Striv provides live streaming and VODs to +80 U.S. high schools

Every live streamer has different priorities. For most youth, live streaming via a Facebook account is the main application. However, high schools have different needs. For example, professionalism is more important when it comes to school-sponsored streams.

A few features that are important to serve this type of client include white-label service, ad-free content, unlimited viewers, and simplicity.

Key Features Overview

White label is a video industry term centered around branding. A “white label” service means that there is no branding included. This allows a business like Striv to build a platform around the Dacast system–without the Dacast logo appearing in any of the streams or on the dashboard. This approach is more professional, and it also allows Striv or a school to insert its own logo.

Most free live streaming services, like Facebook and YouTube, use advertising to monetize. In a school or professional setting, it isn’t appropriate to be interrupted by advertising. That’s why ad-free streaming is another important feature for Striv.

Especially in a school setting, streaming should also be cross-compatible to reach audiences. Striv’s streams are compatible with desktops, laptops, iPhones, Android, smart TVs, tablets, and a wide range of other devices.

Another important feature of high schools is unlimited viewers. Many live streaming platforms offer basic plans with a limited number of concurrent viewers. It can be quite easy to reach these limits, especially during major events such as State athletics and sports, or at graduation ceremonies for large schools. An unlimited viewer platform mitigates this problem.

Finally, a video platform for high schools needs to be relatively simple. Most high schools can’t afford a large technical staff and may use student volunteers to help run live streams and video recording. Since students are constantly cycling through, any video platform needs to be easy to learn and use.

Dacast offers all these features and capabilities at a reasonable price.

Technically, Striv is built around an Online Video Platform, or OVP. An OVP is like a Swiss Army Knife for online video, providing services for streaming, managing, and delivering video content. Recently, Striv has switched to using Dacast for its OVP in search of a more cost-effective service.

This integration is made possible through the Dacast content management video API. An API, or Application Programming Interface, is a simplified language of commands that makes it simple to build applications around a given service. In the case of Dacast, the API allows Striv to build their customized school dashboard application so that users can stream and manage content directly.

Taylor Siebert, CEO of Striv, says the switch from their former OVP provider to Dacast was “a smooth transition” thanks to a “well-documented API that was pretty straightforward with no need to reach out to the Dacast support team.”

Striv has definitely succeeded in taking advantage of video APIs to expand their business, grow revenue, and provide a great customer experience. Since its humble beginnings at one high school, the company has since grown to work with nearly 85 high schools statewide, and counting!

Dacast’s video API allows Striv to deliver a top-quality service while minimizing expense and technical overhead. Combined with excellent customer support and support around software, websites, and social media, this has helped Striv’s service to become a major success. We’re thrilled to be working with Striv and expect to continue to see great things from them!

Founded in 2012, Striv hit the scene when live streaming was still an emerging technology. Through a contract with a single high school, Striv launched its business and began broadcasting live events. Striv’s first customer soon realized the value of these services. Word began to circulate in the school district and soon spread to the broader academic community statewide.

As Striv began acquiring more partner schools, it developed a routine for value-added training. Each time a new school joins the network, Striv employees visit the site and work with staff and students to set up equipment and a custom school dashboard. Together, these tools enable starting, monitoring, and managing live streams.

This model has proved its own value over the last 6 years. Today, Striv works with a wide range of high schools. The company provides live streaming services that are affordable enough for strained educational budgets and still retain professional features. Among other benefits, Striv clients love working with the company for the technical robustness of the platform, and because students and staff can easily learn to operate the system.