GridNetworks, a leading developer of streaming media technology and services, today announced that GW Channel, the premier online destination for award-winning gamer films, has launched the Internet's first online TV channel for gamers using GridNetworks' GridCast streaming video delivery service. Gamers from around the world can now visit gwchannel.tv to instantly view such popular gaming films as ClanWars and Militia 2 in full-screen, DVD and HD-quality video. By the end of 2006, GW Channel members also will be able to upload and distribute their own DVD and HD video files on GW Channel.

Viewers get frustrated when high-quality video is available on the web, but the viewing experience remains low-quality. GW Channel (formerly known as GW Films) began producing original programming exclusively for the Internet in 2002 to promote specific video games and related products. With a team of professional filmmakers, a growing library of compelling content and a loyal fan base, GW Channel provided downloads of its films for several years through third-party video distributors. To date, more than five million viewers have downloaded GW Channel's content in dozens of languages.

According to GW Channel founder Daniel Frome, this distribution model had significant challenges. GW Channel's viewers suffered through long and unpredictable downloads of feature-length films, and when video on demand (VOD) was made available, the viewing experience included constant re-buffering and small picture size.

"Just a couple of years ago, our viewers were satisfied watching video in small squares on their computer screens and or waiting hours for a download, but that's no longer the case," said Daniel Frome, founder of GW Channel. "Viewers get frustrated when high-quality video is available on the web, but the viewing experience remains low-quality."

To deliver a high-quality viewing experience that complemented GW Channel's award-winning films, GW Channel selected the GridNetworks GridCast Platform as the backbone of its new Internet TV channel. GridNetworks uses an entirely new content delivery approach that streams or downloads full-screen, DVD and HD quality video to broadband-connected users worldwide.

In addition to dramatically improving the quality of video delivery, GridNetworks' streaming video services offer digital media companies an efficient and cost-effective way to deliver high-quality video and feature-length films over the web. Jeff Payne, CEO of GridNetworks, estimates that the cost of GridCasting full-screen, instant-on, DVD quality video is about half as much as traditional content delivery networks.

"With GridCasting, the viewer experience is dramatically improved and the video delivery costs are significantly reduced," Payne said.

According to Frome, the GridCast Service allowed GW Films to easily establish its video distribution site and bypass the middleman.

"In 2005, GW's ClanWars had over 100,000 downloads in the first 48 hours after release, but the company that distributed the film for us retained most of the advertising and subscription revenues," Frome said. "By cutting out the middle man and contracting with GridNetworks, GW Channel can stream its own films and directly collect advertising and subscription revenues. We also get to brand GW Channel, not a third party, as the premier online destination for gamer films and programming."

GridNetworks offers content owners such as GW Channel a complete video delivery solution including the ingestion, management, reporting and delivery of video assets.

By the end of 2006, GW Channel members will also be able to upload and distribute their high-definition video files via the GW Channel. While sites such as YouTube automatically compress films into small file sizes, GW Channel will allow its users to compress the files on their own and thus retain maximum definition. GW Channel will also provide opportunities for filmmakers to monetize their films.

"GridNetworks is providing the foundation for the democratization of TV - a future where thousands of web sites evolve into Internet-based media channels that deliver high-quality video to a global audience," concluded Payne.