Answers to the questions viewers and uploaders ask us most about ticketed live streaming on Lipatazama. Jump to
viewers or
uploaders.
For viewers
How watching a ticketed live stream on Lipatazama, Kenya’s pay-per-view live streaming platform, works: what each message means, how M-Pesa ticket payments work, and what to do about a problem.
Why is the live stream a few seconds behind?
Live video on Lipatazama is normally a few seconds behind real time, and that is deliberate. The picture travels from the broadcaster’s camera to our servers and then out to your device, and we hold back about 5–10 seconds so your player has enough saved up to keep playing without freezing. It works like the slight delay on a television news broadcast: even TV “live” shows usually run 10–20 seconds behind. On a ticketed live stream, how far behind you are depends mainly on the broadcaster’s connection, not on yours, and the delay is not a sign that anything is broken.
Why does my stream sometimes buffer or pause?
Live video needs a steady, good-speed connection, so a dip in your network makes the player pause while it refills its buffer. It then resumes and catches up to the live edge on its own. Moving closer to your Wi-Fi, switching to a stronger network, or choosing Smooth on the Lipatazama player usually stops it.
What does “Paused by the uploader” mean?
It means the broadcaster has deliberately paused the stream — nothing is broken and nothing is wrong with your connection. The uploader can pause and resume as often as they like during the session they have paid for, and your player stays ready the whole time. On Lipatazama the pause screen shows our logo in place of the video, and the live picture comes back by itself the moment the uploader resumes.
What does “Waiting for video” mean?
It means the broadcast has started but the video has not reached Lipatazama yet. That is normal in the first moments of a stream, or just after the broadcaster’s connection drops briefly. There is nothing for you to do: the video starts playing on its own as soon as it arrives.
Will I miss anything if the uploader pauses?
No. Your Lipatazama ticket stays valid for the whole broadcast, so a pause never makes you miss the event or lose your ticket. A pause only stops the video being sent to you while it lasts, and the broadcast carries on when the uploader resumes.
Can I still buy a ticket while the uploader has paused?
Yes. A pause only stops the video being sent to viewers, so tickets stay on sale on Lipatazama while the broadcast is paused, and the ticket you buy is good for the moment the uploader resumes. Your seat is reserved as soon as the M-Pesa payment completes.
How do tickets work?
Some streams on Lipatazama are free and others are pay-per-view, sold as tickets. You buy a ticket before or during the event and it unlocks the stream for you; tickets are locked to your account, so you can watch on any device as long as you are logged in. Payment is by M-Pesa, so you can buy a ticket from anywhere in Kenya.
Can I get a refund if I miss the stream?
Ticket sales are final, and refunds are at the uploader’s discretion. If a stream failed because of a technical problem on Lipatazama’s side, contact support and we will review it.
For uploaders
Broadcasting on Lipatazama: what Pause and Resume do, what the session clock means, how to set up OBS, and how you get paid for a ticketed live stream.
What happens when I press Pause Broadcast?
Viewers stop seeing your broadcast, and nothing else changes. Your encoder keeps publishing, your connection to Lipatazama stays up, the countdown keeps running and your own Studio preview keeps working — so you can adjust your setup or step away while your audience waits. Press Resume Broadcast to let viewers back in.
Does my encoder stop when I pause?
No. You have paid for the whole session, so your encoder keeps sending to Lipatazama for as long as the session runs. Pause decides whether viewers can watch, not whether you are streaming. It also means resuming is instant for them, because there is no reconnection to wait for.
Can I see exactly what my viewers are seeing?
Yes. Open your own stream page — the same page your audience uses — and you will see what they see, with one difference: a small “Uploader Preview Mode” bar reminds you that you are the broadcaster. That includes the pause screen, where the Lipatazama logo takes the place of the video, so you can check at any time that nothing of your broadcast is on show to viewers while it is paused. Your preview of the feed itself is a separate thing that lives in your Studio and your streaming app, and it keeps running while you are paused.
My Studio says “Waiting for video” — what does that mean?
It means Lipatazama has not received any video from your encoder yet. Start the stream in OBS, Larix or your browser as you normally would, and the notice clears by itself the moment your feed arrives — there is no button to press and no need to reload the page.
Does pausing stop the clock on my booked time?
No. The countdown follows the session you booked with Lipatazama, not the time you spend unpaused, so pausing does not extend your session. Pause when you need to, but your broadcast still ends at its original time.
How does my broadcast end?
In two ways: you press End Broadcast, or your booked time runs out. When the booked time is up Lipatazama closes the session and disconnects your encoder so the slot is free for the next uploader, and pausing does not extend it. You can start a new session whenever you are ready.
What do I need to go live as an uploader?
A camera (even a phone), a computer or phone with a stable internet connection, and a streaming app such as OBS Studio (free). The exact settings are explained in the Lipatazama OBS guide, and most streams must be ticketed at a small linked checkout fee.
What happens if many people are watching at once?
Lipatazama caps the number of simultaneous broadcasts and concurrent viewers so that quality stays reliable for everyone. If we are at peak capacity you will see a friendly message — try again in a few minutes.
How do I get paid as an uploader?
Ticket revenue is collected securely on our behalf. Your earnings, after the Lipatazama platform fee, build up in your creator account, and you can request a payout by M-Pesa once you pass the minimum payout amount.
Still stuck? Contact support and we'll get back to you.
