Fan streaming video site a good idea?

[Sprocket]

This came up in the following thread http://www.motorsportforums.com/wrc/...here-hell.html

The concept (as I imagine it) would be a website where fans on the ground would stream video directly to the web from rallies for fans to view.

I would be really interested on thoughts on this. Both from those who might watch and those currently filming/photographing at rallies.

I can't quite get the concept out of my head and though I don't think I'm in a position to actually do anything about it would be good to get a wide range of ideas and thoughts on the concept.


I'm imagining a website where for example the fan on the stage ready to film would log on. Stage position could be recorded via hand held GPS or by clicking on a graphic of the stage on the website. They would then stream to the site directly for viewing. The footage would though remain as a record of the rally. Those that cannot stream direct could add video footage or photographs later to the correct point in the stage. In all it would end up as a superb record of each rally for the fans.

Fans might have a graphic of the stage showing where live stream was available whilst the stage was live and could point and click to follow live footage. After the stage was complete the footage and any extra media added would also remain for viewing later.

Another good concept would be to follow a driver through a stage, this would need some way to synch the footage being streamed to the car position - as I understand it the WRC cars now carry GPS locators - so that could be useful to achieve this.

As I said this really isn't a test of the water as I have no commercial interest in actually doing such a website. I'm just really interested in the concept. Perhaps a good discussion on the topic might just mean someone will pick it up and run with it and we all get the footage we would really like.

As I understand it, true streaming like this would require a special server so it would not be a trivial undertaking. So that also brings up how should it be funded, advertising or would people be willing to pay subscriptions to view etc? Should those submitting footage be paid etc. How would such a site stand with rights to show fan generated footage on the web?

I'm a bit naive about the technology, but it seems it could be done. But is it something that should be done?

So good or bad idea?

Pay of free for fans?

Is it possible to live stream video out of a cold forest directly to the web?

Would those currently filming seriously consider the expense/hassle of setting up to livestream?

As fans would we we all want such a site and use it?

and any other thoughts, suggestions!

[andyone]

a very good idea.. we did that on our local rally here in Tanzania.. but we used Hangout on the Google plus and it is a good idea for funs for those who are there they just do a live stream for us...

Attachment 3112

that is the photo of the stream

with the invention of google Glasses its possible. the stream on the photo i just used my normal phone camre using an android Google nexus.. we can start from there. but only 10 perticipants per hangout.

[Mark]

The WRC rights owners would shut it down before you can blink.

[Zico]

The WRC rights owners would shut it down before you can blink.

Yes, but what if it was streamed from China or similar?


To the OP- One of the problems you might encounter in some remote events is the 3G-4G network coverage required for streaming.

[Sprocket]

The WRC rights owners would shut it down before you can blink.

This is one reason why in the original thread I switched the onus of providing the streaming to the rights owners. Frankly they should not be overlooking the concept themselves in terms of promotion. (so lets keep this thread going and hope they take some notice!)

Is it the case though that they could shut it down?

I can understand a copied scheduled program put on Youtube being pulled, but has anyone ever had a problem with a video they took themselves?

Is there actually an issue with showing film one takes oneself on the web at an event? The website would only be acting as an agent to organize the footage in a convenient way for fans to view. In itself, it is not generating the footage, so is no different from a thread on a forum where people post their own video or pictures which we already have. The only difference would be the raw footage streaming live. As I see it the copyright to the media belongs to the person submitting it. (though I could be totally wrong, it could be very country specific and it might take a legal expert to give a complete answer!)

I also like the idea that the server could be based in a 'safe' country. There could also be the option of negotiating rights, for example if a local TV company had the power stage, it could be agreed not to stream any footage from it on the website. (I noticed SVT did not stream the PS for Sweden, perhaps logistical, perhaps a rights issue).

Rally Radio is massively successful. This live website could be seen as a fan based way to add video to the mix. I think it would be best done in the open under the wing of the promoters with full communication, if it is a case they are not prepared to actually fund and provide the service themselves.

