Youtube tests Live Stream Broadcasts

YouTube has announced that it will be testing its new Live Broadcasting platform with its partners, that will enable people to start broadcasting events  via Youtube.

Starting at 8:00 a.m. PT, Youtube had begun a limited trial of a new live streaming platform in conjunction with partners: Howcast, Next New Networks, Rocketboom and Young Hollywood.

The system is easy to setup, all broadcasters need is a webcam or external USB/FireWire camera. Also, youtube is testing Live comments which lets you engage with the broadcaster and the broader YouTube community.

YouTube had already provided live-streaming with live matches from the Indian Premier league(IPL) and the White House, but this new platform attempts to simplify streaming “directly into YouTube channels.

Right now, the question is – Is it going to try to compete with the more niche live-streaming players such as Ustream. So far, it doesn’t seem likely, as the company’s release continually emphasized that it would be working with partners.  But we will have to wait to see.