CMU School of Drama


Tuesday, February 07, 2023

Why Aren't More Shows on Broadway Being Live Streamed?

Playbill: A couple of weeks ago, Playbill published an article called “Why You Can’t Stream Broadway Shows,” explaining the many issues (upfront cost, unions, residuals, fear) that keep Broadway producers from filming their shows and making it available for viewers on demand. Our readers had A LOT of opinions on the topic. One of the recurring questions that came up was, “What about live streaming?”

3 comments:

John Alexander Farrell said...

From my perspective, live-streaming Broadway shows is a unique experience that offers both new opportunities and challenges. On one hand, it provides access to a wider audience, who may not have had the opportunity to see a live performance in person, and the ability to reach a global audience. On the other hand, it raises questions about the value of live theater and the importance of the in-person experience.

Despite the challenges, live streaming is allowing Broadway to continue providing entertainment and generating revenue during this difficult time. The technology involved in live streaming a performance is complex, requiring a combination of lighting, sound, and camera work to create a seamless and engaging viewing experience.

Overall, the rise of live-streaming Broadway shows is a reflection of the resilience of the theater industry and its ability to adapt to changing circumstances. While it may not be a perfect substitute for the live theater experience, it is a remarkable achievement that will allow the industry to continue thriving even in the face of adversity.

Hailey Garza said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Hailey Garza said...

The first recorded show I ever saw was the recording of Hamilton on Disney+. I had been doing theatre for 8 months, and it was the first professional show I had ever seen. Having access to viewing theatre like that changed my life. Now, if were to have been a live streamed show, I would have been even more in awe. I think it’s valid to have concerns about in-person attendance, and I know performers feed off of the audience’s reactions during a show. However, a theatre could only sell a certain number of live-streaming tickets to combat that. I’m really interested to see how live streaming will become a part of the theatre in the future. It's something I would be interested in working on. I think it will have great success in the future, especially for people on the west coast who can’t afford the trip to NYC.