A Watch-Only PeerTube instance would:
Allow users to create accounts, subscribe, like, comment, make playlists, and follow channels.
Not allow local video uploads or creators (no hosting load on the server).
Instead, it would simply fetch and display videos hosted across the wider PeerTube federation.
This would effectively create a “viewing portal” into PeerTube, without the cost and complexity of maintaining video storage.
Why this matters
Lower hosting barrier: An instance like this would cost far less to operate (no need to handle uploads and storage).
Accessibility for non-technical users: People who just want to watch and explore PeerTube without understanding federation or instance selection could have an easy entry point.
Appeal to older or casual users: A single, simple, “official-looking” watch-only portal would help people who might find the federated model confusing.
Good for outreach and discovery: Similar to how Mastodon has mastodon.social or Lemmy has lemmy.world, PeerTube could have a recognizable “main” watch-only instance—maybe something like peertube.video.
Potential benefits
Easier onboarding: people just sign up and start watching.
A familiar alternative for those coming from YouTube, where uploading isn’t the main goal.
Could help spread awareness of PeerTube by being a more “mainstream-ready” entry point
I am running a Peertube instance since like less then a few weeks (systemofchips.net). I am still ironing out some crinkles, and actually plan to run it as a personal instance for the foreseeable future. However, if I ever intend to “open up” a bit more I possibly would allow “viewer accounts” as a first step.