Welcome!

[onmywayto]

I work for a non-profit who is streaming live online video for their events. Up until this point, they have not required an account to view their streaming content. Soon there will be a login requirement to view already free online content.

Questions:
If you are asked to login for viewing online video, do you exit the page immediately or are you prone to registering an account?

If you are interested in registering an account, do you have a higher expectation of the video quality that you are seeing?

Do you feel asking for such requirements is damaging to a social appeal (social networking, viral marketing)?

Thank you for your time and opinions.

[jock]

I would immediately exit. If I really wanted to watch It I would possibly consider logging in if I could log in with OpenID, facebook, Yahoo, Google account.

[Andy]

What jock said.

[Parallax]

For what reason or purpose do they want to add a barrier between the user and the video?

[onmywayto]

@Parallax. Good question. They are trying to find ways to track their users in a fashion that allows for more future donation integration.
Scenario: If the user is logged into the video area, we can thank them for their recent donation, or inquire about them making a first time or future donation.

@jock. The OpenID is a good idea.

@Andy. Thanks for the shared opinion.

[Parallax]

That's not such a bad reason, but it's still important to give the user choice. Perhaps you can convince them to make the sign in optional, and make it an unobtrusive element, rather than a wall.