Traditional means of communication like cable television and over-the-air broadcasts are on their way out, and this includes American space agency NASA. NASA is known for being one of the busiest players in the audio-visual space, with a long list of websites and online resources. However, they have announced a complete shift to on-demand streaming as part of their modernization efforts.
NASA has been running a streaming service called NASA+ for a while now, and it has already gained four times more viewership than their traditional cable channel. Impressed with the results, NASA has decided to not only drop cable but also give up on over-the-air broadcast NASA Television starting in August.
NASA+ is a free streaming service that offers original content, including live coverage of special events, news, and documentaries. They have also announced new programming that will be available soon, including shows about asteroid detection, planetary defense efforts, fieldwork in extreme environments, and even a coastal Floridian community’s battle with souring ocean waters.
One of the most important aspects of NASA+ is that it will be the primary source for broadcasting the missions of the Artemis program. While the return of humans to the Moon will likely be available through various channels, NASA’s streaming service could have an edge.
NASA+ is accessible on iOS and Android devices, as well as streaming media players like Roku, Apple TV, and Fire TV. This complete switch to streaming comes at a crucial time for NASA as they strive to advance their ambitious goals for space exploration. It is also part of their larger effort to reinvent their image, which began with the revamp of their main websites last year.