Inside the Rise of FRDM+: A New Era for Live Streaming Events
As the world adapted to the challenges posed by the pandemic, many businesses faced unprecedented obstacles. For the team behind FRDM+, the launch of their first pay-per-view (PPV) event coincided with a nationwide shutdown in Florida. “Florida implemented a statewide shutdown on the very day of our event,” recounted Mitchell, one of the key figures in the initiative.
Overcoming Initial Hurdles
Mitchell also faced significant challenges in assembling a skilled crew and procuring necessary equipment for the event. With flight availability severely restricted, the production had to pivot to a more localized approach. “We produced the event from California using a cell phone group chat and last-minute local crew,” he explained. The crew, though effective, faced logistical issues; for instance, the ENG camera operator had to find creative solutions to keep Mitchell in frame due to height differences.
Incredible Viewer Engagement
The inaugural PPV event garnered impressive attention, attracting 75,000 concurrent viewers, which led to the crashing of both FRDM+’s website and those of its partners. “Our initial bandwidth provider laughed at our viewership projections, and, of course, we surpassed them in the first week of presales,” Mill noted. Following this unexpected success, they quickly adapted, leading to an increase in their service capabilities and a demand for improved infrastructure.
Technological Evolution
One of the early challenges for the FRDM+ team was integrating the livestream platform within their e-commerce site. “The biggest challenge there was juggling two separate logins, one for merch shopping and another for livestream PPV, all within the same site,” Mill explained. Evolving from these foundations, the current focus is on seamlessly transitioning audiences from YouTube to FRDM+ for premium live events. The platform now has 21 livestreamed events scheduled throughout 2025, with more anticipated.
Modern Streaming Experience
Today, FRDM+ offers users a streaming experience akin to established platforms like Netflix. The service features multiple channels categorized by content type, new releases, and upcoming events. “Navigating the streaming service doesn’t feel much different from something like Netflix,” stated Mill, highlighting the user-friendly interface that includes content summaries and trailers, alongside support resources.
Robust Infrastructure
Underpinning the technological framework of FRDM+ is a robust infrastructure composed of various advanced systems. AWS bandwidth servers manage the heavy lifting, while Accedo powers the connected TV applications, ensuring a bridge between the technology and its audience. Brightcove serves as the primary video player partner, with additional backup systems guaranteeing reliability. “Redundancy is critical,” Mill emphasized, noting that the organization has measures like beaming air fiber from a nearby location to ensure consistent internet service.
Team Dynamics and Self-Funding
While FRDM+ has overcome early technical challenges, the organization’s current difficulty lies in managing its multifaceted operations with a relatively small team. With 35 full-time employees spread across different divisions—including Shop, Race Track, Events, and Merch—FRDM+ operates primarily on a self-funded model. The core live streaming team consists of six dedicated employees, complemented by contractors for production needs.
Conclusion
The evolution of FRDM+ reflects a dynamic response to both market demands and technological advancements. As live events remain central to their offerings, the platform continues to expand, fostering growth in an increasingly saturated digital entertainment landscape.