The technological roadblock that hampered the industry as it waited for efficient webcasting tools and increased broadband penetration has already crumbled. Today, nearly a third of U.S. internet connections are broadband. As of June 2007, that meant 66 million potential viewers domestically and a total of 221 million broadband users worldwide.

Meanwhile, the online media explosion has fueled the growth of content distribution networks, or CDNs, run by companies like Akamai, AT&T and Level 3 that are capable of streaming shows in real time from concert venues.