Score one for online streaming monetization: Ustream has launched the ability to integrate a ticket box office into online broadcasts of music and other live events.

The Open Pay-Per-View (Open PPV) platform gives Ustream's (News - Alert) 12 million broadcasters the ability to schedule a pay-per-view event, set the price and begin promotions through social media. The functionality supports a range of content styles, from a high-end, multi-camera HD production to a last-minute mobile broadcast.

"Until now, the multi-billion dollar pay-per-view industry has been a big-boys-only game,” said Ustream CEO Brad Hunstable. “Ustream's Open PPV service blows open the pay-per-view market for broadcasters of any size and skill set to become the next Oscar De La Hoya, who's generated hundreds of millions of dollars in pay-per-view tickets.”

Broadcasters utilizing Ustream's Open PPV can do so with no upfront fees, and ticket sales are deposited directly into their PayPal (News - Alert) accounts, the company added.

"The monetization possibilities are limitless, as Ustreamers can now transform their live social video streams – from large-scale concerts to global sporting events, industry conferences or educational seminars – into profitable events," Hunstable said.

More than 4,500 pay-per-view events have been streamed live via Ustream during the course of the beta rollout, the company noted, and some of the most successful pay-per-view events on Ustream have generated upwards of $70,000 for a single event and $300,000 for a season-long series of events.

Notable PPV airings include: the Bridge School Benefit Concert; King of the Dot presents Blackout 3; Six Nations Rugby individual games; UFC's Silva vs. Sonnen II; Insane Clown Posse's Psychopathic Live; and the USA vs. Guatemala World Cup qualifier.

"Our goals were to find a partner who could provide a stable and secure platform to not only stream our event but also provide secure mechanisms to collect payments," said William Mitchell, video producer for the Bridge School Benefit Concert. "Setting up and implementing was easy and seamless; Ustream provided rock solid support during our benefit concert which is an eight-hour plus continuous broadcast."

Open PPV events on Ustream can be purchased with all major credit cards and watched from around the world on Ustream.tv.