What happened to all the live video streams from storm spotters?

[Ben Holcomb]

You will never see a stream from me again unless hell freezes over for all the same reasons Dan outlined above. I've been heavily involved in 3 streaming companies (Helped found SevereStudios in 2008 and offer streaming, helped out with CTV in 2009, worked for WDT 2010-2013) and after the 2013 season I really thought "what are you doing?". It was doing nothing for me, that's for sure. Even when I had a thousand plus viewers.

Viewers were ungrateful and would second guess and email/tweet/text you to let you know what you were doing wrong. I liken it to being able to get into Bill Belichek's headset during a game and telling him what play to call.

 

[Derek S Baker]

It is most unfortunate that nearly all of you have found Live Streaming to be both frustrating and a financial burden. I can only speak for myself and say that I would miss following Live Streams on chase days if everyone were to abandon the idea. For a variety of reasons (including scheduling, finances, health..) I've rarely been able to travel down to travel down to Tornado Alley & Dixie Alley to feed my 4-decade-long fascination with severe weather. Consequently I have been enjoying following the live streams to get a feel for what it's all about, get a sense of chase strategies, and of course view some incredible footage as it happens. It definitely has been helpful addition to my efforts to climb the learning curve. Of course, I also have a number of memorable moments, thanks to the live streams, such as watching Andy G's chase of the Philadelphia, MS EF-5 & plus the Tuscaloosa EF-4 on the big Super-Outbreak of April 27, 2011, the incredible footage of the May 18 Rozel, May 19 Shawnee, May20 Newcastle-Moore tornadoes in 2013, and many many many more over the last 4 or 5 years!

And, I can assure you that I have never taken anyone's efforts for granted, and I have a hunch that there are many like me who very much appreciate the live streaming that has been provided those who can't join in on the fun (yet!)

Sadly, I don't have any solutions for the problems you folks have identified, but did want to let you know that not everyone out there is taking your efforts for granted.

 

[skwidaker]

Are there any fields of work which involve a publically-consumed service or product that is completely exempt from having its critics, trolls, armchair coaches, and self-proclaimed experts? Are any such fields completely exempt from receiving hate mail along with their fan mail? Press on despite your critics, or else you will only ever give-in to their whims. This is exactly what some of your harshest critics want you to do.

 

[Ric Burney]

Guess I'll throw my two cents in on this issue. I've streamed for several years. At first it was a chore and sometimes frustrating. As said above it took too much attention away from important things that should have had my immediate attention. After a while though I was able to adjust my rig so now it's pretty much a "set it and forget it" operation. I used to stream any and everything during a chase, start to finish. It was nice to locally archive my stream to have a backup record and even catch a few storm features here and there I otherwise may have missed. Since I've switched to a SSD and have other means to record the chase I won't be archiving the stream any longer. I'll still stream when / if there's something interesting to stream but it certainly isn't my main priority by any means. As far as profiting from streaming, I knew from the onset that wasn't ever going to happen. It's always been something I've done for fun, friends and family that are interested in seeing what's going on.

 

[Tom Stolze]

I am sure there will be plenty to view as soon as the weather becomes more active.
For me it is easier than ever to stream, plug in the USB cable, launch OBS, hit the stream button. I agree that one can let the live stream takeover the chase, trying to keep the subject in frame can be frustrating at times depending on the storm motion and road network.
Then there is still the question about revenue sharing for those of us that have used that in the past to help offset a portion of our chasing cost.

 

[Adam Lucio]

After thinking about this some more I realized I may give it one last try. I guess for me it is my setup using an old bulky camcorder that had extra cords and wires dangling all over the place. The size of the camera meant I couldn't really turn or aim it well so I missed half the shots I wanted to get. Once CTV is setup and running its quite simple to activate. So I guess I just need to simplify things with a smaller camera and I bet most of my issues will go away. I did like being able to share what I was doing with friends/family and the NWS. As far as revenue sharing goes...well...time will tell on that one. There are plenty of people out there who like to watch.

