IStreamPlanet

IStreamPlanet was a United States live-video technology and services company founded in 2000 by Mio Babic, a former professional basketball player. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, it specialized in processing, encoding, managing, and delivering live broadcasts through internet distribution channels. Its work was primarily business-to-business: rather than operating as a consumer-facing streaming subscription service, IStreamPlanet supplied infrastructure and operational capabilities to broadcasters, sports organizations, media companies, and digital platforms. The company became associated with high-profile live sports streaming. Its documented event work included NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament coverage, Olympic broadcasts, the Super Bowl, the FIFA World Cup, and Formula One racing. Over time, IStreamPlanet supported a variety of media customers and distribution partners, including WarnerMedia, NBC Sports, Hulu, FuboTV, and Spark Sport. NBC Sports used the company in connection with Olympic streaming across multiple editions of the Games, including the 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022 Olympics. WarnerMedia was also a significant customer, including for March Madness and B/R Live programming. Turner Broadcasting acquired a majority stake in IStreamPlanet in 2015. The company subsequently operated within the broader Turner and WarnerMedia ecosystem and ultimately became part of Warner Bros. Discovery following the 2022 combination of WarnerMedia and Discovery. This ownership gave IStreamPlanet a close relationship with a major global media group and enabled its technology and personnel to support Warner-related streaming operations. In the period before its closure, IStreamPlanet changed its operating model. External companies were informed that the business would no longer serve outside customers and would instead focus on Warner Bros. Discovery's internal requirements. The company was formally shut down in 2023, with 25 employees laid off. Some of its technology platform, engineering capabilities, and operations personnel were incorporated into Warner Bros. Discovery's engineering organization working on HBO Max. IStreamPlanet therefore ended as an independent operating brand, while portions of its technical and organizational expertise continued within its former parent group.

IStreamPlanet was established in 2000 in Las Vegas by Mio Babic, a former basketball player. It developed around the emerging need to distribute live television and sports programming through the internet. Its role was to process and deliver live video rather than to operate as a conventional consumer media brand. The company provided technical infrastructure and managed services that helped rights holders, broadcasters, and online platforms take live events to digital audiences. As broadband access and online video grew, IStreamPlanet became involved in prominent sports broadcasts. Its documented event portfolio included NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament coverage, the Olympics, the Super Bowl, the FIFA World Cup, and Formula One motor racing. The company also worked with several major media and streaming organizations. Publicly acknowledged customers included WarnerMedia, NBC Sports, Hulu, FuboTV, and Spark Sport. NBC Sports used IStreamPlanet in connection with Olympic streaming for the 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022 Games. WarnerMedia engagements included March Madness streaming and B/R Live. Turner Broadcasting acquired a majority stake in IStreamPlanet in 2015. The transaction connected the company to a large media owner and gave Turner access to a specialized live-streaming technology and operations capability. After the creation of WarnerMedia and, later, Warner Bros. Discovery, IStreamPlanet operated within that broader corporate environment. Its activities increasingly aligned with the streaming needs of its parent group. In the months leading up to its closure, the company was reported to have notified external businesses that it was changing its model and would no longer support customers outside Warner Bros. Discovery. This effectively shifted IStreamPlanet from an external services provider toward an internal technology function. The company was formally shut down in 2023, and 25 employees were laid off. However, the shutdown did not eliminate all of its technical contribution: portions of the platform and members of its engineering and operations teams were transferred into Warner Bros. Discovery's engineering organization focused on HBO Max. IStreamPlanet consequently ended as a standalone company and brand, while some of its technology and personnel were retained inside its former owner.

• 2023

  The company is shut down

  [1]IStreamPlaneten.wikipedia.org

  IStreamPlanet formally ceased operations. Twenty-five employees were laid off, while portions of its technology and teams moved into Warner Bros. Discovery's HBO Max-focused engineering organization.

• 2015

  Turner Broadcasting acquires majority control

  [1]IStreamPlaneten.wikipedia.org

  Turner Broadcasting acquired a majority stake, making IStreamPlanet part of the Turner media group and later the WarnerMedia and Warner Bros. Discovery corporate lineage.

• 2000

  IStreamPlanet is founded

  [1]IStreamPlaneten.wikipedia.org

  Mio Babic founded IStreamPlanet in Las Vegas as an internet live-video processing and delivery company.

A business-to-business live streaming technology and operations provider for broadcasters, sports rights holders, media companies, and digital platforms.

• Streaming infrastructure

  Live video processing and delivery platform

  IStreamPlanet's core business involved processing live video broadcasts and delivering them over internet distribution channels. The platform supported the technical and operational requirements of large-scale events, particularly sports, and was used by broadcasters, rights holders, and digital streaming services. The available reference material does not identify a distinct public product name or a complete feature list.

• Media services

  Managed live sports streaming services

  The company provided managed support for online broadcasts of major sports properties, including Olympic Games, NCAA men's basketball tournament events, the Super Bowl, the FIFA World Cup, and Formula One racing. These services combined live-video processing, internet delivery, and operational support for media customers and distribution platforms.

• 2010Olympic digital streaming support

  International

  IStreamPlanet supported NBC Sports' internet streaming of the 2010 Olympic Games, forming part of a longer relationship that also covered later Olympic editions.

  Outcome. The company continued to be associated with NBC Sports Olympic streaming through the 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2020, and 2022 Games.

  Source
• March Madness and B/R Live streaming

  United States

  IStreamPlanet supported WarnerMedia digital coverage including NCAA March Madness programming and B/R Live.

  Outcome. The work demonstrated the company's role as an infrastructure and operations provider within WarnerMedia's digital sports portfolio.

  Source

• 2023

  Shift from external services to internal Warner Bros. Discovery supportStrategy

  Background

  Before its closure, outside companies were informed that IStreamPlanet would no longer serve external customers beyond Warner Bros. Discovery.

  Action taken

  The company changed its operating model toward internal support for Warner Bros. Discovery.

  Aftermath

  IStreamPlanet was formally shut down, while parts of its platform and engineering and operations teams were absorbed into the Warner Bros. Discovery engineering organization focused on HBO Max.

  Source

• 2015

  Turner Broadcasting takes majority ownershipM&A

  Background

  IStreamPlanet had developed specialized capabilities for large-scale live internet video and sports streaming.

  Action taken

  Turner Broadcasting acquired a majority stake in the company.

  Aftermath

  IStreamPlanet operated within Turner's corporate family and ultimately became part of the Warner Bros. Discovery structure.

  Source

1. 1IStreamPlaneten.wikipedia.org