Pay-per-view streaming lets you charge viewers a one-time fee to watch your live event or replay. It is the simplest monetisation model for community events, sports matches, and school performances. This guide explains how to set it up from scratch.
What is pay-per-view streaming?
Pay-per-view, or PPV, means viewers buy a ticket to watch a single event or piece of content. Unlike a subscription, there is no ongoing commitment. The viewer pays once, watches the event, and that is it. This makes PPV ideal for one-off events like cup finals, concerts, and fundraisers.
From a technical standpoint, PPV works through a paywall: a gate that sits between the viewer and the video player. The viewer lands on your event page, sees the price, enters their card details, and is immediately granted access to the stream.
Choosing a PPV platform
Not all streaming platforms include a built-in paywall. Some require you to bolt on a third-party payment tool, which adds complexity and often a second set of fees. The simplest setup is an all-in-one platform where ticketing, streaming, and payments are handled in the same place.
Key features to look for include Stripe integration for direct payouts, the ability to set different prices for live and replay access, promo code support for sponsors or VIPs, and a viewer experience that does not require account creation.
Setting your ticket price
Price your stream based on the perceived value to the viewer. A county final or prestigious school concert can command a higher price than a regular league match. Most community events fall between three and ten pounds or euros.
Offering a lower-priced replay option alongside the live ticket increases total revenue. Some viewers cannot watch live but are happy to pay a reduced rate to watch later. This also extends your earning window beyond the event itself.
Creating your event
On most platforms, you create an event by entering the event name, date and time, a short description, and your ticket prices. You will then get a public link that you can share with potential viewers. Some platforms also let you add a cover image and your organisation logo.
Once the event is created, configure your stream settings. The platform will give you an RTMP URL and stream key to paste into your encoder or streaming app. When you start sending video to that address, the platform handles everything else: transcoding, CDN delivery, and playback.
Processing payments
The gold standard for payment processing is Stripe Connect. With Stripe Connect, viewer payments go directly to your own Stripe account. The platform takes its share automatically as an application fee. You do not need to wait for the platform to pay you out.
If you do not already have a Stripe account, you can create one in about ten minutes. You will need your bank details, a form of ID, and basic information about your organisation. Once connected, payments appear in your Stripe dashboard within a day or two.
Set up your first PPV event today
PassCast Community makes pay-per-view simple. Create an event, set your price, share your link. No monthly fees, no long contracts.
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