Who’s really hosting that Usenet provider’s Newsgroups? (Updated 3/25/2012)
Once a year (or so) we do an exhaustive research project to figure out which of the consumer Usenet companies are actually using shared resources and which are stand-alone. It’s based on IP back-tracing to server farms, company ownership research, and a good bit of just talking to service owners and the back-end companies themselves. Not everyone is up front about how their operations work and who uses what, but we feel good that the table below is fairly accurate as of the time we put it together.
As the bar for minimum usenet quality levels continues to rise, fewer and fewer newsgroup companies have the resources to compete in the usenet field on their own. In order to maintain the kind of discussion thread history (i.e. retention days) that users demand, hosting companies must maintain terrabytes of disc space and channel even more bandwidth. The simple fact is: There are only a handful of independent usenet providers out there anymore, and their newsgroup retention levels and system uptime just can’t compare to the big three.
Chances are that any Usenet company you see advertised on the ‘net is actually just re-selling access to one of the big three: Readnews, Giganews, or Highwinds. In fact, a fair number of the companies listed for one of the back ends are either owned by or tightly related to the back end Usenet host. All three providers have their strengths and weaknesses. Where possible we always recommend cutting out the middleman and going directly to the source. For Highwinds and Giganews you can buy from one of their closely owned or managed companies. For Readnews you can choose among a couple of their long-standing resellers who have a solid reputation for service.
Oh, so you noticed? XSNews on the list too? Right now we’re not sure what is going to become of them – we’re only on the outside looking in, but it appears they have been pulled in to a Dutch lawsuit in some way, so we’re unsure of their future, as it appears most of their prior resellers have become concerned as well. For the sake of the Usenet family, we truly hope they prevail!
So without further adieu, here is our list of Usenet Newsgroup providers and the back end service providers for each:
Usenet Service Companies sorted by Back End Provider
We get flack from the back end Newsgroup providers every time we update this database, but it’s really useful for users who are looking to switch to a new Usenet service and want to make sure they get one with the back end they prefer.
| Backend Server or status |
Sold via (Direct or reseller) |
| ALTOPIA |
altopia.com |
| Euroaccess |
xlned.com |
| FDC Servers.net (?) |
nntpserver.com |
| FDC Servers.net |
sonic-news.com |
| FDC Servers.net |
teranews.com |
| Giganews |
airnews.net |
| Giganews |
giganews.com EU, US |
| Giganews |
powerusenet.com |
| Giganews |
rhinonewsgroups.com |
| Giganews |
speakeasy.net (ISP) |
| Giganews |
Supernews.com – EU, US |
| Giganews |
Usenet.net |
| Highwinds |
alt.binaries.com EU, US |
| Highwinds |
bubbanews.com US |
| Highwinds |
easynews.com EU,US |
| Highwinds |
ensnews.com EU, US |
| Highwinds |
eweka.nl |
| Highwinds |
firstload.com EU |
| Highwinds |
flashnewsgroups.com US |
| Highwinds |
forteinc.com |
| Highwinds |
iload-usenet.com EU |
| Highwinds |
iusenet.com US |
| Highwinds |
maximumusenet.com EU, US |
| Highwinds |
meganetnews.com US |
| Highwinds |
newsdemon.com EU, US |
| Highwinds |
newsgroup-binaries.com US |
| Highwinds |
newsgroupdirect.com US |
| Highwinds |
newsguy.com US |
| Highwinds |
newshosting.com US, EU |
| Highwinds |
newsrazor.net EU |
| Highwinds |
nntpjunkie.com US |
| Highwinds |
simonnews.com EU |
| Highwinds |
sonic-news.com EU, US |
| Highwinds |
teranews US |
| Highwinds |
thenewsgroups.com EU, US |
| Highwinds |
theusenet.com EU, US |
| Highwinds |
thundernews.com EU, US |
| Highwinds |
tigerusenet.com EU, US |
| Highwinds |
titannews US |
| Highwinds |
uncensorednewsfeed.com EU, US |
| Highwinds |
