BitTorrent Inc. Introduces Ad-Supported Downloads

Written by Ernesto on April 02, 2007 

BitTorrent Inc. is experimenting with alternatives to paid downloads on their Entertainment Network, and is now experimenting with advertising supported downloads. Instead of paying for a download, BitTorrent’s customers now see ads before and after watching an episode.

bittorrent incThe ad-supported model is currently being tested on episodes by the video gamers network G4, but is likely to be tested on episodes from other publishers in the future.

The video ads are short video clips delivered by YuMe Networks, a company that is specialized in IP based video ads. YuMe CEO Jayant Kadambi said that the company expects to deliver more user targeted video ads as soon as BitTorrent Inc. signs more deals with publishers that want to experiment with ad-supported downloads.

Two weeks ago BitTorrent Inc. announced that it will launch an ad-supported TV-network by the end of this year. This advertising supported TV-model is likely to be supported by YuMe Networks as well.

DRM-free and ad supported downloads are the future, and one of the only business models that will be able to compete with pirated content. It’s good to see that BitTorrent Inc. is realizing this, they are moving in the right direction.

Previously: Global War on Piracy Launched, PirateBay Gets Nukes

Next: MPAA’s Anti-Piracy Dogs, Great Publicity but Nothing Special

23 Responses

1 Apr 02, 2007 at 10:15 by Rob

Yay, that’s the future!

2 Apr 02, 2007 at 13:11 by Ooza

That, I believe, is the only solution to counter “piracy”. Nothing else would work. I don’t know but maybe they should do that for movies too, because in a couple of years, home theaters will be the norm.

3 Apr 03, 2007 at 05:55 by PhoenixP3K

How are these shows (G4) different from what is already available on their website via the podcast feed? Over there it’s free, but you do wait a few days before they convert the video.

Ad-supported content is a great initiative. I support it!

4 Apr 03, 2007 at 09:30 by Bazer

Congratulations to them!
I wish TV stations could learn from them. It would be great not to pay for TV. Wait a minute…

5 Apr 03, 2007 at 10:18 by Best Desi

wow thats nice atleast we can have faster torrents now ( not that it is slow already) ..maybe have a official torrent site now? where we dont need to protect ourselfs with adware infected torrent sites?

6 Apr 03, 2007 at 11:14 by Isaac

SellaBand uses a ‘DRM-free and ad supported downloads’ business model for their music. You can read how it works here (steps 6-7): http://www.sellaband.com/site/how-it-works.html

That together with their crowdfunding business model to fund the recording will be the future I think, or at least will play a big role in it.

7 Apr 03, 2007 at 21:28 by Andy

Wow,

I think bittorrent is preatty cool.

Also, a bit off topic here, but i love your website. I think it has a really nice design.

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11 Jan 11, 2008 at 20:16 by Google

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Hitchhiker Nation

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