With theaters closed and mass gatherings prevented by the global coronavirus pandemic, Broadway is finding new ways to reach its audience and is doing so with the launch of a streaming service this May.

The Hollywood Reporter says that Broadway on Demand, a membership-based streaming service, will launch with a benefit concert streamed live from the Hollywood Bourbon Room. Titled “30 Days of Opening Nights,” the concert will raise funds for theater personnel, composers, musicians, playwrights, and entertainers affected by COVID-19.

Deadline says the Broadway on Demand streaming service will have educational resources, interactive platforms, and live-streamed events. More than a hundred archived shows are expected to be part of the service, as well as video lessons from respected theater instructors.

In a statement, Broadway on Demand’s president-CEO Sean Cercone said the platform aims to break down “geographical and economic barriers” so that everyone in the world can experience a Broadway show.

Launching the service during the coronavirus pandemic is a logical choice, as the lockdowns brought about by the pandemic has become a boon for streaming services like Netflix. Last Wednesday, Netflix stock rose by four percent to $413.55 since it has become essential entertainment for people unable to go out of their homes.

But while streaming is booming, the same cannot be said for other sectors of the entertainment industry. Last March, the North American box office suffered a $600 million deficit because of closed moviehouses. A $5 billion loss is also expected for the global film industry.

The economic effects are dire enough that even huge companies like Disney have been forced to institute pay cuts for their executives. Vice presidents, senior vice presidents, and executive vice presidents were all told via email that they would get 20 to 30 percent cuts to their base salaries. Vice presidents will get a 20 percent pay cut, while senior vice presidents get a 25 percent pay cut. The salary of an executive vice president will be cut by 30 percent.

Even with the launch still a couple of weeks away, it looks like people will still be under lockdown as the number of confirmed coronavirus infections continues to rise. The situation report for Apr. 16 that the World Health Organization has released puts the number of confirmed coronavirus infections around at 1,991,562 people, with new cases amounting to 76,647. Deaths caused by COVID-19 around the world are now at 130,885.

Meanwhile, the Apr. 16 update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that there are 632,548 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the United States. Fatalities caused by the coronavirus are now at 31,071 people.