multistreaming

Multistreaming, also known as simulcasting or restreaming, is the practice of broadcasting a single live video stream to more than one platform or channel at the same time. Creators use multistreaming to reach different communities on services such as video platforms and social networks without producing separate streams.

Technically, multistreaming is usually achieved with a broadcasting program that supports multiple destinations or via a dedicated restreaming service. The encoder sends one primary ingest (RTMP) to a central server, which forwards the stream to several destinations. Some platforms offer native multistreaming options, while others rely on third-party services. Latency may vary between destinations, and using a restreamer can add processing delay and require more upload bandwidth.

Platform policies vary. Some platforms permit multistreaming and do not restrict cross-posting, while others have terms that affect exclusivity, monetization, or content rights. Creators should review the terms of each service and assess how multistreaming interacts with sponsorships, ads, and revenue sharing.

Benefits include wider reach, audience growth, and the ability to engage multiple communities in parallel. Drawbacks include divided chat attention, potential engagement fragmentation, increased moderation complexity, higher bandwidth and processing requirements, and potential risks around rights or platform policy compliance.