TVU Networks is controversial. Its TVUPlayer (click here to download the free software) enables people to stream live TV broadcasts to one another via the Internet. It receives high praise for creating a Web-based television experience that more closely resembles traditional viewing.

It does work instantly and with no training or hassles. But, as with so many new ideas, there are plenty of questions about legality.

In an interview with CNET, Paul Shen, the CEO, said that "the TVUPlayer is nothing more than a way to demonstrate his technology, which he claims can help broadcasters mine a rich new distribution platform and advertise to new customers." Ah, and do you remember that big horse that showed up as a gift outside Troy?

He acknowledged that much of the content on the TVUPlayer belongs to others but denied being a video pirate. Users of his technology are responsible for any copyright violations, Shen said, and they are the ones who stream the TV broadcasts--though he conceded that they are able do this only through the use of his technology.

While I find his Napster-like logic ('Hey, if I attract enough users, the media companies will have to deal with me') short-sided, he does have one point that does make sense.



The Internet is not a television medium; it's really a 4th distribution mechanism. The first three are broadcast, cable, and satellite. And media companies aren't putting video up on the Web because they like it; they are experimenting with ways to control their content and not be beholden to a distributor like Comcast, for example.

One of the main ideas here is that broadcasting costs suddenly become exponentially lower than those of today's streaming technology. So, any technology that upgrades the Internet into a more traditional viewing experience without loosing control by the media company should be looked into.

Here is a video interview with Paul Shen >>>