Abstract: A multiway video broadcast system may include a processor and a memory. The processor may facilitate steps of receiving a plurality of video streams from a plurality of user devices and broadcasting a first video stream of the plurality of video streams at a first quality level and the remaining video streams of the plurality of video streams at a second quality level, where the first quality level is higher than the second quality level. The steps may further include determining that a second video stream of the plurality of video streams should be broadcast at the first quality level, and in response to the determining, and irrespective of control signaling transmitted to the plurality of user devices, broadcasting the second video stream of the plurality of video streams at the first quality level and the remaining video streams of the plurality of video streams at the second quality level.

Abstract: The present disclosure comprises systems and methods for broadcasting video communications including video conferences or hosted programs by providing a capability for easily moving participants in and out of the video communications, as necessary. Video communications may be “aired” or broadcast to viewers. The present systems and methods designate at least two stages in the video communication broadcasts, including a “front” stage and a “back” stage. Users who are immediate (e.g., current) participants in the video communication broadcast are provided access to the “front” stage of the video communication broadcast. Those users who are initially “guests” (e.g., will be, but are not yet, immediate or current participants in the video communication broadcast) are provided access first to a back “stage” of the video communication broadcast. A filter imposes restrictions on the back stage to prevent any broadcast of activities that may occur in the back stage to viewers.