BT Group has launched a new technology called Multicast-Assisted Unicast Delivery (MAUD), which aims to deliver live content over the internet in a more reliable, quality-focused and sustainable way. MAUD uses multicast to group single streams into one shared stream, which is then directed to viewers who want to watch the content. This improves the efficiency of content delivery, reduces costs, and has environmental benefits. MAUD uses up to 50% less bandwidth during peak events, reducing energy usage and freeing up internet capacity to deliver a higher quality of experience. BT Group has also published research showing that the public’s appetite for watching live content is undiminished, with 90% of UK viewers still consuming live content via television. Viewers prioritise picture quality and reliability over other features. MAUD was developed by BT’s Research Labs and is being evaluated and potentially trialled by broadcasters, including the BBC. BT Group’s Chief Security and Networks Officer, Howard Watson, described MAUD as a major breakthrough in delivering content over the internet.