With an accent on premium-quality content and high bit-rate video and audio streaming, Webmaster Central boasts well over 65 niche feeds in various genres including straight, gay, tranny, fetish, BDSM, and many more.
Launched in 2001, the former AVN-award winner employs nine full-time staff, with a head office in Tampa, Florida and satellite branches in L.A. and Canada employing three staff each.
Describing his company’s key agenda, president Andy Alvarez explains, “Webmaster Central was created for one simple reason: to provide webmasters with the best niche video streaming content available. In the past, we concentrated our efforts on making sure our video streamed the fastest, which we've obtained, so now we try to focus on bringing unique and exciting content ideas to webmasters. I believe that no other content company gets new and innovative products to market faster, with more frequency and reliably, than Webmaster Central.”
In addition to an ever expanding product line, sister outfit Webmaster Central HD is aiming to exploit the evolution of high definition as it graduates from theatrical viewing to commercial broadcasting. According to Alvarez, Webmaster Central HD has been in conception for the last six months. “We knew we wanted to be the first to provide high-definition streams but acquiring the content was extremely difficult. Luckily, we have some of the best contacts in the industry and they do not disappoint. We have made a deal to provide a steady stream of movies shot in high definition.”
Contrary to the gloomy forecast projected by some industry pundits, Alvarez firmly believes HD is the next frontier when it comes to Adult movie making, “Our specialty is now moving towards high-definition streaming content, which is a step toward the future. We plan on consistently offering new titles in this format, which is of course HD-shot videos converted to the highest-quality streams possible, making for an incredible online Adult experience.”
Alvarez is seemingly nonchalant in the face of the common argument that HD’s proliferation will be sabotaged by technical issues. “The filming of the movies in HD is integral to achieving the highest quality streams available. Since they begin in high-definition, the stream conversion doesn't degrade nearly as much when optimizing for the Internet,” he says.
Continuing on the tech tip, Alvarez confides, “Webmaster Central has an extensive Web farm and uses top-of-the-line multiprocessor machines that run very powerful streaming Web applications. Our video streaming system involves all of the basic elements of creating, delivering, and ultimately playing the video content along with a high-end custom built security system. We are also involved in developing content management software solutions for webmasters.”
“It's not possible to actually stream true high-definition due to today's bandwidth restrictions, but I think we've provided an excellent alternative that marks the beginning of tomorrow. Because these movies were all shot in high-definition, we can truly say these are the first high-definition streams ever offered to Adult webmasters, ” Alvarez says.
Despite its current foray into HD, Alvarez says Webmaster Central will maintain its current product portfolio, and continue to focus on providing the highest quality movie content in as many niches as possible. “We are constantly searching for the best quality films we can find and if we can't find what we're looking for then we'll create it ourselves, while providing a premium update service.”
Asked about new product development and content evolution, Alvarez reveals, “If you create too many obscure sub-niches, they become difficult to update in a timely fashion and, in turn, causes stagnancy and loss of membership. We focus on updating all our feeds a minimum of once a week. We try to keep things simple. This method keeps members coming back again and again as there's always something new and tantalizing for them.”
On the affiliate side, WC offers a range of packages, including a premium package called Late Night Library, which Alvarez says is a one-stop-shop for small to medium-size webmasters, complete with a full-length movie, movie pictures, and clips. "We want Webmasters to know that when they use our products, that will allow their members to be happy and stay happy, month after month. We like to keep the image of Webmaster Central fresh and inviting; it conveys to webmasters our commitment to professional business and long-term goals."
Additional achievements have included a deal with Legend Video which saw the development of a "top-notch" premium gay feed for all the big players in the industry like Penthouse, CyberErotica, SilverCash, and TopBucks. Premium Gay joins the Ultimate Pic Gallery, Babe Watch, College Confessions, Naughty Nymphos, and many more as Webmaster Central’s growing selection of premium streaming broadband content for gay or straight pay sites.
Anew referral program aimed directly at resource and webmaster chat sites gives webmasters an opportunity to earn $200 per signup or 50 percent of each sale, whichever is higher. "We have webmasters who send us referrals that turn into full package deals at $6,000. They make $3,000 off that package at 50 percent," explains Andy Alvarez. "The sky is the limit with this program, “ he adds. “Plus the Webmaster Central products practically sell themselves. We're simply looking to expand the business, and we're willing to be very fair about it."
In order to cater for its affiliates, Webmaster Central is monitored round the clock to ensure customers always have access to products. “We use fully redundant, high end servers connected to the backbone at over 100 Mbps with an uptime of 99.9 percent. We understand the importance of providing customers with a reliable product at the fastest speeds possible,” Andy says.
Alvarez believes Webmaster Central stands apart from other content providers. “The most important aspect is that we strive to be the best at what we do; our clients stay our clients, even in hard times,” he said.
"What makes us different is the quality of our premium movies and the weekly updates, which very few video companies do but makes a huge difference when it comes to retention. We like to keep the image of Webmaster Central fresh and inviting. It conveys to Webmasters our commitment to professional business and long-term goals."
“Our streaming speed and uptime are also extremely important areas we believe we are the best in. Our 786-kilobit stream is the largest and clearest stream on the Net, period.”
Other favorable WC traits include load-balanced servers and, says Alvarez, “a continually sharp focus. We do not attempt to spread ourselves too thin into live feeds or pay-per-view. Although these are appealing options to us, we don't want to do tons of things that appear mediocre; we concentrate on being the best in one area,” he says.
Alvarez remains eternally optimistic about the business. “As far as I'm concerned, there are nothing but positives with this industry. The people in this business are some of the most incredible and loyal people I have ever met. The events we attend are always a lot of fun and in some of the most exciting locales on the planet.”
“Getting to party in Vegas in the Real World suite and make money doing it is incredible. Have you ever gone to an insurance convention? I haven't and I never want to. One of the things I love most is the stigma associated with being a pornographer keeps a lot of people out of the business, which just means more money for us.”
The future for Webmaster Central looks very bright, says Alvarez.” As long as we continue to look for stronger, unique, and innovative quality products for our clients, they'll stay loyal to us. And just as you expect from Webmaster Central, we promise to stay loyal to them. Of course, being the only kid on the block with high-definition streams doesn't hurt either.”
