Hello everyone. Everyone posting on this forum is likely aware of how the centralized, proprietary, and unethically monetized entities dominate most of the streaming landscape. From deep-pocketed monoliths like YouTube and Twitch, to a whole host of smaller also-rans, to a new generation of sites predicated on vested interest in cryptocurrencies/assets, its a disappointing landscape. Thankfully, PeerTube is appealing from both technical and philosophical perspectives, offering a better alternative.
The progress PeerTube is making and the growth of the open (source, spec, protocols etc) « Fediverse » is inspiring; showcasing an alternative to more pernicious social media platforms is important. Recent events have illustrated a great need in the community and one to which PeerTube could, with development, be the best solution - Live streaming.
Some time ago I remember reading that there was interest in live streaming, but to date support is not yet implemented. Thus, I wanted to check in on the status thereof and inquire as to what steps will be necessary to bring Live Streaming (as well as related, ancillary features) support to PeerTube. Is it something that with sufficient interest and resources for development could be added, or are there some prerequisites / maturing of the platform that must come first?
For a variety of reasons ranging from spurious DMCA and uneven content policies, to frustration with algorithmic appraisal of content, to monetization and viewing practices that offer disproportionate benefit to those at the top of the pyramid and more, users are becoming increasingly frustrated with existing platforms such as YouTube and Twitch. Opining the lack of suitable alternatives, they usually find themselves looking at many of the aforementioned also-rans or crypt-dependent sites, disappointed yet feeling boxed in. This mirrors the experience that has brought many to Fediverse alternatives from other types of sites (ie favoring Mastodon and Matrix over Twitter and Discord), but as it stands at the moment there is no alternative capable of live streaming.
Between the aforementioned issues, political/cultural shifts online, and the growing disappointment with existing big-name social media, users are seemingly more motivated than ever to switch away from incumbent services. The concern that this momentum will be wasted if there is no open/fediverse alternative when it comes to streaming, users settling along a number of sites with less desirable attributes, staying put with the « devil they know » megalithic services, or other paths of lesser benefit. Thus, I was wondering if it would be feasible for PeerTube to implement the features required to be a suitable alternative in the live streaming world in time to take advantage of the momentum building. If so and the issue is of development resources, interest in the platform etc… then perhaps interested parties could be leveraged to assist. In any event, checking in on the potential for PeerTube to add live-streaming (and related functionality such as stream chat) may allow us to see a way for PeerTube and the « Fediverse » to benefit from a groundswell of dissatisfaction with the industry’ status quo. Thank you.