Skype will launch Web TV
The expansion of Skype continues: Skype founders are close to launching a global broadband television service offering “the best of the internet with the best of TV”. Janus Friis and Niklas Zennström said the service, codenamed The Venice Project, will offer “near high definition programmes” which users can personalise or discuss with others. Unlike other video-on-demand websites like YouTube, the Venice Project will offer channels and “high-quality and full-screen video”, Friis told the Financial Times.
He said that the peer-to-peer technology used in the service would make it possible to serve “tens of millions of users”. A source close to Warner Music confirmed that it was using the service to create channels for some of its artists, including Paris Hilton. The service is expected to launch next year. It has reportedly attracted a few big-name channels, but the company would not dislose its partners. For users to access Skype’s IPTV service they will be required to download the software, giving them access to a menu screen which can open programmes, fast forward, rewind, and pause. Sharing and commentary services will also feature as part of the new service. I feel this could reach a nice portion of popularity…
Comments(5)
skype is a great software but im not using it cause here in greece not many people use it
and my fam in holland, i just call them by phone
i guess with the growing implementation of IPv6 and multicasting, casting video streams across many lines isnt as painful as it once used to be.
nice advancement for skype, but then again people already do watch “internet tv” by downloading individual episodes.
now it would kame it so much easier to rip episodes if they are alreaady compacked into a nice streaming format
i think something like a YouTube but offering major programs like current television is what every one really wants.
it would benefit both the networks and the consumers without destroying the current status of things.
take CSI, which airs Thursday at 9pm. so let’s say it airs normally, with commercials, via regular television, but, also becomes available, maybe a day later, for watching over streaming internet channels. that way, people could watch it when they wanted to. i actually do miss some commercials, because they do inform us of what new stuff is coming up, some are really entertaining, and such. but i want to watch it when i want to, without having to pay some lame TiVo service or buy expensive extra equipment. i got a computer, i got broadband, i got a television. that’s all i should need.
so once they can provide that, i’m more than happy to watch commercials, but i want my tv when i’m ready to watch it. i work weird hours, or might be busy. the current way tv is run is so outdated. and charging extra is lame, that’s what commercials are for. maybe they can offer a pay service for commercial free shows, but let me watch my shows when i want to. Torrents allow me to do that. watch shows when i want. same with movies, watch movies, when i want, without having to go to the store, wait for the mail, or pay some outrageous extra cable/satellite fees.
Sounds like the end of the british licence
bah, who gonna pay for this? :/