What is live streaming? 

Live streaming is a real-time data transmission method enabling video content to be shared and viewed simultaneously without the need for prior recording or storage. 

Utilizing this process, a video file is transmitted bit by bit, facilitating immediate playback on client devices without having to download the entire video. There are many applications for this technology, including TV broadcasts, video game streams, sporting events and social media videos, all delivered live, as events unfold.

Regular Streaming vs Live Streaming: What is the Difference?

Regular streaming and live streaming are both methods of delivering video content over the internet, but they operate differently. 

Regular streaming involves delivering pre-recorded video content. The pre-recorded video file is stored on a server, and then transmitted bit by bit over the internet to the viewer's device, allowing it to start playing the video without needing to download the entire file first.

Live streaming is real-time transmission of video content. Instead of delivering a pre-recorded video, the content is broadcasted over the Internet as it is being recorded. This allows viewers to watch events as they happen in real time, making it an ideal choice for broadcasting live events such as sporting events, concerts, gaming sessions, and live broadcasts on social media. 

The primary difference lies in the timing: regular streaming is used for pre-recorded content, while live streaming is used for real-time, ongoing events.

How Does Live Streaming Work?

Every live stream is made possible by several processes:

1. Video Capture: Everything begins with video capture/recording the video content. This can happen in various ways, such as a camera for live events, screen capture for gaming streams, or even advanced devices for high-quality professional broadcasting. The video captured is in raw format, usually with high file size.

2. Encoding and Compression: This is the first step in the live streaming process. Here, the raw video footage is converted (encoded) into a digital format. This digital format is usually a compressed version of the original, as compressed files take up less bandwidth and are easier and faster to transmit.

3. Segmentation: After encoding and compression, the video stream is broken down into smaller parts or "segments". This process is crucial because it allows the video to be delivered bit-by-bit, enabling real-time playback while the rest of the video is being transmitted.

4. Content Delivery Network (CDN) Distribution and Caching: The segmented video files are distributed across a CDN, a network of servers located in strategic places worldwide. The CDN stores these segments temporarily, known as caching, to facilitate faster content delivery. By serving content from the closest server, latency is significantly reduced, providing a smoother streaming experience.

5. Video Playback: As the video segments are delivered to the user's device, they begin to play. Most streaming platforms have players that can start showing the video as soon as enough segments have been received, allowing for near-instantaneous playback.

6. Decoding: The final step in the process is decoding, which takes place on the user's device. This is essentially the reverse of the encoding step: the compressed digital file is converted back into a video format that can be displayed on the screen. This decoding happens simultaneously with playback, enabling the user to watch the live stream in real time.

The Role of a CDN in Live Streaming

Content Delivery Networks play an instrumental role in the live streaming process, primarily by enhancing the efficiency of video content delivery. CDNs store and deliver the segmented video files closer to the user, across a distributed network of servers around the world, to improve user experience by providing faster and more reliable streaming.

A CDN contributes to live streaming in the following ways:

1. Global Content Delivery: A CDN's globally distributed network of servers ensures that content is served from the location closest to each user. This localization drastically improves streaming speed and reliability, irrespective of the user's geographical location. When a live stream is initiated, the CDN replicates the content across its servers, strategically placing copies closer to the viewers' geographic locations. Also, geolocation (knowing the approximate location of an end user) allows for localization of content and regulation of access based on regional distribution rights.

2. Latency and RTT (Round-Trip Time) Reduction: By storing content on servers closest to the user, CDNs significantly reduce latency—the delay before a transfer of data begins. They also minimize the round-trip time (RTT), which is the time it takes for a data packet to travel from the source to the destination and back. This reduction results in quicker data delivery and a more seamless streaming experience.

3. Scale and Workload: CDNs are designed to handle large-scale live streaming events with potentially millions of concurrent viewers. CDNs efficiently manage the workload by distributing requests and content across multiple servers, reducing the burden on any single source. This distribution ensures that even in peak traffic times, servers don’t get overwhelmed and users experience uninterrupted streaming. Intelligent load balancing techniques distribute incoming viewer requests across their server network, ensuring no single server becomes overloaded, optimizing the performance and stability of the live stream.

4. Bandwidth: CDNs optimize bandwidth usage by evenly distributing the content to numerous users simultaneously. This capability allows for smoother video playback and handles high-traffic periods effectively, preventing server overload and video buffering.

5. Performance optimization and caching: The CDN stores ("caches") the video segments temporarily on its servers. This process allows for quicker content delivery as the segments can be served directly from the cache rather than repeatedly fetched from the original source. CDNs use various optimization techniques to enhance the delivery of live streams, including caching and compression. 

What Are the Benefits of Live Streaming?

Live streaming has numerous advantages that can significantly affect businesses outcomes:

1. Expanded Reach: Live streaming allows businesses to engage with a global audience. This is particularly beneficial for live events, which would otherwise be limited by physical constraints. With live streaming, companies can reach out to consumers around the world, exponentially expanding their reach.

2. Increased Engagement: Live streaming encourages real-time interaction, which can foster a higher level of audience engagement. This increased interaction can lead to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty.

3. Data Insights: Live streaming platforms often provide valuable data insights, such as viewer numbers, engagement rates, and viewer location. Businesses can leverage this data to understand their audience better, evaluate the effectiveness of their content, and strategize future efforts.

4. Monetization Opportunities: Live streaming can also present direct monetization opportunities. Businesses can offer paid live streams, premium content, or exclusive access to certain events. Furthermore, it can attract sponsorships and advertisements, contributing to additional revenue streams.

Potential Risks of Live Streaming

While live streaming brings a multitude of benefits, it also presents several potential risks that need to be carefully managed:

1. Technical Issues: Live streaming is dependent on technology and internet connectivity. Interruptions due to poor internet connection, hardware failure, or software glitches can disrupt the stream, potentially leading to a negative user experience.

2. Security Threats: Live streams can be targeted by cyber threats such as DDoS attacks. Unauthorized access or disruption of the stream can compromise the content and the data of the users involved.

3. Content Control: Once content is live streamed, it is out there in real time, without the ability to edit or revise. Any errors, inappropriate remarks, or unexpected events are immediately public, which can risk damaging the reputation of the organization. Plus, content can be recorded and redistributed illegally. 

4. Regulatory Compliance: There are legal and regulatory requirements related to privacy, copyright, and content regulation that need to be adhered to. Failure to comply can result in legal penalties and damage to brand reputation.

5. Difficult to Moderate: Live streams often involve user interaction, and this user-generated content is hard to control. Inappropriate comments or behavior from viewers can create a negative environment and affect the stream's overall quality.

Get started with a CDN

CDNs play a vital role in live streaming by enhancing content delivery efficiency, ensuring global reach, reducing latency, handling large-scale events, optimizing bandwidth, and enhancing performance. Live streaming offers businesses expanded reach, increased engagement, valuable data insights, and monetization opportunities. By leveraging CDNs effectively, businesses can deliver seamless and high-quality live streaming experiences to a global audience.

See here for a checklist on preparing for a live streaming event.

Learn how Atresmedia improved user experience, reduced costs, and maintained a reliable live streaming experience.