Ustream, the live-streaming video service, announced this morning that it will begin allowing broadcasters to charge viewers to watch content on a pay-per-view model. In addition to pay-per-view, the site will begin offering ad-free broadcasting.
The move can mean great things for both broadcasters and viewers, as it offers a way to monetize streaming video while also bringing content to the site that might not otherwise be available.
According to Ustream, the feature will be rolling out in the next couple of weeks with broadcasters gaining the ability to monetize their content using PayPal. With the feature, “pay-per-view is democratized and broadcasters have a chance to attract some of Ustream’s 45 million monthly viewers,” the company writes on its blog.
Currently, the program is only open to a few select broadcasters, but will be accepting applications soon. Ad-free broadcasting will become available in early November.
What do you think – would you pay a small fee for a high-quality broadcast of a conference you couldn’t attend, but wanted to watch part of anyways? Might the feature attract higher-profile broadcasters that want a quick and simple way to monetize live video?