Regarding the tech points raised, I'm not ignoring them, I'll need to do some reading up!

[SubaruNorway]

The teams can't even post their own 5sec iPhone video's on Facebook this year without Sportsman wanting money... So doubt anything like that would last very long before you were threatened with a lawsuit.

[Sprocket]

The teams can't even post their own 5sec iPhone video's on Facebook this year without Sportsman wanting money... So doubt anything like that would last very long before you were threatened with a lawsuit.

The teams though are under contract to the promoters? They have therefore signed away any rights they may have had?

A fan taking a video on a stage is not in the same position. Surely they have the rights to their own footage?

PS obviously I do recognise this is a big issue - if it is a case that a rights issue does exist, no doubt it would be a dead duck from the start!

I have though pictures from past WRC rounds, if I post one on this thread I see no problem, it is my picture. As far as the promoters are concerned it is free advertising of the sponsors/team/drivers? A few years back we were at Germany, by chance we were sat right in the remote service park for the historics. I was subjected to the best half an hour of rally pornography imaginable as we were surrounded by Quattros, Stratos etc etc. I took film on my phone. Imagine if that could have been live streamed it was brilliant. Sadly I lost the footage, which is one good plus for the website concept, as it could also act as a storage space for fan footage which they would retain the rights to.

[rallyfiend]

The teams though are under contract to the promoters? They have therefore signed away any rights they may have had?

A fan taking a video on a stage is not in the same position. Surely they have the rights to their own footage?

PS obviously I do recognise this is a big issue - if it is a case that a rights issue does exist, no doubt it would be a dead duck from the start!

I have though pictures from past WRC rounds, if I post one on this thread I see no problem, it is my picture. As far as the promoters are concerned it is free advertising of the sponsors/team/drivers? A few years back we were at Germany, by chance we were sat right in the remote service park for the historics. I was subjected to the best half an hour of rally pornography imaginable as we were surrounded by Quattros, Stratos etc etc. I took film on my phone. Imagine if that could have been live streamed it was brilliant. Sadly I lost the footage, which is one good plus for the website concept, as it could also act as a storage space for fan footage which they would retain the rights to.

It would most certainly be a substantial rights issues. Particularly as soon as you in any way commercialise it (such as selling advertising on the website).

There's a difference between taking your own pictures / vision for your own use / enjoyment, and selling or distributing that. That's when lawyers get involved. They have contracts with broadcasters they would need to protect.

[Sprocket]

It would most certainly be a substantial rights issues. Particularly as soon as you in any way commercialise it (such as selling advertising on the website).

There's a difference between taking your own pictures / vision for your own use / enjoyment, and selling or distributing that. That's when lawyers get involved. They have contracts with broadcasters they would need to protect.

That's interesting, so if it remained a non-commercial venture it would perhaps be legal. I've done a bit of looking around and have found cases where for example fans took video at concerts which was later removed from the web. so clearly this could run to individuals, then again I think this is specified when one buys the tickets. I have never seen this for a rally event.
I'll mention again i'm in no way thinking of doing this myself.

Just to make it clear I have been behind a couple of 'concept' web ventures in the past which have met with moderate success.

They involved:

1) A lot of my unpaid time

2) Substantial amounts of my own cash

3) Only partial offsets of costs through advertising, certainly no profit was ever made

I'm not about to do it it again, and am not in a position right now to finance a project of this scope.

I just really want to explore the concept as it just seems too good an idea not to! At best my own personal involvement right now might run to streaming a live local clubman event on the agreement of the organisers, to their website or something like that.

It is far more interesting though to think about a large event covered widely with fan footage!

[Mark]

100% not legal.

When you attend an event it will state on your ticket that any photo and videos are for your own use only and not for commercial use. The fact that no money changes hands is not relevant here. The only money that would be changing hands is money out of your bank account on legal costs.

It's a non starter. Sorry.