 

[nmoore125]

I can see the point of a lot of you here but I am more on the other side of the spectrum. I am on TVN and really enjoy it. I have been chasing on my own for years. Over 20. It wasn't till last year that a few people that I had shared my experiences in the past said that they thought it would be great for me to show it off to the world. Now if I was a brand new chaser alot of these points above make absolute sense, but I have seen so much over the years that getting that perfect spot or shot isn't the end of the world to me. So I started out giving TVN a shot. The response I got was amazing and people really loved it. I have been hooked ever since.. I feel I had my time to enjoy this to myself all these years now I want to give to those that do not get to experience it. There are a lot of people out there that don't have the means or just can't get out to the plains to see this stuff. So I now it my goal to provide the best experience for the people that do follow me. Yes.. Its a different thought process, and I am a little safer and not as "gutsy" as I was solo with no streams but I thoroughly enjoy people getting see the beauty of what we all love. Obviously if things get really intense and I for some reason find myself in a bad spot then focus obviously turns away from the stream. I am also luck and have unlimited data from Verizon so the costs are not to bad..

Anyways just my 2 cents on the topic. Nobody is wrong .. I think it just depends on where your at in your chasing life and if you enjoy it or not.

 

[Ben Holcomb]

The other real problem is that sometimes you can get into poor data areas and your stream stops working well and causes GR to stop downloading radar data. Typically I'm already on a storm at that point, so I don't care so much, but it can be a pain to not have up to date radar data.

 

[Dan Robinson]

Press on despite your critics, or else you will only ever give-in to their whims. This is exactly what some of your harshest critics want you to do.

The "critics" are just one of the many negatives to streaming. They aren't the only bad thing about it that keeps me from doing it, they are just one part of a whole host of reasons not to stream. The problem isn't a few "negative nancys", it is that there is absolutely no redeeming quality in streaming that would make we want to do it again, critics or not. The critics just help to put another nail in the coffin. If there were just one other really good reason to stream, a few critics wouldn't bother me. The point is that there is NO good reason to stream. It is all cost and hassle to a chaser, and brings no benefit whatsoever.

I realize there are a few who might enjoy and appreciate watching a stream. But honestly, for as horrible streaming is to me as a chaser and to my chasing goals, I would simply expect those appreciative viewers to start ponying up to pay for their share of chase expenses just as if they were riding along. We all know that's never happening. Even if I could somehow attract enough paying subscribers to make the economics work, the thought still makes me cringe. When the free viewers are already exacting such wrath on chasers for camera angles and chase strategy, I can only imagine the unholy firestorm that would descend on me from paying viewers when things aren't done to their liking! No thanks and no thanks!!!

Again, I won't fault someone for continuing to stream if they want to, people can do what they wish. You just won't see me doing it, if that means anything.

 

[rdale]

The point is that there is NO good reason to stream. It is all cost and hassle to a chaser, and brings no benefit whatsoever.

At the minimum it covers my gas for every chase, and if it's a good chase then I have gas plus a fancy steak dinner at the end. Every time.

Approach TV stations and try to get a guarantee for using your livestream. I'm not going to get rich, but as noted there's very little work for me to do and it always has a return. Even on clear-sky busts, the TV stations I use still want to "brag" that they have chasers out so I get paid.

 

[Sean Ramsey]

I've streamed for five years now and there was a point I thought it was a huge hassle and taking away from the quality of my chase, but over time connecting has gotten simpler and re-connecting is almost automatic when I lose signal. I enjoy streaming and interacting with the audience on the way to a chase, and when the chase begins the stream becomes secondary, but most times it's not something I have to tend to.

A lot of my family and friends watch the stream and I like it because it gives them a way to be involved in my chasing, because otherwise it's something I do on my own. I made enough cash to pay for some chases in the past, but now I don't pay to stream and I don't expect to get paid. But, if something comes from it that's fine. We get to do something unique that, believe it or not, many people would give their left arm to do but for one reason or another can't or won't, but find it fascinating. I don't mind sharing it with them.

