Lonely Planet teams with Limelight Networks

Lonely Planet, a leading source for independent travel information, has joined forces with Limelight Networks, a content delivery network (CDN) for digital media, to launch Lonelyplanet.tv into the next phase.

Since the Lonelyplanet.tv website went live in April, with six channels and more than 75 videos, it has grown to include more than 1,600 videos. This rapid increase in programming demanded a CDN which could accommodate its growth. Enter Limelight Networks. Together, these two companies are able to provide high-quality videos to the more than 160,000 travelers who visit the site each month.

Users can choose from six channels to watch documentaries produced by Lonely Planet Television, including the Destination low-down, World Parties, and Travel Tales. I will admit I was skeptical about online television, but the videos I did see were well-produced, with stunning photography and knowledgeable hosts; this is more than I can expect from my TV at home.

And with online communities a new hot item, Lonelyplanet.tv and Limelight Networks are hoping video will be the next step in bringing like-minded users together to share videos of their independent travel experiences. Viewers can share their experiences by uploading three- to five-minute videos from a computer, webcam, or cell phone.