A typical haven for torrents, BitTorrent, the popular P2P (peer to peer) file sharing site, announced their latest project BitTorent Live yesterday at the annual Internet and Television Expo.
Inspired by their P2P protocols that the torrent service already uses, BitTorent live will offer free and paid options boasting a multichannel, live, and linear video service in hope to compete and beat Netflix, Hulu, and the like.
Starting out as the solution to the longstanding lagging problem in television streaming technology, BitTorent Live hopes to fix said lagging issues by using their proprietary and patented P2P live stream protocols by allowing large audiences become not only the viewer but also the broadcasters. It will run at a sub-10 second delay without the need for a content delivery network.
“Last year Bob Bowman (head of MLBAM) told Walt Mossberg in regards to the difficulty of large-scale live video streaming of sports, declaring, ‘Is that a business model or is that a stunt? I don’t know?’ Well, BitTorrent Live is the platform that can turn large-scale live streaming into a business model.: states Erik Schwartz, VP of Media, BitTorrent Live.
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Viewers will be able to stream the daily news from an array of sources, sports, music, tech, and youth culture. Just like it’s competitors, the service will be attractive to those of all ages.
BitTorrent’s blog lists several of the channels that will be offered to those who choose the free service such as:
- 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 show, 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.
The service appears to be mostly Apple centered with the service coming to Apple TV, iOS, and Mac. BitTorrent Live will also be available on Android devices.
