Live Streaming vs. Video on Demand: What’s the Best Fit?
By: Liz Mounfield
Tags: Video On Demand, Live Streaming

Live Streaming and Video on Demand (VOD) offer different benefits to an organization, and both can be leveraged to ensure growth opportunities and engagement with your audience. The question is, which is the right fit for you?

What is Video on Demand?

VOD is the ability to click and play video content without the constraints of a broadcasting schedule and is distributed to viewers on internet-connected devices.

While examples of VOD platforms include Netflix, Disney +, and Hulu, it’s not a video service that is limited to these leaders in the media and entertainment industry. VOD is becoming more established as a platform to stream niche content by smaller broadcasters, including those in the health and fitness industry. Video-on-Demand content enables practitioners such as physiotherapists or personal trainers to provide additional benefits to face to face sessions.

For the health and fitness industry, motivation plays a crucial role in enabling individuals to reach their goals. There’s no better way to do this than face to face, but when this isn’t possible, due to COVID lockdown or in between sessions, then video content with exercises for strengthening and conditioning will maintain motivation and self-discipline for your audience.

What is Live Streaming?

Live streaming is the ability to record and broadcast real-time, live video to your audience over the internet.

Typically, live streaming is done via an internet-enabled device using third-party channels, which can include Facebook, YouTube, Twitch, or your own SVOD platform.

Live streaming provides a direct-to-audience link and should be considered a premium and unique experience for your audience. It works particularly well for audience participation, especially if holding fitness classes, broadcasting events, or sharing a personal and timely message to your viewers.

Benefits of Video on Demand

Content is available precisely when a user demands access to it, as often as they wish to access it and on the device of their choosing

Plays as high-quality video regardless of the audience’s internet speed

Content can be perfected and edited before being distributed

Drives consistent and reliable revenue through a subscription (SVOD) model

Benefits of Live Streaming

Target your content to viewers most likely to engage, on your schedule

Provide real-time engagement with viewers

It takes less time to produce, no editing requirements; a 10-minute live stream will take 10 minutes to make

In the battle for an engaged audience, both live streaming and Video on Demand have a part to play in your video content strategy, and both can bring tangible benefits to your brand. In terms of convenience and to ensure the longevity of your brand, we suggest utilizing the strengths of VOD to provide long-term assets to your audience and live streaming for that immediate hit of real-time engagement.

Considering the benefits of both technologies, many in the health and fitness industry decide to combine them both in their strategy for audience growth. No matter what your preference is, knowing your audience is a good start for future engagement, but the foundation for growth will always start with the exciting niche content you produce.