Akamai: Inauguration sets video-streaming record
President Barack Obama's inauguration didn't set all-time Internet traffic records but did mark the most simultaneous streaming-video viewers in the Web's history, according to content delivery network Akamai Technologies.
About 7.7 million video streams, primarily live, were being viewed at peak time Tuesday, which was at about 12:15 p.m. EST, Akamai said. Part of the reason, the company rationalizes, is that the inauguration ceremony happened when most Americans were at the office, and hence more likely to be watching via a computer screen rather than a television.
"In addition to the historic nature of the inauguration, it is now clear that this event has driven unprecedented demand from a global online audience," Robert Hughes, Akamai's executive vice president of global sales and marketing, said in a release. "With the inauguration occurring during workday hours in the U.S., we witnessed record numbers of live streams served in support of many leading news businesses."
Video from the inauguration ceremony and surrounding events was streamed all over the Web, from online video hubs like Hulu to streaming sites like Ustream to the sites of major news outlets. Demand was unprecedented: CNN.com, one of the most popular viewing destinations, had to cut off viewers and establish a wait list.
Caroline McCarthy, a CNET News staff writer, is a downtown Manhattanite happily addicted to social-media tools and restaurant blogs. Her pre-CNET resume includes interning at an IT security firm and brewing cappuccinos. E-mail Caroline. 
I tried using the internet to watch the inaguration, much like SuttoXXX did, and ended up with a failure to broadcast. Though it might seem like internet is doing a better job at TV than TV, just look at Hulu, but for that reason alone; the inability to broadcast at peak times - internet will not always be a perfect substitute for television. Though I am sure my idea will one day be implemented with new technologies.
- by ChrisInAStrangeLand July 28, 2009 8:24 PM PDT
- "True; how should CNN.com be able to supply the huge bandwidth for such once-in-a-lifetime event?"
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(3 Comments)Same way anyone else does it, use a CDN like Limelight or Akamai to host your content. CNN seems to think they can do it cheaper themselves than using professionals, but for big events like these their crappy little cluster falls over.