siemons wrote:
I really hope they are not broadcasting exclusively on Facebook live. Don’t understand the switch to Facebook live either. This way they are restricting viewing to a single platform and not everyone has a Facebook account. I don’t have an account and don’t want one either. IM used to broadcast via Livestream.com which, in my opinion, worked really well. The stream was available to everyone and you could watch it in a browser or via the app. Last year Redbull.tv also worked really well, available to all and also in a browser or app. No need for a personal account.
I think one of the big reasons why they moved away from Livestream is the inability to interact with the viewers as they do on Facebook. I know FB is not the only platform to do this, but I'm guessing they researched this a bit and their audience uses FB most to interact thus they went that way. Since you don't have FB, they encourage a lot of dialogue and questions through the commentary box on FB and if you are viewing on FB you can see who else of your friends is watching to further add to the depth of the communication on FB.
Plus the biggest change IMO that many overlook is that on FB they can get to the masses that are currently not doing IM, or triathlons in general and market to them. If I watched the live broadcast FB will advertise what I am watching to my friends that are not and that might pull them in. You cannot do this with livestream.
Yes I would agree though that going to a single platform for broadcasting is a bit limiting, but lets turn the question around. Would be going to multiple live platforms serve better than using a single platform that heightens the ability for potential new athletes to view the event?