Intercast Networks Goes into Beta with Kazam Video Service at Internet2 Universities

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 10/09/08

Intercast Networks has redesigned Kazam, its student Internet TV and video service based on the company's VideoXpress platform. Following a spring semester alpha trial at Columbia University and Purdue University, the company redesigned Kazam's interface based on student feedback and added additional content that caters to a student audience. The beta service will be available via the next-generation Internet2 network for Internet2 university members. The Ineternet2 network provides advanced IP multicast capabilities and connects 50,000 U.S. research and education institutions.

Kazam has also added ad serving, which allows the content providers to generate revenue from their offerings.

The company said in a statement that by leveraging IP multicast Kazam is able to deliver large amounts of bandwidth intense video files to a large number of students without straining campus networks.

"Kazam is one of the first large scale video services to take advantage of the inherent IP multicast capabilities of the Internet2 Network," said Rob Vietzke, executive director of network services for Internet2. "Through this beta service, university members can 'opt in' to Kazam's application to not only deliver a great service to their campuses, but also leverage the advanced features of their multicast-enabled networks. We are excited to see the future of video services unfold within the Internet2 community and support applications that will in the future, influence the way consumers make use of the Internet."

Schools at which Kazam will be available include Columbia, Northwestern University in Chicago, and Penn State in University Park, PA.