usenet-access.com US |
| Highwinds |
usenetguide.com US |
| Highwinds |
usenetserver.com |
| Highwinds |
yottanews.com US |
| Integra Telecom |
newsrazor.net |
| Mithral Comm & Desgn |
octanews.com |
| NOVIA Corp |
newscene.com |
| PC extreme BV |
news-service.com – NL based |
| Readnews |
blocknews.net EU, US |
| Readnews |
fastusenet.org |
| Readnews |
newsreader.com |
| Readnews |
newsservers.net |
| Readnews |
ngroups.net |
| Readnews |
stealthnews.com |
| Readnews |
uncensorednewsfeed.com |
| Readnews |
usenet.se |
| Readnews |
usenetcentral.com |
| Readnews |
usenetmonster.com |
| Readnews |
usenet-news.net |
| Readnews |
usenetnow.net EU, US |
| Readnews |
usenetrocket.com |
| Redirected to others |
newsfeeds.com |
| Reflected Network |
newsgroups.com |
| Reflected Network |
newsgroups.com |
| Reflected Network |
uncensorednewsfeed.com |
| RSP Infrastructure, LLC |
hitnews.eu |
| Searchtech Ltd |
astraweb.com EU |
| SOL.NET |
megabitz.net |
| Virtual Interactive Ctr |
newsville.com |
| XEEX |
astraweb.com US |
| XS News BV |
binverse.com |
| XS News BV |
download2day.nl |
| XS News BV |
eurofeeds.com |
| XS News BV |
smsusenet.com |
| XS News BV |
usenext.com |
| XS News BV |
xsnews.com |
| thumbnails |
GoGoUsenet.com |
| thumbnails |
thumbnailednewsgroups.com |
| thumbnails |
ucache |
| thumbnails |
usenetbinaries.com |
| thumbnails |
xusenet |
| thumbnails |
diiva.com |
| thumbnails |
newscat.com |
| CLOSED |
100proofnews.com |
| CLOSED |
1usenet.com |
| CLOSED |
active-news.com |
| CLOSED |
alibis.com |
| CLOSED |
allthenews |
| CLOSED |
anonymousnewsfeed.com |
| CLOSED |
athenanews.com |
| CLOSED |
buzzardnews.com |
| CLOSED |
claranews |
| CLOSED |
core.com |
| CLOSED |
corenews.com |
| CLOSED |
cox.net |
| CLOSED |
eternews.com |
| CLOSED |
euronews.com |
| CLOSED |
eurousenet.com |
| CLOSED |
fastusenet.com |
| CLOSED |
goliathnews |
| CLOSED |
guba.com |
| CLOSED |
iusenet.com EU |
| CLOSED |
mammothnews.com |
| CLOSED |
maximumusenet.com |
| CLOSED |
news2me.com |
| CLOSED |
news4u2.com NL |
| CLOSED |
news4u2.com NYC |
| CLOSED |
news4u2.com Phoenix |
| CLOSED |
newsdome.com |
| CLOSED |
newsfeeds.eu |
| CLOSED |
newsfusion.net |
| CLOSED |
onlynews.com |
| CLOSED |
orangeusenet.com |
| CLOSED |
Randori – closed |
| CLOSED |
razornews.com |
| CLOSED |
rushnetwork.net |
| CLOSED |
slurp.net |
| CLOSED |
ultrafeed.com |
| CLOSED |
usenet.com |
| CLOSED |
Usenetvault.com |
| CLOSED |
usenet-xxl.com |
|
Newsgroup Back End Providers sorted by Usenet Advertiser
Like-wise, we get flack from the Usenet services every time we update this database, but it’s really useful for users who want to see where their service is really coming from before they decide to make any changes.
| Sold via (Direct or reseller) |
Backend Server or status |
| 100proofnews.com |
CLOSED |
| 1usenet.com |
CLOSED |
| active-news.com |
CLOSED |
| airnews.net |
Giganews |
| alibis.com |
CLOSED |
| allthenews |
CLOSED |
| alt.binaries.com EU |
Highwinds – EU – reseller |
| alt.binaries.com US east |
Highwinds – US – reseller |
| altopia.com |
Altopia |
| anonymousnewsfeed.com |
CLOSED |
| astraweb.com EU |
Searchtech Ltd |
| astraweb.com US |
Searchtech Ltd |
| athenanews.com |
CLOSED |
| binverse.com |
XSNews |
| blocknews.net EU |
Readnews.com AMS |
| blocknews.net US |
Readnews.com US |
| bubbanews.com US |
Highwinds – US – reseller |
| buzzardnews.com |
CLOSED |
| claranews |
CLOSED |
| core.com |
CLOSED |
| corenews.com |
CLOSED |
| cox.net |
No Usenet |
| diiva.com |
thumbnails |
| download2day.nl |
XSNews |
| easynews.com US |
Highwinds – US – EN |
| easynews.com EU |
Highwinds – EU – EN |
| ensnews.com EU |
Highwinds – EU – reseller |
| ensnews.com US |
Highwinds – US – reseller |
| eternews.com |
CLOSED |
| eurofeeds.com |
XSNews |
| eurofeeds.com |
XSNews |
| euronews.com |
CLOSED |
| eurousenet.com |
CLOSED |
| eweka.nl |
Highwinds – Eweka |
| fastusenet.com |
CLOSED |
| fastusenet.org |
Readnews.com US |
| firstload.com EU |
Highwinds – EU – reseller |
