Congress, now live on YouTube

Video plays a powerful role in bringing us closer together, especially when it connects people in real time. By transcending borders, empowering citizens, and increasing transparency, it’s one of the many ways technology allows democracy to thrive. Starting this week, all members of the U.S. Congress will have the opportunity to access enhanced features on their YouTube channels, including the ability to live stream video.

Live video is already allowing elected officials and their constituents to reach one another in innovative ways. Thousands tuned in to YouTube to watch the president’s State of the Union address and the corresponding Republican response this February. Engagement is growing across many types of platforms--Google+ Hangouts, for example, have sparked face-to-face conversations on topics ranging from gun control to the national economy, and have allowed people on the other side of the world to share their stories at Congressional hearings.

If you’re a member of Congress and would like to know more, check out these Dear Colleague letters issued by the House and Senate. Whether it’s to share a look into your daily work, broadcast speeches and meetings, or showcase events in your state or district, we can’t wait to see how you connect with your constituents.

Robert Kyncl, Vice President, Global Head of Content Partnerships for YouTube recently watched "Dove Real Beauty Sketches" & Susan Molinari, Vice President, Public Policy and Government Relations recently watched “If there's one thing you do today, get a business online.”

Do this, do that, Do Something on YouTube!

Have a feeling you’re going to be a little bored this weekend? Why not Do Something different?

Well now you can - live - with DoSomething.org. Do Something is a nonprofit organization that works with young people to create social change through national campaigns and impactful service projects.

Today, from 9:30am - 5:30pm ET, you can tune in here on YouTube to watch Do Something’s NYC Boot Camp. Check out the schedule to see if they're are certain sessions you want to attend or watch the whole day!

Do Something Boot Camp will bring together a diverse group of young community leaders, activists and social entrepreneurs for a day of networking and training dedicated to giving each attendee the tools to grow and sustain their community action ideas, projects and organizations.

Now, with just an internet connection, young leaders and activists all over can participate in these how-to sessions on starting and managing projects, through live video on YouTube. And check out DoSomething.org’s YouTube Channel for other ways you can get involved and change your community for the better.

 

Jessica Mason, communications associate, recently watched "How to Start a Community Action Project"

Coachella 2012 - Live on YouTube

One of the best line-ups in music? Three days of live concerts?  In the desert?  Say yes to Coachella 2012, coming to you all weekend on YouTube! 

Since 2001, the the Coachella Music and Arts festival has brought thousands of fans to southern California to kick off the music festival season in style.  For the second year, YouTube will be live streaming the action, with a three day broadcast of the festival, presented by State Farm.

We’re not sure if it’s the promise of a weekend in Palm Springs, but Coachella always manages to pull together one the most impressive and diverse festival line-ups. YouTube will be streaming more than 60 artists over the weekend, including The Black Keys, Swedish House Mafia, Miike Snow, Andrew Bird, Florence + The Machine, and one of this year’s biggest breakthrough acts, Gotye

It all begins at 3:50pm PT this Friday, and you can check Coachella’s YouTube Channel for the latest schedule.




Tim Partridge, music marketing manager, recently watched "tUnE-yArDs - ‘My Country’."

Your front row seat to Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in NYC

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week kicks off today, and you can be front row at the Lincoln Center. YouTube Live From the Runway, presented by Maybelline NY, is your ticket to the hottest shows including Diane Von Furstenberg, Michael Kors, and Vera Wang.

Fashionistas from around the world can watch around 30 of today’s hottest designers live streamed from NYC. You can also find fashion and beauty tutorials, behind-the-scenes action, interviews with designers, models, celebrities and more, all at www.youtube.com/liverunway.



Tune in today through February 16 for the live stream. You can also add your favorite shows to your calendar from the designer line-up schedule on the channel.

Jamie Reichstein, lifestyle program manager, recently watched “Sporty Look for Spring 2012: Trend Report.”

Professional Bull Riding comes to YouTube

Over the last 20 years, Professional Bull Riders have turned a classic sport into a global league with more than 100 million fans tuning in from around the world. Now you can follow PBR on their YouTube Channel, for livestreamed events as well as original programming, interviews, highlights and your videos.

You can catch livestreamed events on:
  • January 6 from Madison Square Garden in NYC
  • April 21 from Des Moines, Iowa
  • April 28 from Uncasville, Connecticut
  • May 5 from Billings, Montana
  • May 18 from Pueblo, Colorado
  • And more to come
To get you ready to ride, here’s a quick look at the 2011 season:



See you in 2012!

Frank Golding, Director of Pro Sports & Leagues, YouTube Sports, recently watched “2011 Built Ford Tough World Finals highlights.”

