The number of Internet video streams served in 2005 was up 50 percent over 2004, to 17.95 billion, with 85 percent of these streamed at broadband rates, according to a report from market research firm AccuStream Research.
Surfers also tuned into more streaming Web radio stations, as aggregate tuning hours for 2005 were 43 percent higher than the previous year. Music was the top video category online again in 2005, accounting for 45 percent of all video streams served. In addition to traffic generated by new independent streaming video sites, like Break.com, StupidVideos.com, Roo and VideoDetective, the largest streaming video networks remained part of large portals like AOL, Yahoo and RealNetworks, AccuStream said.
"Syndication agreements between large content brands such as FoxSports and MSN Video, CBS and ABC with AOL, along with ESPN and high-speed network providers suggests streaming media is following a maturation path carved out by major broadcast, cable and satellite distribution platforms," said AccuStream research director Paul A. Palumbo.
Surfers also tuned into more streaming Web radio stations, as aggregate tuning hours for 2005 were 43 percent higher than the previous year. Music was the top video category online again in 2005, accounting for 45 percent of all video streams served. In addition to traffic generated by new independent streaming video sites, like Break.com, StupidVideos.com, Roo and VideoDetective, the largest streaming video networks remained part of large portals like AOL, Yahoo and RealNetworks, AccuStream said.
"Syndication agreements between large content brands such as FoxSports and MSN Video, CBS and ABC with AOL, along with ESPN and high-speed network providers suggests streaming media is following a maturation path carved out by major broadcast, cable and satellite distribution platforms," said AccuStream research director Paul A. Palumbo.