Company snapshot
| Category | EdgeCast | Verizon Media (VMDS) |
|---|---|---|
| Status | active | defunct |
| Founded | — | — |
| Headquarters | — | — |
| Website | — | — |
| Docs | — | — |
Overview
EdgeCast, originally founded in 2006 as EdgeCast Networks, is a content delivery network (CDN) and video streaming provider, now operated by Parler Cloud Technologies following its acquisition from Edgio in February 2025. The company specializes in delivering video-on-demand, live streaming, and edge computing services. It was previously acquired by Verizon in 2013 and later by Limelight Networks in 2022, which rebranded as Edgio before entering bankruptcy in 2024. EdgeCast serves clients across media, gaming, and e-commerce, including platforms like Parler Social and PlayTV. Its infrastructure supports high-performance content delivery with a focus on video streaming.
Verizon Media (VMDS), originally Verizon Digital Media Services and formerly known as Edgecast, was a content delivery network (CDN) provider specializing in media and content delivery. Launched as a Verizon division, it served media companies and enterprises with scalable content distribution. In 2021, Verizon sold its media division, including VMDS, to Apollo Global Management, which rebranded it as Edgecast under Yahoo. In June 2022, Limelight Networks acquired Edgecast, forming Edgio. Edgio filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2024, shutting down its CDN services on January 15, 2025. Select Edgecast assets were sold to Parler in February 2025 for $7.5 million.
Network & Architecture
EdgeCast operates 25 data centers across seven countries, with points of presence (PoPs) in North America, Europe, Asia, and other regions, following its acquisition by Parler Cloud Technologies. The network leverages a private backbone and peering agreements to optimize content delivery. It integrates with Triton DataCenter for enhanced cloud hosting capabilities. The architecture is designed for low-latency video streaming and edge computing, with strong global coverage but limited public details on specific PoP counts or capacity.
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Feature comparison
| Feature | EdgeCast | Verizon Media (VMDS) |
|---|---|---|
waf | ✗ | ✗ |
bot_mitigation | ✗ | ✗ |
ddos | ✓ | ✗ |
rate_limit | ✗ | ✗ |
http3_quic | ✗ | ✗ |
tls13 | ✓ | ✗ |
tiered_cache | ✓ | ✗ |
origin_shield | ✓ | ✗ |
instant_purge | ✓ | ✓ |
stale_while_revalidate | ✗ | ✗ |
stale_if_error | ✗ | ✗ |
image_optimization | ✗ | ✗ |
video_vod | ✓ | ✗ |
video_live | ✓ | ✗ |
drm | ✗ | ✗ |
hls_dash_packaging | ✓ | ✗ |
websockets | ✗ | ✗ |
signed_urls | ✗ | ✗ |
edge_compute | ✓ | ✗ |
functions | ✓ | ✗ |
kv_storage | ✗ | ✗ |
api_first | ✓ | ✓ |
realtime_logs | ✓ | ✓ |
log_push | ✗ | ✗ |
terraform | ✗ | ✗ |
Legend: ✓ = Supported, ✗ = Not supported, — = Not listed
Pricing
Pricing details are not publicly disclosed by Parler Cloud Technologies. Customers must contact the sales team for custom quotes. No free tier or pay-as-you-go (PAYG) options are explicitly mentioned, suggesting an enterprise-focused model.
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Integrations & DevEx
EdgeCast supports an API-first approach for configuration and management. Real-time logs are available for monitoring performance. Integration with Triton DataCenter enhances its cloud hosting capabilities. No specific details are provided on Terraform support, SDKs, or CI/CD integrations.
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When it fits
- Suitable for media companies needing robust video streaming (live and VOD) with HLS/DASH packaging and RTMP ingest.
- Ideal for enterprises seeking edge computing and serverless functions integrated with CDN services.
- Fits platforms like Parler Social or PlayTV requiring global content delivery with DDoS protection.
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When it doesn’t
- May not suit small businesses or developers looking for transparent, pay-as-you-go pricing models.
- Limited public details on PoP coverage or advanced integrations like Terraform may deter DevOps-focused teams.
- Not ideal for users needing extensive security features like WAF, bot mitigation, or signed URLs.
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History & Notes
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Verizon Media (VMDS) grew from Verizon’s 2013 acquisition of Edgecast, aiming to compete in media and ad tech. Despite $370 million in platform investment, it struggled against larger competitors. The 2021 sale to Apollo shifted its CDN to Edgecast, which merged with Limelight to form Edgio in 2022. Edgio’s bankruptcy in September 2024, due to accounting issues and debt, led to its CDN shutdown. Parler’s February 2025 acquisition of Edgecast assets supports its own platforms (Parler Social, PlayTV), with 120 former Edgio employees joining and a one-year IP license. The viability of Parler as a general CDN provider remains unclear.