Livestreaming in Kenya was relatively unknown a few years ago Kenya. At the turn of 2018, few well-established media houses, tech bloggers, and a handful of churches or houses of worship were experimenting with the technology.
Livestreaming as an art and science of delivering flawless live events to viewers across the world is a new reality; it brings people together in the safety of their homes. There was a surge of user interest when the Coronavirus pandemic struck the world in late 2019 and early 2020 forcing millions to look for alternative means of accessing and sharing information as most governments implored their citizens to work from home and remain indoors in a bid to stem the rising cases of Covid-19 through the imposition of curfew and lockdown orders. In Kenya, Theatres, Clubs, Pubs, concert halls, and entertainment joints have been dark for months, owing to the Public Health Order act that banned personal gatherings of any kind but the hunger for shared cultural experience is stronger than ever. Live streaming has stepped in to fill the void with quarantine concerts, socially distanced dance parties, and all kinds of unforeseen ways to bring people together in the safety of their own homes. All of that has meant that “at-home production” has, in many cases, literally become at-home production, creating both new opportunities and challenges for the people tasked with delivering flawless live events to viewers across the world. The rise in popularity of Livestreaming as an alternative has seen individuals and companies set up in a bid to match the high demand for services that range from covering Church services, Wedding ceremonies, burial rites, virtual concerts, etc. This demand has led big tech firms led by Giants Google through their YouTube platform, and Facebook trip over themselves trying to tweak their User Experience in their networks to accommodate the surge in user numbers in a bid to improve the live experience. Technology companies like Sony, Blackmagic Design, and many others have also realized the gravy train occasioned by the pandemic and are now producing cost-effective live streaming hardware and tools targeting entry-level live streamers. All these factors have significantly lowered the costs for live streaming but also upscaling the quality of production. It is no surprise that a locally produced concert live-streamed on social media could give a music show on convectional TV a run for their money both in terms of quality, creativity, and engagements! Closer home, Churches have realized the powerful impact of live streaming their services online and the immense potential it has in creating connections with their faithful Civic institution like Town halls, County Assemblies, and Governments have also tapped into Livestreaming to touch base with their electorates and constituents with the County Government of Nakuru leading the pack by live streaming their State of The County Address via Social Media. At a more social/personal level, many people are looking at live streaming as a cost-cutting measure during social events like Weddings. Instead of having 1000 invitees to your wedding, you just invite 100 of your closest friends and families and send out a link to the rest to watch live at their convenience. What is the future for Livestreams in the Post Covid era? The continued increase in its popularity across multiple platforms will mark a significant shift in consumer habits. Brands and influencers are already jumping on the bandwagon to offer new experiences to customers and followers who find themselves stationed at home. And interestingly, live streams can serve as a window into the cultural and social demographics that make up each platform and thereby provide brands with important insights as to their marketing outreaches. Patrick K. Prince CEO, Nakuru TVThe writer is a journalist working with Nakuru TV a premiere Online TV station that leverages on Internet Applications for Online Advertising through Video production and Livestreaming services . Chack out Nakuru TV on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and on www.nakuru.tv
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