Christophe Lenaerts: The Untold Story Behind the Birth of Streaming
- 2 Stream
- May 6
- 4 min read
Updated: May 9
How Telemak helped shape the future of live video, long before it went mainstream
Before streaming became a buzzword, before platforms like YouTube, Twitch, or Zoom existed, Christophe Lenaertsand his company Telemak were already streaming video across 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 build the very foundations of live video as we know it.
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 were selling the tools that would later become industry standards—back when few people even knew what digital editing was,” says Christophe.
1997: Interactive Video Before the Web Caught Up
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 wasn’t just cutting-edge—it was ahead of the curve.
That same year, Telemak began experimenting with video over the internet. There were no platforms, no playbooks—just raw innovation. In Europe, and probably globally, they were the first to make internet video a reality.
1999: The First Global 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 streaming 350 live radio stations (real and virtual) to the French and global audiences—a precursor to what platforms like Spotify and TuneIn would later become.
Telemak built the backend for TV-Radio.com, a France Telecom project aimed at Francophones worldwide. Using AppleScript automation and their proprietary Robocaster, Telemak helped stream 350+ radio stations globally.
2000: Reinventing the Cannes Film Festival
In 2000, Telemak was called to Cannes by Canal+. The task? Build and run 18 live streams during the film festival—10 of which came from a new concept: the Netman.
A Netman unit: Laptop, wireless internet, digital camera, and mic — mobile live reporting before smartphones
These Netmen roamed the Croisette, capturing interviews and behind-the-scenes footage in real time. Meanwhile, Telemak built the first webcast-only TV studio on the beach of the Hôtel Martinez, and another on its rooftop. It was the first true “web studio” in history—live, interactive, and built for the internet.
Behind the Tech 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 globally—laying groundwork for today’s content delivery networks.
They toured Europe with Apple Roadshows and spoke at key tech conferences, pushing digital video into the mainstream.
2001–2005: ESA Encoding Platform
Telemak built and later upgraded the European Space Agency's video platform. Editors could preview and approve content, then publish it in QuickTime, MPEG-4, and Windows Media for global use.
2001–2010: Streaming for the European Union
Telemak wasn’t just innovating in media—it was also making government more accessible. Starting with the Belgian Presidency of the EU in 2001, they pioneered multi-language live streaming for the European Parliament, European Commission, and Council of the EU.
From high-stakes summits to major addresses, Telemak streamed them all—well before Zoom diplomacy became a norm.
2003: UEFA Cup & Davis Cup
Telemak streamed VIP content during the UEFA Cup Final with NTT/Verio using its Netman tech. They also co-produced a Davis Cup promo with the ITF, handling scripting, filming, editing, and delivery.
2005: Jean Paul Gaultier² — A Fragrance Launch Reimagined for the Web
What if a perfume could launch like a film? That was the question Jean Paul Gaultier answered in 2005 with Gaultier², a bold digital-first fragrance campaign.
The entire project was imagined for the internet. Under the creative direction of David Mileikowsky, Telemak took the reins on everything — from production and streaming to hosting — with Christophe Lenaerts as senior consultant. No agency middle layers. Just creative, code, and craft.
At the heart of it was a short cinematic piece called Rencontres. More than an ad, it was a mood: raw, elegant, and intimate. Two lovers. One scent. Shot like a minimalist art film, it reflected Gaultier’s rebellious DNA — and showcased how luxury could live online before social video even had a name. With Maxim Vengerov playing the violin fro Wiesbaden in Germany and Zhang Yimou making calligraphic poetry in Beijing in China interacting with each other to create a unique peace of art of music and graphics. All live mixed 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. Over 415,000 subscribers could stream live channels, VOD content, and use an EPG built with Java.
2004–2005: SIC Online VOD Platform
Telemak built the entire streaming backend for SIC Online, Portugal’s top broadcaster. The platform, powered by Robocaster, supports daily live and on-demand content and is still running.
Behind the Scenes: Building the Tools of Streaming
Telemak contributed directly to the development of early streaming tech with Apple, Adobe, Radius, and Akamai, helping shape QuickTime, CDNs, and online video infrastructure still used today.
A Legacy that Lives On
Christophe Lenaerts didn’t just ride the wave of streaming—he helped create it. The tools, platforms, and ideas we take for granted today were built on the back of experiments, risks, and early wins by Telemak. Telemak was acquired by 2 Stream in 2024
Today Christophe is active at 2 Stream. Contact him or the team for any question or project you have in mind.
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