The Growing Role of Streaming in Modern Entertainment
Streaming has become one of the most significant digital changes of the 21st century.
For those of you who are not familiar with the basis of streaming, it means the ability to play or watch videos, music, and even games without the need of downloading them. This is only possible due to the development of internet connections and devices and it’s an activity that has taken over globally at the moment in the digital landscape.
Lets explore how the use of streaming has changed the entertainment industry and its consumption habits in different sectors from audiovisual content to music and even online gaming.
Film, TV and Live Events
Video streaming was first adopted through applications like YouTube or Metavideo in the first decade of the 2000s. Then appeared the most known platforms of our days such as Netflix and Prime Video that allow us to watch series, documentaries and movies.
What was initially a simple content provided on demand has grown into a complete digital experience which now offers original series, live events and even the ability to play mobile games. At the moment, smaller companies like Filmin or Star+ are still expanding the market, which shows that people are willing to pay for the selection and quality of the content they are able to choose to watch.
Music and Podcasts
Music streaming is another area where digital platforms have changed the way of consuming music. Nowadays you can download or stream millions of songs on services like Spotify and Apple Music and play them for free (alongside ads) or as a paid subscriber. Moreover, the popularity of video podcasts has also risen, something that has come to replace in a way the ancient radio programs. For instance, in cities like Barcelona, the production of podcasts has been on the rise, and many independent creators have been able to build a community around their shows, just like radio broadcasters were able to do in the 1990s.
Gaming and Online Casinos
Streaming has also impacted the gaming industry in a big way. Online casinos have also integrated live streaming in order to enhance the experience of the player. Some games including live roulette and blackjack allow the user to interact with real dealers in real time. This level of interaction has helped online casinos to expand their client base while making the move from the land-based casinos to the digital world.
Changes in Consumer Behavior
The shift to streaming has changed the behavior of consumers. People today expect to be able to watch content at any given time and on different devices, including smartphones, tablets or smart TVs.
The use of physical media like DVDs and CDs has been replaced by digital libraries and the subscription models have become the mainstream for consuming content. In the same way, microtransactions and digital purchases are now available in games and online casinos, where users can make in-game purchases or play for real money at their leisure.
Streamers and Online Marketing
The streaming industry has also created new job opportunities for content creators and influencers. The rise of live streaming platforms such as Twitch and YouTube have allowed individuals to find a way to make money from their activity by providing different forms of entertainment to global audiences.
One of the best examples to illustrate this case are online casinos who have incorporated their products into the broadcast of streamers in different ways. Some of the platforms have developed partnerships with the content creators to promote games, offers, and bonuses. A very popular type of promotion is the no deposit bonus, which allows new players to play casino games for free without needing to deposit any money. This approach is advantageous to the casino and the streamer: the platform is likely to be visited by the audience, while the streamer gets the revenue from affiliate programs, sponsored content, or revenue sharing models.
To the streamers, these type of collaborations are a great source of income, and at the same time, they get to have fun while working. This has, therefore, shown how much influence streaming has in the current world as gaming can be made to be a money making venture.
Streaming has changed the way of consuming and accessing entertainment in a way that cannot be unnoticed. Whether it is on-demand movies and TV shows, music, or even live gaming, the interaction with the content is not the same.
It is therefore clear that technology is advancing and streaming will continue to shape the future of entertainment and generate business, content and much value to consumers around the planet.
