Patterns of Communication in Live Streaming A comparison of China and the United States

Abstract: Live streaming as a social medium provides a multi-functional internet platform for its users to have real-time interaction with others through broadcasting live streaming videos by mobile devices and websites. It brings a new mode of communication. There are previous studies related to its basic usage practices, user’s behavior and its applications in specific fields, etc. However, this study is made from a communicative perspective. It aims to describe and analyze the communication patterns in live streaming. The study is a comparative study between China and the United States. In order to study the communication patterns in live streaming, 106 live streaming videos are observed (the total length of 2251 minutes). Combining qualitative analysis with quantitative analysis, communication patterns in live streaming are analyzed based on relevant communication theories including: Interactive Communication Management, and Multimodal Communication. Cultural differences between China and America are reflected during analyses of communication patterns in live streaming. The findings demonstrate that there are common communication patterns in live streaming in China and the United States. Common communication patterns are mostly influenced or decided by traits of live streaming, the new social medium. Common communication patterns in the two countries inference some general communication patterns in live streaming. But, different communication patterns in live streaming in China and the United States also exist. Indicating the cultural impact of the countries on communication patterns in live streaming.