Live streaming meetings: a trip through time

The advent of online video changed everything for us. In fact, it made us possible.

Since 2000, we’ve been live streaming meetings. However, the origins can be traced back much further.

The origins of live streaming meetings

United States President Harry S. Truman gave an important speech in 1951. Delivered at the Japanese Peace Treaty Conference, it ended America’s post-World War II occupation of Japan.

The speech also marked the first time a television program was broadcast from coast to coast (87 stations in 47 cities). It used microwave technology – an innovation at the time.

Another forty-four years would pass before live streaming (as we know it) took off. However, things escalated quickly.

Buffering through time

1995

Progressive Networks facilitate the world’s first live streamed event. It was a broadcast of the Seattle Mariners vs. New York Yankees.

1998

NetFlix.com launches. The DVD format was only a year old at this point.

1999

Widespread video hits the internet with an AVI from USA’s Comedy Central.

2000

Public-i was formed to help local government stay transparent and accountable.

2002

We live streamed the Labour party conference with our event webcasting service.

2003

Camden Council became our first contracted client. The Council is still with us today, along with 85% of local authorities who use a webcasting provider.

2004

Public-i introduced a choice of streaming: Real or Windows.

2005

YouTube was launched to share videos.

2006

Public-i develop a mobile streaming solution.

2007

BBC launch iPlayer and Netflix introduce their video-on-demand service.

2008

Public-i hit over 2000 live streams.

2009

We integrated Connect webcasting services with the Modern.Gov committee management solution.

CMIS integration would follow.

2011

We integrated popular social media feeds into Connect to help clients reach more people.

2012

The Local Audit and Accountability Act is amended, allowing the public to film and report on council meetings.

Police and Crime Commissioners are elected. Sussex PCC begin streaming their Performance and Accountability meetings soon after.

2013

We make things easier. AV integration, tablet control, automated slides and auto-archiving become core features of Connect.

Public-i develop dual-language webcasting. Carmarthenshire County Council are the first Council to webcast meetings in Welsh and English.

2014

Public-i develop Connect Anywhere, Xpress and Pay-as-you-go. The aim was to make live streaming meetings mobile and affordable.

2015 

Twitter’s Periscope live streaming app is born.

2016

Public-i moves over to a HTML5 player – removing the need for Flash plugins for most viewers.

Facebook’s live streaming facility becomes Facebook Live. Chewbacca Mom breaks streaming records.

2017

Agile development continues. We integrate with Facebook Live, create a solution for boardroom meetings and find an easier way to manage meetings.

Want to speak to a member of our team about live streaming? Fancy shaping future development? Get in touch.