YouNow
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Type of site | Video chat, Webcasting |
---|---|
Available in | 15 languages |
URL | www |
Commercial | Yes |
Registration | Optional |
YouNow is a live broadcasting service where users stream their own live video content or interact with the video streams of other users in real time.[2] The service is available on its website, on Android and iOS apps.
As of August 2015 the service handles 150,000 broadcasts each day.[3]
The majority of the users of YouNow are under 24 years old.[4] Many users perform music or dance,[5] others talk or make jokes. There was some media attention in 2015 on a number of users who film themselves sleeping.[6] A tag-based topic system enables viewers to browse content of their choice, while trending streams enable users to locate more popular webcasters.
It competes with apps like Meerkat and Periscope[7] although others have compared it with sites like Chatroulette.[6]
YouNow was founded by Adi Sideman[4] in September 2011,[8] but significantly grew in popularity during 2014 and 2015[7] following significant changes to the service.[5] A round of funding in 2015 raised $15 million from venture capitalists, bringing the total invested to $30 million.[3]
YouNow bought live streaming company BlogTV.com in 2013,[9] user accounts being merged into YouNow.
MTV partnered with YouNow for the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards.[4] The Huffington Post has started streaming a live show on YouNow weekly since August 2015.[10]
In 2016, the Shorty Awards included for the first time a category "YouNower of the Year".[11]
America's Got Talent partnered with YouNow to hold auditions for Season 11 with the final auditions on YouNow held live in YouNow HQ on Times Square, on March 1, 2016.
YouNow Partner Program
YouNow has a partner program that allows popular broadcasters to earn money.[7] Virtual goods bought by viewers are used to acclaim videos; the resulting revenue is split between YouNow and the video creator,[5] with about 60% going to the latter.[11]
References
- ^ https://www.alexa.com/siteinfo/younow.com
- ^ Tynan, Dan (April 13, 2015). "Meet YouNow, the Live-Casting App that Teens Love and Parents Fear". Yahoo! Tech. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
- ^ a b "YouNow, A "Live" Social Network, Raises $15 Million in Fresh Funding". TechCrunch. 2015-10-05. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
- ^ a b c Maya Kosoff (2015-04-29). "Teens are going crazy for YouNow, a livestreaming app with 100 million monthly user sessions". Business Insider. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
- ^ a b c Peter Kafka (2014-10-29). "YouNow Is the Live Video Amateur Hour That Nearly Died. Now It's Booming. Here's How". recode.net. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
- ^ a b Amada Schupak (2015-04-14). "Is the YouNow live-stream app a parent's nightmare?". CBS News. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
- ^ a b c Natalie Jarvey (2015-10-13). "Live-Streaming Startup YouNow Taps Fullscreen Veteran (Exclusive)". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
- ^ Bonnie Cha (2013-02-12). "YouNow Gives Stage to Internet's Wannabe Stars, Leaves Judgment in Your Hands". All Things D. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
- ^ Peter Kafka (2013-03-14). "YouNow, Web Video's Live Amateur Hour, Bulks Up by Buying Blog TV". All Things D. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
- ^ Mike Shields (2015-08-18). "Huffington Post Teams Up With Live Streaming Service YouNow on Weekly Show". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 2016-01-27.
- ^ a b Kerry Flynn (2016-01-19). "Shorty Awards 2016 Nominees Brings Periscope, YouNow Stars Legitimacy In Media Industry". International Business Times. Retrieved 2016-01-27.