Frequently Asked Questions

Sideline is a creator-led, audio-only live streaming platform built for sports commentary. Unlike traditional radio or video platforms like Twitch, anyone can broadcast their own commentary during live matches. It's fan radio for the modern age—connecting passionate voices with listeners who want an alternative to neutral broadcasts.

Creator-led means the platform is built for independent creators, not media companies. Anyone can start broadcasting without needing a contract, equipment budget, or permission. You own your audience, set your own schedule, and keep 75% of what you earn. Sideline provides the tools; you bring the passion.

Simply create a free account, click "Go Live" or "Start Broadcasting", enter a title for your stream, and you're ready to go. You can be live in under 5 minutes with just your phone or computer.

To get started, all you need is a smartphone or computer with a microphone. For better audio quality, we recommend a basic USB microphone or lavalier mic. Check out our blog for detailed equipment guides.

Yes! Creating an account and streaming is completely free. Listeners can tune in for free as well. Monetization features are optional for creators who want to earn from their broadcasts.

You can commentate on any sport you're passionate about—football, soccer, AFL, rugby, cricket, basketball, and more. Sideline is built for all sports fans.

Absolutely! Sideline works directly in your mobile browser. Just visit the site, log in, and start streaming. No app download required.

Sideline can support thousands of concurrent listeners per stream. Our infrastructure scales automatically to handle audience growth.

Yes! Listeners can request to join your broadcast as co-hosts. You control who joins, and you can bring on guests for discussions, debates, or multi-person commentary.

Creators can earn through donations, monthly subscriptions, and our Cheers virtual currency system. Listeners can support you directly during broadcasts.

Creators keep 75% of all donations and subscriptions. This is one of the highest creator payouts in the industry.

Cheers are our virtual currency that listeners can purchase and spend during streams. When spent, they can trigger text-to-speech messages that play during your broadcast, creating fun interactions with your audience.

Payouts are processed regularly through Stripe Connect. Once you set up your payout account, earnings are transferred automatically when you reach the minimum threshold.

Browse live streams on our homepage or Listen page. You can filter by sport, search for specific teams, or discover new commentators in our directory.

Yes, listening to all public streams is completely free. Some creators may offer subscriber-only perks, but basic access is always free.

Yes! You can chat with other listeners and the broadcaster in real-time. You can also send Cheers to trigger audio alerts and text-to-speech messages.