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It's the next big thing from the makers of peer-to-peer services Skype and KaZaA, but an internet TV service is taking a more conventional path to market than its predecessors, securing the backing of major media organisations before it even gets off the ground.
The Joost service is being trialled by thousands of users around the world and allows them free access to high-quality video streams through a simple, easy to use interface.
There isn't a huge amount of content yet on Joost, which efficiently distributes the video around the web using the peer to peer networking underlying the Skype internet telephony service. But Joost has signed content deals with several major US TV networks. Last week it partnered with talent agency Creative Artists Agency, suggesting it plans to recruit talent for shows screening specifically on Joost. In effect, it will become its own fully fledged web TV station.
Joost has just released an updated version of its software, which features numerous improvements and will eventually be opened up to general public release. The business model will be supported by advertising, although Joost has committed to showing far less advertising than regular free-to-air TV broadcasters.
ON THE WEB: www.joost.com
