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Christophe Lenaerts: The Untold Story Behind the Birth of Streaming
2 Stream|
12 May 2025

How Telemak shaped the future of live video long before it became mainstream


The history of streaming by Christophe Lenaerts and Telemak


Before streaming became a buzzword, before platforms like YouTube, Twitch or Zoom existed, Christophe Lenaerts and his company Telemak were streaming video all over the world. From revolutionizing non-linear editing in Europe to running the first multi-camera webcast studios, this is the story of a pioneer whose work helped lay the foundation for live video as we know it today.


1994: Editing goes digital


In 1994, Christophe Lenaerts launched Telemak as the first European company to import and sell non-linear video editing solutions from Radius, Media 100, Adobe and Apple. At a time when editing still meant cutting physical tape, this was a revolution.


“We sold the tools that would later become the industry standard, at a time when few people knew what digital editing was,” says Christophe.


1997: Interactive video before the web took over


Three years later, Telemak teamed up with digital agency Emakina to produce the world's first interactive CD-ROM with embedded video, based on the work of surrealist painter René Magritte. It was not only groundbreaking, but also progressive.


That same year, Telemak began experimenting with video over the Internet . There were no platforms, no manuals – just pure innovation. In Europe, and probably worldwide, they were the first to make Internet video a reality .


1999: The first worldwide livestream


In 1999, Telemak produced the first major international live-streaming event for World Online, broadcasting the Eurythmics Peace Tour live from Rotterdam, Paris and Los Angeles.


Later that year, they helped France Telecom launch tv-radio.com, a platform that streamed 350 live radio stations (real and virtual) to French and global audiences. It was a precursor to what would later become platforms like Spotify and TuneIn.

Telemak built the backend for TV-Radio.com, a project by France Telecom aimed at French speakers worldwide. Using AppleScript automation and their own Robocaster, Telemak helped stream over 350 radio stations worldwide.


2000: The Cannes Film Festival Reinvented


In 2000, Telemak was brought to Cannes by Canal+. The assignment? To set up and perform 18 live streams during the film festival – 10 of which were based on a new concept: the Netman.


A Netman unit: laptop, wireless internet, digital camera and microphone – mobile live reporting before smartphones


These Netmen roamed the Croisette, recording interviews and behind-the-scenes footage in real time. Meanwhile, Telemak built the first webcast-only TV studio on the beach at the Hôtel Martinez, and another on the roof. It was the first true "web studio" in history: live, interactive, and built for the Internet.


Article from the press


Cannes Film Festival 2000 by Telemak for Canal Plus and Apple

Behind the technology you use today


Throughout the 2000s, Telemak worked with Apple, Adobe, Radius, and others to refine tools that are now industry standards. Christophe and his team also helped Akamai and Apple establish QuickTime streaming worldwide, laying the foundation for today's content delivery networks.

They toured Europe with Apple Roadshows and spoke at major technology conferences, taking digital video mainstream.

2001–2005: ESA encryption platform


Telemak later built and improved the European Space Agency's video platform. Editors could preview and approve content and then publish it in QuickTime, MPEG-4 and Windows Media for worldwide use.


2001–2010: Streaming for the European Union


Telemak not only innovated in media, but also made government more accessible. Starting with the Belgian Presidency of the EU in 2001, they pioneered multilingual livestreaming for the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council of the EU.


From major summits to important speeches, Telemak streamed them all – long before Zoom diplomacy became the norm.


2003: UEFA Cup and Davis Cup


Telemak streamed VIP content during the UEFA Cup Final with NTT/Verio, using their Netman technology. They also co-produced a Davis Cup promo with the ITF, providing the script, filming, editing and delivery.


2005: Jean Paul Gaultier² — A perfume launch reimagined for the web


What if a perfume could be launched like a movie? That was the question Jean Paul Gaultier answered in 2005 with Gaultier² , a daring, digitally-focused perfume campaign.


The entire project was designed for the web. Under the creative direction of David Mileikowsky, Telemak took care of everything – from production and streaming to hosting – with Christophe Lenaerts as senior consultant. No agency layers in between. Just creativity, code and craftsmanship.


At its heart was a short cinematic production called Rencontres . More than a commercial, it was a mood: raw, elegant and intimate. Two lovers. One fragrance. Shot like a minimalist art film, it reflected Gaultier’s rebellious DNA – and showed how luxury could exist online before social video even had a name. Maxim Vengerov played violin from Wiesbaden, Germany and Zhang Yimou created calligraphic poetry in Beijing, China, interacting to create a unique work of art in music and graphics. All mixed live from Brussels and streamed to 600 influencers worldwide.


2003–2004: Telenet PCTV Platform – Belgium's first streaming TV


Telemak built the first Belgian internet TV on PC service for Telenet. More than 415,000 subscribers could stream live channels and VOD content and use a Java-built EPG.


2004–2005: SIC Online VOD platform


Telemak built the complete streaming backend for SIC Online, the largest Portuguese broadcaster. The platform, powered by Robocaster, supports daily live and on-demand content and is still operational.


Behind the scenes: developing the tools for streaming


Telemak directly contributed to the development of early streaming technologies with Apple, Adobe, Radius and Akamai, helping to shape QuickTime, CDNs and the online video infrastructure still in use today.


A legacy that lives on


Christophe Lenaerts didn’t just ride the streaming wave, he helped create it. The tools, platforms and ideas we take for granted today were built on the experience, risks and early successes of Telemak. Telemak was acquired by 2 Stream in 2024.


Christophe is active at 2 Stream today. Contact him or the team for any questions or projects.

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