Broadband video service, Instant Media, has selected Akamai’s Media Delivery solution to support distribution of HD video over the Internet. The company, which has a library of around 550 standard- and high-definition programs, offers downloadable HD-quality, full-screen programming free of charge from such providers as NBC, The Wall Street Journal, BuyTV, and YogaTV. It claims that its service, whose advertisers include GE, Chrysler and FedEx, is based on a patent-pending caching technology that can turn any PC or laptop into a "DVR-like device": as soon as new content is available, it is "pushed’ onto the end-user’s desktop, so that it can subsequently be viewed without waiting for it to be downloaded, or deleted at the end-user’s convenience. "The majority of our content providers want to distribute their content over a distributed network, versus a peer-to-peer model due to concerns around content theft, security and privacy," Instant Media CEO, Andy Leak, said in a prepared statement. "Furthermore, we found that content delivery network pricing is cost-competitive compared to other distribution models. Since our launch three months ago, we’ve grown to more than 400,000 users, driving massive amounts of video traffic. Akamai has proven that they can handle explosive growth. By leveraging Akamai, we provide fast, safe and reliable delivery for consumers, and provide content producers with a secure cost-effective option for delivering their valuable content." According to Akamai, its platform will allow Instant Media to add new channels and content to its platforms "without the need for additional infrastructure or cost," and will provide "sophisticated reporting" on visitors and traffic patterns."
Originally Published: September 5, 2006 in [itvt] Issue 6.92 Part 1
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