Stickam, a live video streaming service that competes with the likes of Justin.tv and Ustream.tv, is releasing a new API that effectively allows anyone to build their own streaming video startup with a minimal amount of effort. The service is normally pay-as-you-go, but the first 100 users to sign up will be able to try it out for free.
StickamAPI allows developers to leverage Stickam’s infrastructure – which handles handles everything from actually hosting videos to bandwidth and streaming – to integrate video streaming into their own sites. While most video services have allowed users to create their own ‘channels’ (typically videos associated with a group or theme) and embed their videos wherever they’d like, the Stickam API allows for much deeper integration of live video streaming.
CEO Steven Fruchter says that live video can be incredibly engaging – Stickam’s site is reporting an average 18 minute staytime for new users to the site, and 70 minutes for those that are logged in. He expects that the new API will appeal to businesses and social networking sites looking to increase their engagement without having to pay and wait to develop their own live video platforms.
It’s a smart move from Stickam, which is likely trying to find a way to differentiate itself from Justin.tv, which continues to lead in this space. Many sites with established communities (like forums or niche social networks) would probably love to offer a tightly integrated video service. That said, live video is very expensive (YouTube has apparently canned its own plans because of bandwidth costs), so the success of StickamAPI will likely come down to its rates and how effectively the live video streams can be monetized.
And the link to sign up for the first 100 users would be…. ?
Al least we have 1 more choice now.
Thanks Stickam.
where on the site can u find the info for the API?
I assume they are building this for porn sites considering they are owned by a porn company.
Link please.
I found this; http://labs.stickam.com/
don’t know if that is it.
WOW. Stickam’s site is GARBAGE.
Who would want to build anything based on their poor platform.
http://www.kpmedia.com
Great article…..Are we the wrong “audience” for Stickam, where’s the link Jason?
Tried it. Horrible technology and stream crashing. Heard about Stickam’s porn money – I’m staying away. Don’t want to be a part of porn!
Note the “Serendipitous Chat” example API link at Stickam labs. It is actually using Ustream data API.
Any idea what those rates will be? One would need to know this before committing to a platform, no?
@Csabi if this is true – Stickam major FAIL.
Fail: you can see it with your own eyes. Just go to http://labs.stickam.com/ and click the “Serendipitous Chat” example link. That example site already migrated to another provider, it seems Stickam did not notice or forgot to update its labs section.
It has nothing to do with their new API, just a funny thing to see
The link for the Stickam Live API is http://developer.stickam.com .
WOW. Where is Stickam’s site?
This is the first live streaming site to release an API, so it’s very cool
How would i use the api i don’t get it please reply step by step