Akamai Helps Maria Menounos's AfterBuzz TV Operate Online Broadcast Network for TV 'Superfans'

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Sept. 17, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Akamai Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: AKAM), the leading cloud platform for helping enterprises provide secure, high-performing user experiences on any device, anywhere, today announced that AfterBuzz TV, a producer of live and recorded "aftershow" webcast and podcast content for TV series of all kinds, is using Akamai Sola Media Solutions to reach a broader multi-screen audience. Coinciding with the launch of its new AfterBuzzTV.com website, the network is now leveraging Akamai to deliver all of its live online video programming to iOS and Android smartphones and tablets as well as personal computers.

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The brainchild of television personality and host of Extra, Maria Menounos, and filmmaker Keven Undergaro, AfterBuzz TV is using Akamai's Sola Sphere cloud media delivery and storage platform to stream and offer podcasts of more than 55 programs per week. The aftershows are live "postgame" wrap-ups of some of the most popular series on television, which take place shortly after the newest episodes air. Each aftershow includes a studio host and panel of expert fans and insiders who discuss and offer insights around the latest episodes of programs such as "Breaking Bad," "Mad Men," "WWE Monday Night RAW," "American Idol" and "Survivor" among many others. Joining the panel of hosts, celebrities, either from the show or simply fans themselves, sit in as guests on the discussion as well.

"Akamai is helping AfterBuzz TV build and deliver an innovative programming model that otherwise wouldn't be feasible by giving us the ability to efficiently reach connected audiences with live, high-quality content," said Maria Menounos, co-founder, AfterBuzz TV. "Our aftershows attract passionate, highly engaged 'superfans' that want to extend the experience of their favorite shows and talk about the episodes beyond the regular viewing window. The Akamai platform enables us to grow the communities around our programs by allowing viewers to watch and engage on nearly any connected device they choose."

AfterBuzz TV also drives significant traffic to its podcasts, which are made available for download shortly following each aftershow. "Working with Akamai, we've been able to dramatically accelerate the download speeds for our podcasts," said Keven Undergaro, co-founder, AfterBuzz TV.

"We've observed a sizable uptick in number of downloads as well as positive viewer response since we began delivering the AfterBuzz TV podcasts using Akamai," added Phil Svitek, executive producer, AfterBuzz TV.

Already producing an aggressive slate of 55 shows per week with over 20 million weekly downloads from 75 countries, AfterBuzz TV is just getting started. The network aims to add approximately 30 more aftershows to its program schedule and eventually introduce video-on-demand capabilities to its website, allowing dedicated viewers to truly enjoy anytime, anywhere access to its content.

"AfterBuzz TV is showing how Akamai's Sola Media Solutions can help content owners innovate with new business and programming models that combine compelling content with the reach and scale of our Intelligent Platform," said Kurt Michel, director of product marketing for Akamai's Sola Media Solutions. "Sola allows AfterBuzz TV to engage its viewers across connected devices, giving them the ability to deliver their content wherever their viewers expect and want it."

Supported by the Akamai Intelligent Platform, Sola Media Solutions enable economic online distribution of content to the broadest possible array of devices, delivering rich, high-definition quality video to any device at broadcast-size audiences.

About AfterBuzz TV
The AfterBuzz TV Network is an online broadcast network, created by Extra host Maria Menounos and filmmaker Keven Undergaro, designated to producing live and recorded "after-show" webcast and podcast content for TV series of all kinds. A veritable "post-game" show for television shows, when TV fans finish watching episodes from select series, they can go to AfterBuzzTV.com to watch or listen to, an after-show where hosts, an eclectic and knowledgeable mix of celebrities, personalities and industry professionals, break down that night's episode, take calls from fans and interview guests. The platform currently receives over 20 million weekly downloads from over 75 countries.

About Akamai
Akamai^® is the leading cloud platform for helping enterprises provide secure, high-performing user experiences on any device, anywhere. At the core of the Company's solutions is the Akamai Intelligent Platform™ providing extensive reach, coupled with unmatched reliability, security, visibility and expertise. Akamai removes the complexities of connecting the increasingly mobile world, supporting 24/7 consumer demand, and enabling enterprises to securely leverage the cloud. To learn more about how Akamai is accelerating the pace of innovation in a hyperconnected world, please visit www.akamai.com or blogs.akamai.com, and follow @Akamai on Twitter.

SOURCE Akamai Technologies, Inc.