- Address: New York NY
- Country: US
- Email: newyork@joost.com
- Blog: http://joost.com/blog/
- Founded: October 2006
Overview
As their third major undertaking, Skype and Kazaa founders Janus Friis and Niklas Zennstrom are attempting to perfect IPTV with Joost. Joost is a p2p on demand video player that offers professional (legal) programming much like on your television, but whenever you want. The service is free, however, there are video advertisements interspersed between and during programs as well as small type or image ads on the sides of your screen.
With very heavy backing from media giants CBS and Viacom, Joost looks good to take on competitors Bablegum and Microsoft LiveStation. Currently Joost has content deals with CNN, the NHL and Sony as well as their financiers CBS and Viacom (MTV, Comedy Central etc). They have also recently developed a new Widget API open to third parties to make their own Joost widgets.
Unlike many online video platforms, joost does require a download and cannot play video directly from users' browsers. joost offers a desktop client that allows the user to watch on-demand TV over the internet. In addition, Joost enhances the TV experience by offering interactive tools. For example, users will be able to chat with friends while watching a show. The channels will also have interactive displays where users can discover behind-the-scene content.
Joost's peer-to-peer technology also lowers the cost of channel owners by reducing the amount of data the servers must stream out. joost only serves some selected users, while the rest of the data is distributed from user to user.
Rumor has it that Joost is in talks with hardware manufacturers to embed its platform into TV set-top boxes. If the move were successful it could change the TV industry substantially.
Joost is now fully public and open to all.
Products
People
| Niklas Zennström | Co-founder |
| Janus Friis | Co-founder |
| Dirk-Willem van Gulik | CTO |
| Mike Volpi | CEO |
Funding
| Date | Round | Size | Investors |
| March 06 | Series A | $45.00M |
CBS Index Ventures Li Ka Shing Foundation Sequoia Capital Viacom |
Tags
User Reviews
- PaulJanuary 16, 2008 at 6:48am
I think the key to Joost is allowing 3rd parties to leverage their work. I wish they would open up their interfaces and have the users move it forward. Joosts core is peer to peer technology, leave the rest up to the users. For example spinoffs like JoostList.com should be popping up everywhere. http://www.joostlist.com
- johnOctober 20, 2007 at 10:31am
Yes, i read on the orangekite.com website a few weeks ago, that the founders are planning to sell digital t.v. boxes , well mostly for internet for better access.
- NVDROctober 20, 2007 at 6:38am
I am interested to know about Josst's revenues since its start.. and as well its subscriber base/ unique users. How and where can i know this info about joost?
- MarcelOctober 16, 2007 at 10:27am
No Joost had not launched an IPO - Initial Public Offering. So you cannot buy its stocks.
- MarcelOctober 16, 2007 at 10:26am
No Joost had not launched an IPO - Initial Public Offering. So you cannot buy its stocks.
- Cheryl DiNardoSeptember 14, 2007 at 6:38pm
Is this a public company, if so can I buy stock in it???
- MaximusSeptember 1, 2007 at 10:15pm
Can someone help me with an invite? Or at least point me in a direction of one.
- CindyPinkieAugust 27, 2007 at 12:13pm
Will someone please send me an INVITE to join JOOST? Pinkie@surfside.net
- cynthiaAugust 4, 2007 at 8:37am
Im interested in experience Joost but as far as I know I have to receive an invitation to try it, since I dont have any friend signed already would someone nice and charm can send me one?? please please! my email: corjeda@gmail.com. Thanks in advance!!!
- JoostListJuly 10, 2007 at 10:54am
I've used joost simce it started in beta as the "Venice Project" last year. Its gotten alot better. Recently with the user base growing and the number of shows doubling almost weekly I think its the most amazing application to hit the internet in a while. I definately recommend trying Joost. They have some awesome shows now, alot of MTV, VH1, and Comedy Central. Plus I love the national Geographic pages. I give Joost two thumbs up.
TechCrunch Posts
Techmeme Citations
Technorati Results
Joost has subtitles now! :) Check http://www.subjoost.com/