Yahoo Finance to host first-ever live stream of Berkshire shareholder meeting

Yahoo Finance announced on Tuesday that it will host the first-ever live stream of Berkshire Hathaway’s (BRK.A) annual shareholders meeting on April 30. The live stream will appear exclusively on Yahoo Finance, and be viewable on desktop, tablets and mobile phones. Yahoo Finance is owned by Yahoo (YHOO).

Berkshire Chairman and CEO Warren Buffett approached Yahoo Finance Editor-in-Chief Andy Serwer in December about the opportunity to expand the reach of the popular meeting, which takes place in Omaha, Neb., and has been called the “Woodstock of Capitalism.”

With 75 million monthly users, Yahoo Finance is the highest-trafficked financial news site that caters to a broad audience in the U.S. and internationally. Approximately 40,000 Berkshire Hathaway shareholders are expected to attend the event, which until now, has been unable to reach the broader general public.

“It’s been really interesting for us at Yahoo and I think at Berkshire too as we figure this out,” says Serwer. “We’re all interested in getting the maximum audience.”

Yahoo’s success live streaming the first NFL game globally in October also piqued Buffett’s interest. That game drew 33.6 million viewers.

“Over the past 50 years, we’ve seen a tremendous increase in the interest around our shareholders meeting,” Buffett said. “Partnering with Yahoo Finance provides us with the opportunity to reach more people than ever, in key financial centers around the world, from New York to China and beyond. Yahoo Finance is a great platform to bring the energy and excitement of what happens in Omaha to an informed audience around the world.”

There are plans to broadcast the meeting in Mandarin for Chinese viewers -- either with a live translation or subtitles. The meeting will broadcast in English in places like India and Europe.

While Serwer says he is no “streamologist,” Yahoo’s expertise in handling large amounts of traffic is what set the company apart as an ideal platform for showcasing the meeting. The live stream is expected to garner a significant interest both in the U.S. and internationally.

Live coverage begins on Yahoo Finance at 10:00 am ET on Saturday with 30 minutes of on-the-ground reporting from Yahoo Finance reporters from CenturyLink Center Omaha, followed by the start of the shareholders meeting live stream at 10:30 am ET.

Viewers will get to hear Buffett and Berkshire Vice Chairman Charlie Munger in real time as they offer insights in a Q&A session with audience members, and provide business updates on Berkshire and its subsidiaries.

Yahoo Finance will serve as a guide throughout the weekend festivities, taking viewers inside the meeting and beyond, including highlights like visits to Gorat’s Steakhouse, Borsheims, the Nebraska Furniture Mart, and the carnival-like atmosphere of the exhibition hall where many of the company’s subsidiaries will have exhibits promoting their products and services. Yahoo will offer video and display advertising, as well as sponsorship opportunities alongside the live stream but will not interrupt the meeting during any points.

An exclusive on-demand replay will be available on Yahoo Finance for 30 days after the meeting. Here's the link to the live stream site where viewers can sign up for email or text reminders about the event.