I've read a few articles now about this and it's the first time I've heard that people paid? From what I read there were friends, family and then a small number of strangers who she had interacted with regularly at the gallery while she was pregnant.

I think it's different, but cool. Not dissimilar to posting a video. I wanted to live stream my (home)birth but the home part didn't eventuate
You may be right PZ. From an article I just read the Gallery where the birth was did open so people could met the mother and 'develop rapport' and express interest at attending the birth, but seriously, how much rapport can be developed in the month before a birth. I would still consider them strangers.

Anyway heres a link to one article- HERE This article is from before the actual birth happened. will try and find an up to date one