Unveiling the Digital Oasis: Burning Man with Studio

Livepeer Admin

• 3 min read
Unveiling the Digital Oasis: Burning Man with Studio
Burning Man 35 Year Logo

Burning Man is a unique cultural phenomenon that takes place annually in the Nevada desert. Known for its radical self-expression, art installations, and community ethos, Burning Man has always sought to enhance the experience for remote participants. In 2024, Burning Man partnered with Livepeer to elevate the event's digital presence by broadcasting live performances and interactive sessions to a global audience. This case study explores the impact of this collaboration, highlighting key outcomes and lessons learned.

The primary objectives of this case study are:

  • Analyze how Livepeer's Studio product was used to broadcast live performances and interactive sessions from Burning Man.
  • Evaluate the impact of using Studio on the remote participant experience, including engagement and satisfaction levels.
  • Understand the technical challenges faced and the solutions implemented to ensure a seamless live-streaming experience.
  • Assess the cost and resource efficiency of using Livepeer for a large-scale, multi-day event like Burning Man.

Solution

Studio's API-first video streaming solution was implemented to deliver high-quality, real-time video streams. This included:

  • Utilizing on-site security cameras for live feeds.
  • Integrating the streaming setup with minimal training, leveraging OBS (Open Broadcaster Software).
  • Monitoring and analyzing performance metrics such as:
    • Concurrent Users (CCU)
    • Daily Active Users (DAU)
    • Engagement time
    • Session length
    • Geographic reach
    • Audio engagement (mute state).

Results & Metrics

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Metrics

  • Concurrent Users (CCU) and Daily Active Users (DAU): Ongoing telemetry collection from Studio and site analytics.
  • Engagement Time & Session Length: Observed how long users watched the stream and their interaction patterns.
  • Geographic Reach: Tracked international viewers and understood regional engagement.
  • Audio Engagement: Measured whether viewers listened to the audio or watched in a mute state.

Noteworthy Results and Achievements

  • For the first time, direct donations supported the 2024 webcast, indicating a high level of trust and engagement from the audience.
  • Compared to discounted costs quoted by Vimeo and Dolby.io, Livepeer Studio offered approximately 50% cost savings.
  • The low-latency, high-quality video stream received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the remote participant community.

Impact and Benefits

  • Quantitative
    • Significant cost savings compared to other video streaming providers.
    • Increased revenue through direct donations from remote participants.
  • Qualitative
    • Enhanced user experience with high-quality, low-latency video streams.
    • Strengthened community engagement and remote participation.
    • Competitive advantage by leveraging advanced video streaming technology.
"The low-latency, high-quality video stream was a SMASH HIT with the active community of remote participants."

Future Plans

Upcoming Projects and Expansions

  • Streaming future events using Livepeer.
  • Exploring orchestration and delegation features for enhanced participation.
  • Enabling interactive features through APIs (e.g., chat, multiple audio channels).
  • Potential GenAI enhancements by approved third parties.

Conclusion

The collaboration between Burning Man and Livepeer represents a significant step forward in leveraging technology to enhance cultural experiences. By providing high-quality, real-time video streams at a fraction of the cost of traditional providers, Livepeer has empowered Burning Man to extend its reach and impact. The positive feedback and high community engagement underscore this partnership's value, paving the way for future innovations and continued success.

By partnering with Livepeer, Burning Man has unveiled a digital oasis that brings its community-driven principles to a global audience, setting a new standard for remote participation and engagement.

Interested in elevating your event's digital presence? Contact Livepeer today to explore how our innovative, affordable, high-quality, real-time streaming solutions can transform your next event.