Likelihood of live video from future Apple events?

[broncopde]

I watched CNBC on TV yesterday throughout Apple's news conference yesterday (while also covering gdgt's coverage online), and they showed video of Jobs introduction at the press conference just about 5-10 minutes after it happened.

At one point the reporter they had right outside the conference explained that they weren't aloud to have live video cameras inside (as we know), but they had videographers inside who took video, ran it out to the truck, and then they could show what they had shot.

This is definitely the first time I have seen this type of coverage happening at a Apple event, and it got me thinking: how long do you think it will be until we will be able Apple will allow us to see live video streams (either TV or on the internet) of Apple events?

My guess is that it will be 3-4 more years. It seems to me it has to happen at some point, but for whatever reason it seems like Apple is not crazy about making it happen.

What do you guys think?


P.S. Watching E3 live on Spike TV a few weeks ago also lead to some of my thinking here.

 

[miles01110]

This is definitely the first time I have seen this type of coverage happening at a Apple event, and it got me thinking: how long do you think it will be until we will be able to see live video streams (either TV or on the internet) of Apple events?

You'd be able to now, if Apple wanted you to. It's not a technology issue at all.

 

[broncopde]

You'd be able to now, if Apple wanted you to. It's not a technology issue at all.

Oh, yes, of course. It's not a technology issue. I suppose my question boils down to when will Apple allow it. I'm sure as soon as Apple does allow it, it will happen.

 

[miles01110]

I suppose my question boils down to when will Apple allow it.

Nobody knows.

I'm sure as soon as Apple does allow it, it will happen.

Obvious statement is obvious?

 

[Hellhammer]

Oh, yes, of course. It's not a technology issue. I suppose my question boils down to when will Apple allow it. I'm sure as soon as Apple does allow it, it will happen.

Will Apple allow it? That's the question, not when.

 

[broncopde]

Nobody knows.

Certainly not. I'm just wondering about people's conjectures.

Obvious statement is obvious?

I'm just saying that if it was allowed, it appears that at least CNBC would be all over it. The bottleneck is Apple not allowing it, not TV not wanting to show it. So as soon as Apple allows it, if they ever do, it will happen.

Will Apple allow it? That's the question, not when.

Yes. And if they will then when?

 

[jaw04005]

What do you guys think?

I think you haven't been around very long.

Apple used to stream their events live on their Web site, but stopped due to high demand. The last few live streams became almost unbearable to watch due to the amount of traffic. They quit doing this around the launch of 10.3 Panther (give or take).

They also used to simulcast their events in their stores via satellite (the transponder numbers would leak out a few days before the event so anyone with C-band satellite equipment could watch since it was unencrypted).

Also, some TV networks like the now defunct TechTV used to carry a satellite feed of the event live.

However, now they've moved away from all of that. Likely because of the costs associated with streaming, broadcasting and media rebroadcast rights (music and video used during the keynote, artist performances, etc) and the potential for error (look at the recent WWDC event where they had Wi-fi issues).

They want to control their message.

It's really an unnecessary risk. I have a feeling they originally did it to promote evangelism in their stores and QuickTime live streaming. Neither are all that important to their bottom line anymore.

Apple events are also PR gold mines since every major news outlet (mainstream and blogging) covers the event anyway without video. The "Apple press" generates more excitement and publicity than Apple ever could on its own.