Azureus' New Video Distribution Platform Goes Live

WebKnowHow
Monday, December 4, 2006; 02:09 AM

Azureus, the company behind the popular peer-to-peer (P2P) application for distribution of large files, today launches a new digital media platform code named Zudeo (www.zudeo.com). The service enables content providers to easily publish, showcase and distribute high resolution, long-form content, including video and games in high definition or DVD quality over the Internet, at no cost. Published content is accessible at www.zudeo.com, as well as within the Zudeo application.

Zudeo.com

Boasting more than 130 million application downloads and an online community of users spanning 100 countries, award-winning Azureus commands the largest installed base of BitTorrent users in North America and Europe.

The latest version of the application (v3.0), code named Zudeo, offers many innovative features, including content discovery through search, browsing, channels and tagging, as well as easier integration with firewalls and a completely revamped, easy-to-use interface. Additional features, including P2P streaming, will be released in the near future.

“Today, content owners and publishers can use Zudeo to freely promote and distribute their digital creations, without length or quality limitations. Furthermore, content creators and publishers can use our social networking tools to expose their content throughout the Web, including blogs and social networks,” said Gilles BianRosa, CEO, Azureus. “Zudeo enables fans to access a growing catalog of high resolution media content, and to easily share it with their friends or the world. The service is designed to offer a broad spectrum of content, spanning movies, shorts, animation, documentaries, music videos and games.”

For content providers, Zudeo serves as an alternative, low-cost distribution and marketing platform to distribute compelling, high-definition content to a global audience. Both large and small content owners can promote their works to their fan base through comprehensive discovery tools, as well as gauge market interest in specific territories. In addition, the company will unveil a series of content partnerships with leading media companies over the coming weeks and months.

Jarl Mohn, current Chairman of the Board of CNET Networks, former CEO of Liberty Digital and an Azureus Board member, adds, “Media companies are embracing digital media distribution, and Zudeo provides an effective and secure P2P platform to distribute content to their audiences.”

The company also announced a Series B financing of $12 million led by Redpoint Ventures. The round also included: Greycroft Partners, Alan Patricof’s new fund; Jarl Mohn, Chairman, CNET, and former CEO of Liberty Digital and E! Entertainment Television; and existing investor, BV Capital.

Azureus Inc. is the provider of a popular P2P application for the transfer of large files. With more than three years of technology innovation, proven robustness and more than 130 million downloads of its application, Azureus users connect with one another from more than 100 countries and 40 languages. In addition, leading companies, including Sun Microsystems, employ Azureus servers to distribute applications or other content to their customers. The Azureus client is also included in Red Hat’s Fedora Linux Operating System.