How are these people broadcasting to lots of people over internet?

Brian_Pamo

So, whilst on lockdown I’ve seen a number of concerts and quizzes mentioned locally (to where I live) that are to be broadcast over the internet into our living room. In fact, I actually witnessed the kids taking part in a quiz on Facebook last weekend. Somebody please tell me.. how are the people broadcasting these quizzes etc? Example...So, there was a quiz on tonight being broadcast (from our local pub) on Facebook. My wife was watching the quiz on Facebook on her phone and the quiz man broadcasting seemed to know how many people were playing and all the team names. 

So guys... please tell me how this one is being broadcast. Then, example 2.  My mate told me he took part in a quiz over the net last Saturday where the contestants were typing answers on their phones (sat in their homes) and on a huge TV behind the quiz man who was broadcasting you could see the contestants answers coming in on the bottom of the screen. 

How did they broadcast this AND get answers in? 

KxMx

My Zumba teacher is delivering her classes via Zoom, an Internet app. 
When I book I get an email with the meeting link, so she knows who to expect. 
When I join the meeting I can see her and the others, with names displayed. 
There is a chat feature where you can send in meeting messages, these come up on all our screens.
I don't know however if you can broadcast Zoom over Facebook. My knowledge of Facebook live is limited. 

7Phil

Though the use of virtualised apps and technologies: There are a variety of different ones that are used for each different purpose. Each app has different strengths based on the situation and what they are used for.
Most modern smartphones and PCs/Macs have the technology needed to run these different apps. The apps are written to work on all types of modern devices.

A very common app to hold a group meeting (including video) such as the ones we see on TV is Zoom. 
Zoom is particularly good because the people that run the meetings pay Zoom for the use of the app and technology to allow people to easily connect. This is better than free apps as the free apps collect revenue from collecting data or advertising.
Other similar apps are Microsoft Skype, Teams, Google Hangouts and Houseparty. There are surely more for different uses.

There are other virtual apps around that are specifically tailored towards types of activities. For example, running a quiz: A good one I know for that is called Kahoot!

The organiser will choose an app and then give participants instructions on how to join in.

Chino

7Phil said:

Though the use of virtualised apps and technologies
...
There are other virtual apps around

What is a "virtual app"?

dan958

There are many different ways of broadcasting, Twitch, Facebook, etc. You can use programs such as OBS or Xsplit to set up a broadcast.
you can use APIs to put comments onto your video, here is an example of adding Facebook comments into OBS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKRhp6VxbcQ&feature=youtu.be

ToxicWomble

Zoom has some very serious potential security issues that have been revealed recently 

Chino

ToxicWomble said:

Zoom has some very serious potential security issues that have been revealed recently

Most of which are vastly overblown and just require a little common sense on the part of users to mitigate. And are certainly unlikely to affect those hosting Facebook/pub quizzes.