THE TM JOURNAL
Planning a live stream? Start with these five decisions.
By yqpqq · October 28, 2026 · Updated October 28, 2026
Service illustrationA live stream connects people who cannot be in the room. The most useful planning starts with the experience you want those people to have, rather than a list of equipment.
1. Decide who the stream is for
A public conference, a family wedding and a private memorial have different audiences. Agree whether anyone should be able to watch, whether viewers need a private link, or whether access should be restricted. A shared link is convenient, but it can also be forwarded.
2. Set out the programme and the locations
Share the start and finish times, the running order and any movement between venues. If a ceremony and reception happen in different places, the team needs time to move and prepare. Identify simultaneous sessions early; one crew cannot record two rooms at once.
3. Plan sound as carefully as the picture
People need to hear clearly to follow an event. Tell the production team whether the venue has microphones, a sound operator and an audio system. Agree how speeches, presentations and audience contributions will be captured.
4. Check internet and power at the venue
A phone showing a strong signal does not establish that a connection will support the proposed stream throughout an event. The technical team should assess the connection needed for the agreed production and discuss practical backup arrangements. Power availability and equipment locations matter too.
5. Agree what happens after the broadcast
Decide whether you need a recording, edited highlights, separate speeches or short social clips. These are different outputs, and editing needs its own scope and review time. Also decide who may receive, download or share the recording.
What to include in your enquiry
Share the event type, date, venue, programme duration, expected audience, preferred platform and required deliverables. If you do not know an answer yet, say so. The purpose of the brief is to identify the decisions that still need to be made.