The Evolution of FRDM+: Navigating Challenges in Live Streaming
The establishment of FRDM+, a live streaming platform tailored for premium events, came during unprecedented times as Florida implemented a statewide shutdown on the day of its first planned event. This posed significant challenges for the team, particularly for Mitchell, the organization’s driving force and its lead event producer.
Adapting to Adversity
Faced with logistical hurdles, Mitchell and his crew struggled to secure the necessary workforce and equipment to conduct the pay-per-view (PPV) event. Pandemic-related flight restrictions meant they had to orchestrate the event from California, relying on a group chat and a hastily assembled local crew. A humorous anecdote from Mitchell recounts how the ENG camera operator had to climb onto various objects to frame him correctly for the broadcast.
The inaugural PPV event achieved remarkable success, attracting 75,000 concurrent viewers, a milestone that ultimately led to website crashes for both FRDM+ and its sponsors. “Our initial bandwidth provider laughed at our viewership projections, and, of course, we surpassed them in the first week of pre-sales,” said Mill. “They did apologize before asking for a much larger check.”
Technical Innovations and Solutions
As the platform matured, early technical obstacles were addressed, particularly the integration of the livestreaming service into Mitchell’s e-commerce site. Mill outlined the complexities involved in managing separate logins for merchandise sales and live streaming, a challenge they overcame, allowing for smoother user navigation.
As the platform’s capabilities evolved, Mill stated, “Our focus is on seamlessly guiding the YouTube audience over to FRDM+ for premium live events.” Live events remain central to the offering, with the service boasting 21 livestreamed events scheduled through 2025 and expectations for further growth.
User Experience and Platform Design
Today, FRDM+ has transformed its infrastructure to provide a user experience akin to mainstream streaming services like Netflix. Users can explore a variety of channels integrated by thematic content, with features showcasing new releases and upcoming events. The platform includes summaries and trailers for many titles and a dedicated support section to assist with subscription management.
Subscribers can access FRDM+ through multiple interfaces, including web browsers and applications compatible with smart TVs. Currently, the platform supports apps on Apple TV, Fire OS, and Roku OS. The team actively enhances connected TV apps and develops new features to improve interactivity and customer engagement.
Robust Infrastructure and Future Prospects
FRDM+ utilizes a diverse range of technologies to maintain its operations. According to Mill, the core infrastructure relies on AWS bandwidth servers, supported by Accedo for app development and Brightcove as the main video player partner. Additional backup systems ensure uninterrupted service, essential for live performance events.
“At the Freedom Factory, we even beam air fiber from a house five miles away to ensure a reliable second Internet connection. We also have a hidden page on the Cleetus McFarland website to launch a backup stream if the primary one fails,” Mill elaborated on the operational strategies to safeguard against potential disruptions.
Currently, the primary challenge for FRDM+ is managing its multifaceted business model with a lean team. Comprising 35 full-time employees across various divisions such as Shop, Race Track, Events, and Merch, the company remains entirely self-funded. The core livestream team consists of just six full-time members, showcasing the efficiency required to handle this growing platform.
Conclusion
Through resilience and adaptability, FRDM+ has emerged as a significant player in the live streaming landscape. As it continues to navigate its operational challenges and expand its reach, the platform is poised for continued success in delivering exciting content to a growing audience.