BitTorrent makes major livestreaming play
BitTorrent wants to be known primarily for its technology and its capabilities, and not for illegal file sharing – what its platform is currently used for (to a large extent).
Today, the company announced the launch of BitTorrent Live, focusing its attention and resources on making live video streaming better.
Lag issues have been of concern for services like Netflix and Hulu for some time now, but their content is for the most part pre-recorded, making the problem more manageable. Live video is a different beast, and as Facebook and Twitter take their live products to the next level, lag issues – and how they deal with them- will be front and center.
BitTorrent Live, powered by its “proptietary and parented peer-to-peer live streaming protocol,” is trying to solve for that, enabling “large audiences to view live video with sub 10-second latency and without the need for an expensive CDN or pre-provisioning.”
At launch, a free tier of programming from linear channels with live events will be available on BitTorrent Live, including:
AWE: Formerly known as WealthTV, AWE is a 24/7 network devoted to taking viewers on a journey of how wealth is achieved, used and enjoyed.
Clubbing TV: The official media partner of some of the planet’s biggest electro festivals, Clubbing TV offers exclusive, quality electronic music content from artists and labels all around the globe embracing the entire the Dance Music lifestyle.
FAST&FUN is a new Television Channel offering an action-packed, adrenaline-including medley of extreme sports, from car racing and motocross to snowboarding and skateboarding; a large variety of disciplines, shows and competitions from all over the world.
Fightbox: From MMA and boxing to arm wrestling and sumo, Fightbox is a compilation of the finest combat sports from around the globe all on one channel.
Filmbox Arthouse: Every month FilmBox Arthouse also airs special presentations devoted to a particular creative movement (German Expressionism, New Romanian Cinema) or individual filmmakers (The Surreal Art of Salvador Dali, Rossellini’s War Trilogy, etc.)
Heroes TV: Delivers what action, adventure fanatics want. Heroes TV targets audiences with Multiple programming categories to offer the most comprehensive action, adventure line up on TV.
Newsmax: Newsmax TV provides the latest news, expert views and live programming from your favorite TV hosts and A-list guests. (conservative programming)
NUsicTV: Delivers the finest new independent artists at the forefront of music in a linear broadcast, allowing viewers to discover the vanguard in music without having to search the internet.
OANN: Features political analysis programming and political talk shows, along with network special documentary-style reports; its news coverage attempts to maintain objectivity while its political shows illustrate a stronger conservative lean.
One World Sports: It features exclusive, live, world-class sporting events and premier matchups from around the world, with over 3,000 hours of unduplicated sports programming annually. Content focus is on live and same-day action of league, championship and qualification competitions in soccer, basketball, baseball, golf, table tennis, badminton, darts, and more.
OpenNews TV: OpenNews TV brings you live video talk shows from the best progressive talk radio personalities.
Pursuit Channel: Pursuit Channel is a television network that airs programming geared to hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation.
TWiT: The TWiT.tv Netcast Network with Leo Laporte features the #1 ranked technology podcast This Week in Tech, along with over 20 other top-ranked online shows.