The multilingual white-label electronic ticket sales platform "ZAIKO" has begun offering a paid "electronic ticket-based live streaming" service that allows organizers to freely set options such as archive periods, the presence of comments, and a tipping system, and it has received a significant response.

■cero's electronic ticket-based live stream has become a hot topic

The electronic ticket-based live stream "Contemporary http Cruise" by cero, which was broadcasted on March 13, recorded viewer numbers far exceeding expectations despite the announcement just two days before the event, achieving great success.
Furthermore, immediately after the live stream announcement, there was a flurry of responses on Twitter. Most user comments were positive regarding the paid streaming, and there were also many comments questioning the cancelation of events and the prevalence of free live streams. By turning what had previously been free live streams into "events" and selling tickets for a fee, it has revealed new possibilities for live events in the entertainment industry.
The live stream hosted by cero this time marks the first electronic ticket-based live streaming in the industry, drawing attention not only from cero's fans but also from the general public, and all corners of the music and entertainment industry, as well as the IT and tech industry.


■Comment from Mr. Nakahara of Kakubari Rhythm

“The ‘paid streaming live’ that we conducted was an attempt to combat the crisis faced by not only the music industry but the entire entertainment industry, albeit somewhat clumsily, but we received a response far beyond our expectations. Despite having less than a week for preparation, ZAIKO's flexible response allowed for a smooth and stress-free process from ticket sales to broadcasting to archive publication. Services that were not available during our stream were quickly introduced, making it easy to imagine that more features from the perspective of event coordinators and artists will continue to be added. The ability to determine details such as the presence or absence of comments, archives, and duration settings according to the organizer's intent is also wonderful, and it gives the impression that the streaming can adapt to the form of the event. Moreover, if, even after this situation stabilizes, we add streaming tickets for sold-out performances, the capacity could expand infinitely. For those who have difficulty going out or those with children who cannot attend live shows, having the option of streaming tickets means anyone can experience the live show, which I think is a wonderful thing. In addition to streaming alone, ZAIKO is fundamentally a ticket sales service, so it feels attractive that we can sell tickets through our own hands for a wide range of customers, from small-scale live shows that were previously handled by email reservations to large-scale touring events, both domestically and internationally.”


■Support tipping system and new features under development

ZAIKO has newly introduced a support tipping system during and after live streams, allowing the audience to utilize a more flexible tipping system, while organizers can analyze audience trends from the timing of tips.

Additionally, development is advancing on chat functionalities and other new features, enabling further deepening of understanding the audience through live streaming.


■The potential of live streaming events is expected to accelerate with the introduction of 5G

With the further development of communication speeds via the "5G" introduced in 2020, users will gain richer live content in live streaming, along with an interactive viewing experience created between the event venue and online, enhancing the value of live streaming.

Accordingly, the previously exclusive experience felt only by those present at the event venue can create a new value of experience that can only be tasted through online live streaming thanks to the spread of 5G, and it is expected to provide event organizers with new options for diversifying revenue through events in the coming era.


■Upcoming electronic ticket-based live streaming events

・bohemianvoodoo【“MOMENTS” TOUR TOKYO FINAL】
　March 20 (Friday) 21:00〜 @ Shinagawa Intercity Hall
　https://playwright.zaiko.io/_item/325046

・Live streaming! This is Yanagiya Mutsumi and Rat Bones!
　March 20 (Friday) 18:00〜 @ Shibuya LOFT HEAVEN
　https://loft-prj.zaiko.io/_item/325068

・Kurokumo 2nd major album release performance 【bloom】
　March 22 (Sunday) 18:30〜19:30
　https://krkm-bloom.zaiko.io/_item/325004

・SOME KINDA ANGEL #2 【bloom】
　March 22 (Sunday) 12:00〜15:00 @ Shimokitazawa Three
　https://usefulfictionrecords.zaiko.io/_item/325044

・Masanao Matsushita Solo Performance 【The Moon is Unmanned】
　March 25 (Wednesday) 20:00〜22:00 @ Aoyama Tsukimi Ru Kimi Soufu
　https://moonromantic.zaiko.io/e/mm-solo

・"TONE BASS talking to YUKI "Release Live【Binaural LIVE! vol.4】
　March 29 (Sunday) 19:00〜19:30 @ LURU HALL
　https://luruhall.zaiko.io/_item/324942

・LAID BACK OCEAN No-audience Live Streaming Tour【GOD SAVE THE LIVE HOUSE】　
　April 7 (Tuesday) 21:00〜 @ Oita club SPOT
　April 8 (Wednesday) 21:00〜 @ Hyogo Amagasaki Scope
　April 11 (Saturday) 20:00〜 @ Niigata Joetsu Earth
　https://laidbackocean.zaiko.io/_item/325051


■Background of the development of the "live streaming electronic tickets" and new services

Following the spread of the novel coronavirus, the Japanese government announced a "request for event cancellation," leading to event cancellations and a clear statement that there would be no compensation from the government for damages suffered by organizers; it was further reported that compensation from event cancellation insurance would also be excluded. In this context, there was hope for the development of a system that enables paid rather than free live streaming to alleviate the burden on organizers as much as possible.

In such circumstances, "ZAIKO" has been advancing the development of new features and has made the option of "live streaming electronic tickets" available in addition to usual event tickets, allowing users who refrain from attending events to participate in events online.

This enables event organizers to provide options for both online and offline event participation to users without having to cancel event hosting, thus minimizing the damages caused by the novel coronavirus to event operators.