iBEAM Broadcasting pioneered high fidelity video streaming via satellite, ad-enabled content, to Internet viewers. Major media and entertainment including BBC, Bloomberg, MSNBC, FOX, NFL, Golf Channel, the Academy Awards and a significant portion of Internet radio was webcast via iBEAM.
Network architecture bypassed Internet congestion, bringing broadcast quality streaming video to entertainment audiences; delivering value at a lower cost than other CDN cached distribution methods.
iBEAM, the first company to invent and deploy a network dedicated to streaming media and the "edge network" concept. At its peak, iBEAM traded at $2bil, raised 30+ million privately and 300 million via its IPO, delivered 80% of all audio streaming on the Internet, and owned all top media accounts in the US.
Among some of its amazing achievements iBEAM was:
• first to insert ads into streaming media;
• first with FCC rights and first solution to broadcasting earnings calls;
• first to deliver IP/TV streaming service via satellite;
• developed Real's G2 reflector technology;
• helped design the first layer 7 switch with Foundry Networks;
• first simulcast of TV show;
• helped invent and improve time slicing and TCP/IP utilization of satellites.
iBEAM's business relationships and large media customer partners did not survive the bubble bursting in 2001. Prior to its dissolution, iBEAM was purchased by Williams Communications.
Status: iBEAM Broadcasting has been closed; IPO / Stock: Went Public on May 21, 2000
Founder: Nils Lar: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nilslahr
