The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) will webcast Chris Hadfield’s first news conference tomorrow since his return from his five month stay on the International Space Station. Users will be able to watch the webcast on the CSA web site if the webcast is not overloaded.
In a release sent out to media, the CSA made a strange point; “The media session will be webcast live over the CSA website. To ensure access to the feed, please connect at 9:50 a.m. as after that the system might be overloaded by users.”
It seems strange that in 2013 anyone would need to make such a statement, let alone a government funded organization. After all the tools are easily accessible to anyone to broadcast to a large audience.
In fact the CSA has a UStream channel which they could use to broadcast the webcast and not worry about making such a statement.
As well, if anyone in the audience wanted to, they could use their smartphone to broadcast live on Ustream tomorrow’s event and not worry about how many people will be connecting to their channel.
Perhaps it’s time the CSA reconsider its webcast strategy as the current one doesn’t seem to be working as evident by their above statement.
When: May 16, 2013*
What time: 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. EDT*
Web address: http://www.asc-csa.gc.ca/eng/webcast.asp
* The date and time of the event may change without advance notice.
May 16, 8:00 am ET update: It appears the CSA might webcast the event on UStream now. Their channel just went live with a notice saying the next webcast is today at 10. As well, the CBC has announced they will Livestream the event on their web site.