Joost, which bills itself
as the world's first broadcast-quality Internet television service, launched
commercially this week. Though the service is still officially in beta, some of
the company’s advertising partners (which include household names like Coca-Cola, HP, Intel and Nike) have already begun showing their ads and the rest will begin later
in the month. In addition, Joost beta testers can now send an unlimited number
of invitations to friends, family and colleagues. Both new and existing users
can download a new version of Joost.
A peer-to-peer, ad-supported service founded by Skype and Kazaa founders
Janus Friis and Niklas Zennström, Joost offers a TV-like experience along with
Internet-like choice and control and social networking features. It is accessed
via a broadband connection.
Previously known as The Venice Project, Joost currently offers more than 150
channels across all genres, from cartoons to sports to documentaries. The
company has signed content deals with major providers including Viacom and
Turner Broadcasting System. Copyright restrictions limit programming to
specific geographic regions; at present, the most programming is available to
viewers in the U.S.
