Christophe Lenaerts: The untold story behind the birth of streaming - 2stream
How Telemak shaped the future of live video long before it went mainstream
Before streaming became a buzzword, before platforms like YouTube, Twitch or Zoom existed, Christophe Lenaerts and his company Telemak were already streaming video around the world. From revolutionising non-linear editing in Europe to running the first multi-camera webcast studios, this is the story of a pioneer whose work contributed to the foundations of live video as we know it today.
1994: Montage becomes 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 were selling the tools that would later become the industry standard, at a time when few people knew what digital editing meant,’ says Christophe.
1997: Interactive video before the web took over
Three years later, Telemak partnered 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 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 global live stream
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.
Behind the technology you use today
Throughout the 2000s, Telemak worked with Apple, Adobe, Radius and others to refine tools that are now standard. 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 key technology conferences, making digital video mainstream.
2001–2005: ESA-coderingsplatform
Telemak later built and enhanced the European Space Agency ESA'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 live streaming for the European Parliament , the European Commission and the Council of the EU .
From important summits to key 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, handling script, shooting, editing and delivery.
2005: Jean Paul Gaultier² - A perfume launch redesigned for the web
What if a perfume could be launched just like a film? That was the question Jean Paul Gaultier answered in 2005 with Gaultier² , a bold, digitally-oriented perfume campaign.
The entire project was designed for the internet. Under the creative direction of David Mileikowsky, Telemak took charge of everything - from production and streaming to hosting - with Christophe Lenaerts as senior consultant . No agency layers in between. Just creativity, code and craftsmanship.
Central was a short cinematic production called Rencontres . More than a commercial, it was an atmosphere: raw, elegant and intimate. Two lovers. One fragrance. Filmed like a minimalist art film, it reflected Gaultier's rebellious DNA - and showed how luxury could exist online before social video had a name at all. Maxim Vengerov played violin from Wiesbaden in Germany and Zhang Yimou created calligraphic poetry in Beijing in China, interacting with each other to create a unique artwork of 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 Belgium's first 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 the first 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 surf the streaming wave, he helped create it too. The tools, platforms and ideas we take for granted today were built on Telemak's experience, risks and early successes. Telemak was acquired by 2 Stream in 2024.
Christophe is active at 2 Stream today. Contact him or the team with any questions or projects you may have.