Geoffrey Canada and Capella University livestream panel on education reform

One person can make a difference. Just ask Geoffrey Canada, an education reform advocate whose groundbreaking work in Harlem schools set a precedent across the United States. It’s even inspired U.S. President Barack Obama to apply his model to cities across America.

On December 28 at 3:00pm PT, Geoffrey Canada will deliver a keynote speech about education reform, hosted by Capella University and streamed live on YouTube. The keynote presentation will be followed by a panel discussion on critical issues with leaders in the field of education reform, including Dr. Steve Perry and Dr. Christy Hovanetz. The panel will also answer questions submitted via YouTube here.

In the meantime, here’s some of Canada’s past work:



So check out the live event at 3:00pm PT on December 28 on Capella University's Inspire Ideas YouTube Channel, and we hope you enjoy.

Jen Howard, Education Director at Google, recently watched “YouTube for Schools: Join the Global Classroom Today!

Watch the Hajj in Saudi Arabia—the world’s largest pilgrimage—live on YouTube

Cross posted from the Official Google Blog.

Nearly 2.5 million Muslims will officially begin the annual Islamic ritual of the Hajj on November 5, in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The Hajj represents one of the five pillars of Islam; it requires all Muslims around the world who are able-bodied and can afford it to perform the pilgrimage once in their lifetime.

The Hajj is an ancient ritual, but now, through the Saudi Ministry of Culture and Information's YouTube channel, millions of people from around the world will be able to experience and comment on the event by tuning in via video.


Earlier this year, we worked with the Saudi Ministry of Culture and Information to broadcast Islamic prayers live during Ramadan from the Holy Mosque in Mecca for the first time. In continued cooperation with the Ministry, we’re now able to live stream the Hajj on YouTube for the first time.

The stream will be live on Saturday, November 5 at http://www.youtube.com/hajjlive.

Najeeb Jarrar, Product Marketing Manager, Middle East and North Africa, & Abdulrahman Tarabzouni, Regional Manager, Emerging Arabia, recently watched "Eysh Elly 11 ايش اللي."

Rock in Rio 2011 live on YouTube

With live streams of concerts like Coachella and Lollapalooza, and performances from bands like U2, YouTube is no stranger to hosting the planet’s big rock fests. So we’re adding another to the list: Rock in Rio 2011.

From September 23 to October 2, some of the biggest bands in the world will be live on YouTube performing at the world’s next mega-concert, Rock in Rio 2011 from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Rock in Rio YouTube channel already has an early look at some of the bands in the lineup, including Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Katy Perry, Elton John, Rihanna and more.



We’ll be live around the world in 24 different languages, so if you can’t attend in Brazil, clear your schedule and get ready to rock!

Flavia Simon, Marketing Manager, recently watched “Cidade do rock 3D.”

Watch Austin City Limits Music Festival all weekend on YouTube

This year marks Austin City Limits Music Festival’s 10th anniversary, and starting today, we're streaming the festival live on YouTube. Check out the trailer for the event:



Looking for big headliners? Rock? Rap? Indie? Electronic? Get your fill of bands including Coldplay, Social Distortion, Big Boi, TV on the Radio, Fleet Foxes, Cut Copy and over 30 more artists. Check out the full webcast schedule and mark your calendars—it’s going to be a great weekend of music.

The Dell and AMD-sponsored webcast kicks off today at 11:30 a.m. PT on youtube.com/aclfestival. We’ll see you there!

Sarah Bardeen, Music Community Manager, recently watched “Austin Kiddie Limits 2011.”

Watch Jonah Hill live on YouTube this Friday at 4pm PT

Fans of comedy star Jonah Hill, pull up a chair and join us. Jonah’s stopping by YouTube this Friday for a live streaming Q&A at 4pm PT to celebrate the release of his new movie, Moneyball.

The film tells the story of how baseball’s Oakland A’s used statistical analysis to compete against teams with much higher payrolls. As the A’s are one of two baseball teams local to YouTube HQ, we’re particularly happy to welcome Jonah as our guest.

As well as starring opposite Brad Pitt in Moneyball, Jonah appeared in some of the most popular comedies of recent years, including Knocked Up, The 40 Year Old Virgin and Funny People, all of which were directed by comedy auteur and mentor Judd Apatow. We’ll be asking Jonah about this and more, and he’s looking for you share your questions too:



Find out the human-interest story behind the statistics when we throw Jonah some curveballs. Fans of comedy know he’s sure to knock a few out of the park.

Mark Day, Comedy Programs Manager, recently watched “Dr Seuss Versus Shakespeare. Epic Rap Battles of History #12.”