 

[Bill Hark]

My perspective as a chaser and viewer: As a viewer, I really enjoy watching streaming video when I can't be out chasing. I like to flip through streams and generally won't go onto an individual streaming link unless I am friends with them and checking out their progress. I prefer websites that have multiple streamers and a radar overlay. I enjoy clicking on a streamer icon and seeing their view in relationship to the storm on radar. I also like a website where I can quickly see the view of multiple streamers or at least a static image that I can click on. Unless there is an actual tornado, I really have no interest in watching a stream if no location is given or location without radar.

As a chaser, I won't be streaming mainly because I chase alone or in a caravan. I am already taxed to the limit and streaming would be one more thing to add to a crowded agenda. I'd hate to miss a shot, make a tactical error or crash my computer while messing with the stream. I might consider streaming if I could take a small separate self-contained device, stick it to the windshield and hit "on" and forget about it. I have nothing against those who stream as I am glad some do. From previous posts, it seems like there is not much money to be made but most chasers don't make that much money anyway. If they can afford to stream, go for it. There is nothing wrong with streaming just for attention and enjoyment. Maybe some streamers could be sponsored by a TV station or other entity. Maybe that entity could supply the equipment. As an aside, I do think some NWS folks look at streams for info on storms.

Bill Hark

 

[Bob Hartig]

For those who enjoy watching live streams and feel a concern about their becoming unavailable: I don't think you need to worry. When the season ramps up this spring, I'm sure you'll still find plenty of live streams to enjoy. More chasers (including me) appear to be choosing not to live stream for reasons that have been amply and eloquently expressed, and I suspect that trend will continue. But others obviously feel differently, they too have reasons, and that's fine. It's not a moral issue. In any event, I doubt live streaming is in danger of disappearing in the immediate future.

 

[Susan Barwan]

Hey there everybody Just wanted to throw my thoughts out there on this issue....

As a spotter who hasn't been able to travel to tornado alley and chase yet, I completely enjoy watching chasers livestreams. I watch for hours...i appreciate all the hard work that goes into planning the chase and the actual chase itself. There are plenty of us out here that don't take what you do for granted and I for one, would really miss being able to watch live tornadoes (the passion of my life since 1967). But i also understand how much of a headache it can be. So to those of you who will continue to stream live...thank you! I will watch religiously. And to those of you who don't stream anymore....it's all good guys. We understand. Here's to a great season this year and very few storm casualties.

 

[Dan Robinson]

One more thought on streaming for TV purposes. Anything done for a TV station is akin to working for that station as an employee or contractor. As such, the station using my labor/vehicle to enhance their final product should do one of two things:

a.) Pay a fee that allows me to both cover my costs AND make a profit, or
b.) Cover the cost of the equipment, fuel and vehicle wear during the time I'm performing services for them, all while paying me an hourly wage.

Heck, the janitor at the station gets at least that, why not me? A TV station simply covering my costs isn't good enough. It really shouldn't be good enough for anybody. TV stations aren't charities worthy of making donations to. If you spend any extra time for a station or network doing ANYTHING - setting up/troubleshooting a stream for them, FTPing video, editing together a package for air, doing live reports/phoners - that should all be billable time. Just like if you were a plumber or electrician making a service call to the station to fix their toilets or light switches.

You're supposed to make a profit when you perform services in the business world, not just break even. It's not about "being all about money" or getting rich. Don't fall for the "profit is evil" malarkey. You get a paycheck at work because someone at the top is making sure there is a profit to pay you with. It's not to get rich, but to make a living. I don't know about anyone else, but I still have to pay for my living expenses. In this world where everyone is so up in arms about income inequality, it's baffling that many are so eager to help big corporations make money without getting a paycheck in return. I know that times are tougher for TV business these days, but I know for a fact that stations could budget for this, but they simply don't because they haven't had to.

I can't stop someone from doing free work, that's a choice everyone has to make for themselves.