| flashnewsgroups.com US |
Highwinds – US – reseller |
| forteinc.com |
Highwinds – US – Reseller |
| giganews EU |
Giganews |
| giganews US |
Giganews |
| GoGoUsenet.com |
Thumbnail |
| goliathnews |
CLOSED |
| guba.com |
CLOSED |
| hitnews.eu |
Hosted at RSP Infrastructure, LLC |
| iload-usenet.com EU |
Highwinds – EU – reseller |
| iusenet.com EU |
CLOSED |
| iusenet.com SSL US |
Highwinds – US – reseller |
| mammothnews.com |
CLOSED |
| maximumusenet.com |
CLOSED |
| maximumusenet.com EU |
Highwinds – EU – reseller |
| maximumusenet.com US |
Highwinds – US – reseller |
| megabitz.net |
Hosted at SOL.NET |
| meganetnews.com US |
Highwinds – US – reseller |
| news2me.com |
CLOSED |
| news4u2.com NL |
CLOSED |
| news4u2.com NYC |
CLOSED |
| news4u2.com Phoenix |
CLOSED |
| newscat.com |
thumbnails |
| newscene.com |
NOVIA Corp |
| newsdemon.com (US) |
Highwinds – US – reseller |
| newsdemon.com (EU) |
Highwinds – EU – reseller |
| newsdome.com |
CLOSED |
| newsfeeds.com |
Redirected to others |
| newsfeeds.eu |
CLOSED |
| newsfusion.net |
CLOSED |
| newsgroup-binaries.com US |
Highwinds – US – reseller |
| newsgroupdirect.com US |
Highwinds – US – reseller |
| newsgroups.com |
Hosted at Reflected Network |
| newsguy.com US |
Highwinds – US – reseller |
| newshosting.com US |
Highwinds – US – NH |
| newshosting.com EU |
Highwinds – EU – NH |
| newsrazor.net |
Hosted via Integra Telecom |
| newsrazor.net EU |
Highwinds – EU – reseller |
| newsreader.com |
Readnews.com US |
| newsservers.net |
Readnews.com US |
| news-service.com – NL based |
killed by BREIN |
| newsville.com |
Hosted via Virtual Interactive Ctr |
| ngroups.net |
Readnews.com AMS |
| ngroups.net |
Readnews.com US |
| nntpjunkie.com US |
Highwinds – US – reseller |
| nntpserver.com |
FDC? nntpserver.com |
| octanews.com |
Mithral Comm & Desgn |
| onlynews.com |
CLOSED |
| orangeusenet.com |
CLOSED |
| powerusenet.com |
Giganews |
| Randori – closed |
CLOSED |
| razornews.com |
CLOSED |
| rhinonewsgroups.com |
Giganews |
| rushnetwork.net |
CLOSED |
| simonnews.com |
Highwinds – EU – reseller |
| slurp.net |
CLOSED |
| smsusenet.com |
XSNews |
| sonic-news.com |
FDC Servers.net |
| sonic-news.com |
FDC Servers.net |
| sonic-news.com EU |
Highwinds – EU – reseller |
| sonic-news.com US |
Highwinds – US – reseller |
| speakeasy.net (ISP) |
Giganews |
| stealthnews.com |
Readnews.com US |
| Supernews – EU |
Giganews |
| Supernews – US |
Giganews |
| teranews |
FDC Servers.net |
| teranews |
Highwinds – US – reseller |
| thenewsgroups.com EU |
Highwinds – EU – reseller |
| thenewsgroups.com US |
Highwinds – US – reseller |
| theusenet.com EU |
Highwinds – EU – reseller |
| theusenet.com US |
Highwinds – US – reseller |
| thumbnailednewsgroups.com |
thumbnails |
| thundernews.com EU |
Highwinds – EU – reseller |
| thundernews.com US |
Highwinds – US – reseller |
| tigerusenet.com EU |
Highwinds – EU – reseller |
| tigerusenet.com US |
Highwinds – US – reseller |
| titannews US |
Highwinds – US – reseller |
| ucache |
thumbnails |
| ultrafeed.com |
CLOSED |
| uncensorednewsfeed.com |
Readnews.com US |
| uncensorednewsfeed.com |
Reflected Network |
| uncensorednewsfeed.com EU |
Highwinds – EU – reseller |
| uncensorednewsfeed.com US |
Highwinds – US – reseller |
| usenet.com |
CLOSED |
| Usenet.net |
Giganews |
| usenet.se |
Readnews.com AMS |
| usenet-access.com US |
Highwinds – US – reseller |
| usenetbinaries.com |
thumbnails |
| usenetcentral.com |
Readnews.com US |
| usenetguide.com US |
Highwinds – US – reseller |
| usenetmonster.com |
Readnews.com US |
| usenet-news.net EU |
Readnews.com AMS |
| usenet-news.net US |
Readnews.com US |
| usenetnow.net US |
Readnews.com US |
| usenetnow.net EU |
Readnews.com AMS |
| usenetrocket.com |
Readnews.com US |
| usenetserver.com |
Highwinds – US – UNS |
| Usenetvault.com |
CLOSED |
| usenet-xxl.com |
CLOSED |
| usenext.com |
XSNews |
| xlned.com |
Hosted Via Euroaccess |
| xsnews.com |
XSNews |
| xusenet |
thumbnails |
| yottanews.com US |
Highwinds – US – reseller |
|