By: Fatima Dabbah

The live streaming industry had a 5.7 percent growth in 2020 than in 2019 and the market is projected to grow from $473.38 billion in 2022 to $1,690.35 billion in 2029. 

Broadcasting used to be limited to specialized production businesses with expensive equipment. But this increase can be due to the fact that live streaming technologies have become more accessible and affordable while many were at home. Many social media apps like Instagram, Facebook, Twitch and TikTok allow for the convenience of being able to go live just through a smartphone.

One platform that has been heavily utilized for these live events is YouTube. Ali Rivera, Head of Live Music and West Coast Artist Relations for the company, says that within the past year there has been an increase in over half a million channels that have live streamed for the first time and live music performances on TV have doubled. 

But with large gatherings being permitted, many in person music performances are returning. Especially in educational settings like Elmhurst University which is located in Elmhurst IL. 

Within the last two years, the school's music performances have changed dramatically. Music performances are no longer the same as they were before. People could finally see these concerts in person as well as online. 

Morgan Bilancia, a music education student at Elmhurst, shares her opinion on this hybrid model.

 As a music major how has having access to livestreams helped you during lockdown and even now?

 “Having live streams during lockdown and now has helped me so much! About a month ago, I had my junior flute recital, and I was able to live stream that event so that my family members out of state were able to watch it which was super exciting. I had my band teacher who is actually at the University of Michigan getting her doctorate. She just got it recently. She was able to watch my performance as well and she even messaged me saying how grateful she was to be able to watch it, even though she couldn't be in person. So I'm very grateful that we're able to live stream these events.”

Watch more of the interview below.

Many may have thought that once in person events returned that the live streaming aspect would decline. But after almost two years of purely virtual events, people have created an engaging online community. Live streaming allows for people to be connected at the same time from wherever they are in the world. It also allows for more people to be involved in a certain event. There is no space capacity on the internet.

While social media platforms allow for more casual streams there are limitations to just using a smartphone. The demand of live streams has also led to many people needing to learn how to set up live streams in a more professional setting and with the use of more cameras.

This TikTok shows a quick behind the scenes of a simple live stream and some equipment needed. 

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One of the leading students at Elmhurst University in charge of contributing to these live streams is John Havrilla who provides some insight into what it takes. 

What would you say are the biggest challenges right now and is there something that you wish you could change with live streaming?

 “I don't know if I'd say there's something that needs to inherently be changed but I think it's definitely a very stressful thing in the sense that you know, with studio recordings or pre-made videos, you have the flexibility and you can just edit, you can cut something out, you can change something how you'd like. You have options. With live streaming, it's sort of like you get what you see. So sometimes, unfortunately, you don't have the control that you wish you have, and something can go wrong, and you have to just like that [snaps], you know, be on the fly, fix it. I think if I had a perfect world, it would be that nothing would go wrong in a live stream but that's never the case.” 

Overall, this shift in hybrid performances is only at the beginning. It is continuing to show how it is still useful even though the world is transitioning to pre-pandemic times. It is the new normal.