Video delivery network Theta Labs has announced the introduction of THETA Live Embed. The turnkey product allows 24/7 THETA.tv, also known as Sliver, esports content to be added to blogs, websites, and social media platforms. All the usual esports like Fortnite and League of Legends may be embedded now. According to a press release on Gamasutra, the company has introduced G FUEL as its first official partner to integrate its product.
Theta Live Embed requires little technical effort; developers add only a few lines of JavaScript to their site. Theta developers made their product seamlessly integrate with any site’s infrastructure.
What is Theta?
Theta is an ever-evolving blockchain designed for peer-to-peer (P2P) streaming. Fundamentally, blockchain technology is the foundation of cryptocurrency. Blockchain technology allows for the distribution of digital information across networks, while not copying that data. The data is stored at multiple locations and continuously updated. In this way, Theta.tv aims to become a “decentralized video content distribution network (CDN)” that allows any user with surplus bandwidth to become distribution nodes.
Streaming platforms like Twitch and Theta heavily rely on CDNs to distribute videos to users. When a company like YouTube or Twitch absorbs the high price of managing bandwidth and nodes associated with CDNs, it cuts revenue share for their best content creators. Theta’s solution to this problem is to reward users for contributing their bandwidth and their participation in Sliver’s blockchain. Users earn a currency called “TFUEL” every minute that they watch streams on the site. Viewers spend by donating to streamers, as currency in their shop, and purchasing streamer site subscriptions.
Future of streaming
Theta’s team is aware there are several weaknesses to Sliver’s platform. For example, if there aren’t enough “miners” or users generating TFUEL, then the video quality for streams will suffer. Additionally, there are some users who may not be willing to participate in Theta’s structure in order to watch streams in their free time. Despite these concerns, Theta has an active and experienced team developing, advising, and investing in the company.
Steve Chen, co-founder of YouTube and Theta advisor, told TokenDaily: “One of our biggest challenges had been the high costs of delivering video to various parts of the world… I’m excited to be part of the next evolution of the streaming space, helping Theta create a peer-to-peer network that can offer improved video delivery at lower costs.”
