There are watershed moments in every startup’s life that define its history. Same goes for entire industries. In rare cases, those moments are one in the same. Today we officially announced that NBC has embraced p2p for the direct-to-viewer downloads of their primetime TV programming, becoming the first US TV network to do so. The company and technology they selected, after “a comprehensive search and intensive due diligence of available solutions” according to Steve Andrade, Senior Vice President, Digital Development and General Manager NBC.com, is Pando Networks. We could not be more thrilled and honored to take part in this historic step forward for TV.
With the new NBC Direct service, viewers will be able to download and subscribe to their favorite shows such as The Office, Heroes, Conan Obrien, etc. and have each new episode delivered automatically to their desktop in full-screen, HD quality for on and offline viewing on their laptop, PC or TV. This is TV 2.0 folks. You’re in charge.
Pando’s Media Booster engine is being integrated into the NBC Direct client to optimize the delivery of the TV programming. Our hybrid p2p-cdn delivery economics make it not only possible, but profitable to distribute huge HD video files monetized with only a few ads. That means free, primetime HD TV for viewers with limited advertising — a huge win for viewers and content providers alike.
We tip our hats to our friends at NBC for continuing their impressive tradition of new media innovation and leadership. Onward and upward. Read on.