What’s the Average Cost of Streaming Video Online?
Broadcasting events is a major addition to everyday marketing initiatives for big brands these days. If you’re considering getting into streaming video online but you’re not sure what to expect or what the average cost of streaming video online is for a business like yours, we’re here to help. Professional broadcasting is a growing trend that you’ll very much want to get your business involved in, but budgeting is equally important. Let’s take a look at the average cost of streaming video online and some of the factors that contribute to the overall expense.
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Online Video Platform Pricing
Professionally live streaming your content to your audience requires an online video platform that is designed to host your video content for the world to see. On the lowest end of the spectrum, you have free live streaming options like Facebook Live, Instagram Live, and Twitter Live. Unfortunately, with each of these live streaming video options, you’re also stuck dealing with their individual rules and requirements regarding how the stream works, who can access, and how they access.
Paid video hosting provides you with professional-grade live streaming options that can be uniquely designed to work with your branding and for your individual audience providing you several advantages over free streaming options including the ability to stream without distracting ads or the potential for a competitor to showcase an advert during your stream — you won’t have these advantages if you host via free live stream broadcasting platform.
Additionally, the use of your own private platform for live streaming video online allows you to reach audience members in universities, schools, offices, and other major organizations that may have otherwise blocked out big websites like YouTube from operating on their network.
Pricing for online video platform access that you can embed onto your own website will vary based on your needs. Generally, the rates are dependent upon your subscription, whether you opt for a pay-as-you-go rate, and whether you include additional services in addition to the live streaming video broadcasting such as customizations and event hosting. Expect to pay between about $40 and $1,000 per month for your live streaming platform depending on the frequency and bandwidths that you require to live stream video content.
Additional Costs of Streaming Video Online
In addition to your live streaming video platform, you can anticipate several other costs associated with getting started with live streaming video for your audience.
Things like investing in appropriate camera equipment and audio equipment as well as lighting will definitely come into play here. If you’re purchasing camera equipment for your broadcasting, consider a camera that has significant resolution and bitrate for your live stream, appropriate outputs for HDMI, SDI, and pro-audio, and includes compatibility with encoding software. A nice live stream camera can run up to $5,000 or more depending on your needs, but mid-range cameras are available for about half of that.
Audio equipment and lighting are equally important. While you may purchase a camera with a built-in microphone, it is important to have additional microphone options for your setup to ensure great sound during your live video streaming. Consider the additional integration of a lapel mic and directional microphones in your filming area to ensure proper sound.
The added costs of equipment can quickly spike. Expect to spend somewhere around $1,000 or more on audio equipment in addition to your camera. You’ll also need an encoder to ensure your video is converted into a streaming format. This will generally range in price from nothing to about $1,000.
If all of these costs sound like more than you wish to bare for a single monthly live stream or a once-off live stream that you’re planning for your audience, consider hiring a professional camera crew to help you Livestream from your office. Beverly Boy Productions has Livestream video rates that are affordable and flexible for businesses of all sizes. Give us a call and we’ll help you figure out the average cost of streaming video online that is suitable for your brand.
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