Record Web crowd flocks to CNN and Facebook's live inauguration stream

So you couldn't make it to the inauguration. How to experience it from afar without missing the speeches, the crowds, the inane comments of the guy standing next to you?

Thanks to CNN and Facebook, you could get all that from the comfort of your desk chair. CNN.com's live streaming, which was accompanied by a sidebar showing who on Facebook was watching, set Web traffic records this morning, with 18.8 million total online viewers. It also served more than 1.3 million concurrent live streams just before Obama began his inaugural address, beating the estimated 700,000 concurrent streams served during a YouTube event that industry watchers believed held the previous record.

The total numbers were much higher. As of 8:10 a.m. Pacific time, CNN said, its website had served up more than 8 million live video streams globally, which beat its previous daily-streaming record of 5.3 million, set on election day. And that record was set before the ceremony got into full swing. The number hit 13.9 million by 8:45 a.m. and 18.8 million by 10 a.m.

The Facebook feed was complete with the snarky, inspired and sometimes gloomy commentary of the viewers. In turn, CNN staffers commented on the air about some of the Facebook comments. How meta.

As the pomp and circumstance were shown online, one woman wrote she was glad that Miley Cyrus wasn't singing the national anthem. A handful of other Web viewers virtually shouted "Amen" when prompted by Joseph Lowery. Still others mocked poet Elizabeth Alexander. The Facebook masses seemed not to like poetry. Judging from their comments, they also seem not to like former President Bush.

The record numbers mean today is a historic day in technology too, according to Richard Greenfield, an analyst with Pali Capital.

"CNN.com’s broadcast is a watershed event," he wrote on his blog (registration required). "Live TV shifted from a passive to a social/interactive experience and underscored the power of the Internet to deliver video programming to a massive number of users simultaneously."

On the Web, as in the real world, watching the inauguration with a crowd means there's not always enough room for everyone. The CNN site was so crowded that people trying to get on were told that they'd have to wait until some room freed up to watch. At least they could wait in line from the comfort of their own couches.

-- Alana Semuels

Comments

[Laura Ahern]

Except that it was impossible to view it on CNN, CBS, ABC or NBC because they were all overloaded!

[misterarthur]

Nice PR release. It was actually unwatchable, unless you consider a frozen image of Jimmy Carter streaming video.

[Keith Roe]

I had no problem watching it on CNN.com.... It was great....luckily they recorded it and you can still watch it....lol.... Great to be an American today!!!

[Bryce]

I was watching on CNN and the stream was perfect, but I also read a lot of comments saying it wasn't working. I wonder how many people it actually worked well for?

[CeeBee]

We had to steam it here on MSNBC and it still froze during Obama's oath. :(

[J Paul]

Our office had several streams going due to the number of people wanting to see history in the making. Streaming video is fed into our office via Comcast where data and voice come in via AT&T. There were no problems with the video stream. An odd statement I know considering it's Comcast.

[Emcdiva]

Couldn't get through the FB/CNN link, although I was registered it kept saying the live video would begin shortly. I finally went to BBC America and watched the live stream from there, since it was almost impossible getting a live feed from any of the news stations, national or local. The feed was a little spotty at first, but straightened out and was fine after that. Nothing like a little international help in one's time of need! :-)

[Ivon]

I was unable to view it on CNN, it stated I had to wait to join the watch party, once space was available. I logged off CNN and logged in to Hulu.

Funny, I did not have a problem at all on Hulu.

[A.K.]

I started watching about an hour before the inaugural oaths. The so-called "streams" kept cutting out every 30 seconds ago. They were completely unwatchable. I'd wait over a minute for the stream to start, watch 30 seconds of jerky video, and then the video "stream" would stop. Refreshing the browser window did not help. Restarting the browser did not help.

Fortunately, my plan was to "watch" things online only until it was almost time for the ceremony, and then to head to the cafeteria to watch it on TV.

Given CNN's issues with their webcast, we watched the inauguration on ABC.

[Tina]

I had no problems with streaming on the CNN/Facebook site. It worked perfectly and I loved being able to chat with friends throughout the ceremonies. Great idea and it made the experience even that much better than it already was (that is getting a new Administration in DC).

[kris]

'service not available in your area'...australia. how disappointing. i watched it on msnbc instead.

[Tom]

I received the screen listed above. Probably a good thing anyway, what a dark, depressing day for our country. Very sad indeed.

[Diane]

Logged on to C-Span at 11:00 am eastern time. In the middle of the speech the screen went blank - overloaded. Switched immediately to a radio audio feed, then logged into CNN and watched the end of the speech with no problem. Hooked up to a DSL line. Props to CNN.

[haha @ tom]

Hey Tom: "received the screen listed above. Probably a good thing anyway, what a dark, depressing day for our country. Very sad indeed."

You're probably a Mr. 27% supporter! Only person in the world that saw it as a dark, depressing day..

[W.MCCALPIN]

Janurary 1st where the worlds New Year but today Janurary 20th 2009 is Black america's NewYear and it feels good.

[addy122]

I watched over at Yahoo with ABC News live feed - not a problem all day!

[carlis highsmith]

a bless day to be alive, at 60 being out in were history was made i was there with Martin l. King, a young kid and now a Black man President all at the same place God is good
carlis highsmith-connecticut

[nargie]

The white house reviewing stand. which houses the president ,vice president and first ladies should be reconstructed and should include some sort of heating device .I think it's something that should be considered for them especially during the harsh winter months.

[Delroy]

After waiting in line for about 7 minutes for the CNN/Facebook connection, I watched the inauguration compliments of the Starbucks Wi-Fi connection at the Yonge & Eglinton location in Toronto, Canada, the stream was flawless.

[Stephanie Rankin]

My MacBook rocked the CNN-Facebook Inauguration all day long without a problem from 9:15 am to 4:45 pm. I had a smooth constant stream on wireless internet too! Thanks CNN for the webcast in vivid colors!!!

[Deborah]

I was able to access the ceremony online through ABC News in plenty of time and the images were fine. However, my very large over 100,000 employee company (which will remain unnamed) sent out an email at 10 am that said "Although we understand the excitement concerning this historic inaguration, you are asked to refrain from using web sites and streaming video to view the ceremony because we are afraid it will cause network tieups and as a result, business problems/losses"

So much for my enjoying the 10 or 15 minutes of the oath and the speech.
Fortunately, I'm sure I can get a copy of a DVD but it just won't be the same.

[ADia]

MILEY HATERS SHUT UP!
MILEY HAS A NICE VOICE

[Beth]

The streaming was terrible. I RSVPd ahead and couldn't get a line all morning. Maybe a little more bandwidth CNN and less bragging.

[michael leonardi]

I thought the streaming coupled with facebook was great! By choice I've lived without t.v. for almost 7 years and was really impressed by the participatory nature of this technology. The streaming worked fine for us here in a small town in the south of Italy.

[michael leonardi]

I thought the streaming coupled with facebook was great! By choice I've lived without t.v. for almost 7 years and was really impressed by the participatory nature of this technology. The streaming worked fine for us here in a small town in the south of Italy.