Live-streaming website Ustream will be adding some new features in coming weeks: the Ustream Open Pay-Per-View (PPV) program and ad-free broadcasting.
Open PPV — currently available to only a small, hand-selected group — will allow anyone broadcasting via the site to apply in order to charge viewers for content. Once applicants are approved for the program, they will be able to monetize their content via PayPal.
"We are initially launching with PayPal, and plan to roll out other payment methods later," says Shari Foldes, Ustream's head of marketing. "We are hoping to offer Open PPV to all users by the end of the year."
She says details of the revenue split between Ustream and broadcasters will be available once the program becomes available to everyone. Although a launch date has not been specified yet, the application process should be open soon. Those interested in the program can start signing up at ustream.tv/ppv to receive notices about the application process or submit requests for their own PPV shows.
In the meantime, ad-free broadcasting should be launched sometime in early November. Once available, broadcasters will be provided with a variety of options, which the company won't elaborate on just yet, but which will essentially allow them to remove ads.
Take a look at a sample shot of a pay-per-view page below: