/Fox. YouTube could theoretically stream sponsored events like live concerts to build a new revenue model and expand its brand.

Prediction: YouTube will announce the launch of a YouTube Live service that will provide streams of live content – as a continuing service or “channel” - on, or before, November 22, 2008. This needs to be an obvious announcement of a new business strategy, not simply a quiet "behind the scenes" offering of live streaming video on the random occassion.