Video Sphere

Who doesn’t know Joost, the famous P2P TV Software (formerly known as The Venice Project) ? Babelgum is probably the first real competitor for Joost, but that will not help you understand what’s behind the concept of Peer To Peer TV…

Well, P2P Tv software are a new way of conceiving television, a free on-demand TV over the Internet that lets you watch whatever you want, whenever you want, as often as you want.

Let’s have a closer look at this software & the business model behind it for both, Babelgum and video publishers…

What analysts say:

Consumer expectations for the quality of video online have risen. Joost and Babelgum are interesting because they have technology to make it possibly faster and cheaper to deliver content.

With more advertising dollars moving online, there is the potential for a large industry to emerge. That’s why there is enough room for several online video sites.

A closer look on Babelgum:

Freedom of choice: The concept is to let people really choose the content they like and they want, by selecting a channel (Babel Picks, News, Trends, Music, Sport, Doc, Lifestyle, Animation, Fiction):

You can then browse programs in the category you just selected, read descriptions and search for specific tags:

Full screen: Just hit play and start enjoying right away full-screen content streamed to your monitor. It’s that simple.

Interactivity: Compared to traditional TV, Babelgum allows a lot of interaction with viewers: While you watch you can lean back and tune in or sit forward and interact. Browse and search through available programs, create your own thematic channels, organize your favorites, and rate videos.

Where to downlaod Babelgum ?

Babelgum is still technically in beta testing and requires a password. Nevertheless, you have two ways of being part of the beta testers:

1) you find someone that already installed the client and ask for an invitation. If you want to be invited, send me a mail or post a comment to this article !

2) Every day a limited number of free downloads are offered, so check you can also check regularly on the website !

If you are invited, you will receive a link with a unique token that will prove you are allowed to download the Babelgum client:

The video publisher side / Business Model:

The content on Babelgum will be free to watch but targeted advertising will be placed. Video publisher, content providers will be able to upload freely and publish at no cost their digital material through Babelgum video publishing site.

The business model is based on a system of revenue sharing that will let content publisher earn in proportion to their viewers. This means video publishers will get a 50% share of the revenue generated by the advertising placed in the context of their content.

To start, Babelgum is guaranteeing a minimum revenue of 5 USD for each 1000 unique views of a video. This minimum revenue is currently offered until the end of 2007.

Details of the revenue calculation and additional info will also be available on Babelgum video publishing site.

About the company:

Babelgum is the commercial brand for the global Internet TV network developed by Babel Networks. Founded in 2005, Babel Networks is a privately held company, founded by Silvio Scaglia, with headquarters in Ireland and offices in Italy, the UK, the US and France.

>> Read more on Babelgum Blog.