Progressive Networks launches the first commercial audio-on-demand
`system over the Internet
`
`Business Wire
`
`April 10, 1995, Monday
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`Copyright 1995 Business Wire, Inc.
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`Length: 1229 words
`
`Dateline: SEATTLE
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`Body
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`April 10, 1995--Progressive Networks (PN), an interactive communications company focused on the delivery of real-
`time audio on demand over the Internet, was launched Monday.
`
`its RealAudio audio-on-demand development and delivery system
`introduced
`The company also
`(http://www.RealAudio.com/) and announced that its first two content partners are the American Broadcasting Co.
`(ABC) and National Public Radio (NPR).
`
` Leading-edge website providers Metaverse, HotWired, GNN and RadioNetHuman/Factor, among others, will also
`be producing audio entertainment and news using RealAudio technology that can be enjoyed by their users at the
`touch of a button.
`
`The RealAudio system enables users equipped with conventional multimedia personal computers and voice-grade
`telephone lines to browse, select and play back audio or audio-based multimedia content on demand, as easily as
`using a standard video cassette player/recorder.
`
` PN's RealAudio system makes it possible for providers of entertainment, information and news content to deliver
`audio-on-demand services that can be accessed and played back immediately.
`
` This is a real breakthrough compared to typical download times encountered with delivery of audio over
`conventional on-line methods, in which audio is downloaded at a rate that is five to ten times longer than the actual
`program -- e.g., the listener must wait 25 minutes before listening to just five minutes of audio.
`
` Progressive Networks was founded by Rob Glaser, formerly vice president of Multimedia and Consumer Systems
`at Microsoft Corp. Progressive Networks' lead outside investor is Mitchell Kapor, founder of Lotus Development
`Corp. and the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
`
` "We recognized an immediate opportunity for content providers to develop and offer exciting on-demand services
`today, years ahead of the infrastructure investment needed for video on demand. We are bringing one of the oldest
`and most popular forms of electronically transmitted entertainment -- sports, music and news programming, called
`radio -- into the next century," said Glaser.
`
` "We can now help audio content providers make a wealth of programming available to Internet users and enable
`users to access this material for the first time on demand."
`
` "Our involvement with PN is part of ABC's continuing commitment to using today's innovative technologies to bring
`news, sports and entertainment programming to our audience," said ABC's Kathryn Dillon, vice president of
`Production and Technology in the Capital Cities/ABC Multimedia Group.
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`Page 2 of 4
`Progressive Networks launches the first commercial audio-on-demand system over the Internet
`
` "Our audio library consists of hundreds of thousand of hours of great entertainment as well as memorable news
`and sporting events. RealAudio affords us an opportunity to make this programming available to today's Internet
`and on-line users as well as an ability to create innovative new multimedia programming that will attract new users."
`
` "Real Audio provides NPR listeners with a unique new way to hear selections from their favorite NPR programs.
`This opportunity will be especially important for listeners whose crowded schedules cause them to miss over-the-air
`broadcasts by our member stations," said Del Lewis, president of NPR. "We are eager to continue working with
`Progressive Networks to use their innovative new Internet technology to provide improved services to our listeners
`and member stations."
`
` "We are excited to offer RealAudio programming that our customers can instantly access," said Adam Curry,
`president, Metaverse. "This will greatly expand our audio programming opportunities for an even richer Internet
`experience."
`
`
`PN's RealAudio Product Line
`
` In order to build the market for audio on demand, PN is introducing three RealAudio products, each designed for a
`specific market segment: RealAudio Player for consumers, RealAudio Studio for content creators and RealAudio
`Server for on-line publishers. The products work together to provide a comprehensive distributed client/server
`system.
`
` RealAudio Player is client-based software that enables Internet and on-line users to access existing audio for
`instant playback. Available free over the Internet for Windows, Macintosh and select UNIX workstations, the
`RealAudio Player can be used either in a standalone fashion or through integration with the standard Internet Web
`browsers.
`
` RealAudio Studio, the second RealAudio product being introduced, enables multimedia on-line creators to develop
`their own programs delivering audio-on-demand or audio-based multimedia streams.
`
` Studio will available in three forms: a trial version that can be downloaded freely for evaluation purposes, a
`standard version and a professional version. The standard and professional versions will be available first for
`Windows, with other versions to follow as market demand develops.
`
` RealAudio Server, the third product, enables major media content providers to distribute audio or audio-based
`multimedia streams over the Internet to a broad base of consumers and end users. RealAudio Servers will be
`available for Windows NT and a range of UNIX-based server platforms.
`
` Beta versions of the RealAudio Player, Studio and Server products are available now on a limited basis.
`Production versions of the RealAudio Player for Windows and Server for UNIX and Windows NT will be available by
`mid-year. Production versions of the RealAudio Player for Macintosh and the RealAudio Studio will be available in
`the third quarter.
`
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`Content Delivery Using PN's RealAudio Products
`
` PN plans to work with content and media partners in two ways: by providing RealAudio Server software to media
`companies that already have an on-line presence, and by selectively distributing content from media partners and
`providing it directly to consumers on Internet sites managed and maintained by PN.
`
` PN is working with independent content publishers such as Metaverse, HotWired, GNN and RadioNet, who are
`interested in using RealAudio to enhance their own Web sites. They will be offering two RealAudio entertainment
`and information programming for their users.
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`Page 3 of 4
`Progressive Networks launches the first commercial audio-on-demand system over the Internet
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` The ABC and NPR relationships are examples of cases where PN will be involved in the distribution of content.
`ABC's initial offering will consist of RealAudio-based news content, to be updated on an hourly basis.
`
` NPR is licensing content from four of its popular programs to Progressive Networks, including "All Things
`Considered" and "Morning Edition," which will be accessible to users on the RealAudio Internet site.
`
` About Progressive Networks
`
` Progressive Networks, based in Seattle, develops and markets software products and services designed to enable
`users of personal computers and other digital devices to send and receive audio and audio-based multimedia
`services using the existing infrastructure.
`
`CONTACT: KillerApp Communications
` Allison Thomas, Lauri Burrier, Katie Cotton:
` 818/509-3700
` Rachel McCallister, Scott Grogin: 213/939-5991
`
`
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`Classification
`
`Language: ENGLISH
`
`Subject: PRESS RELEASES (90%); EMERGING TECHNOLOGY (77%); SPORTS & RECREATION (73%);
`SPORTS & RECREATION EVENTS (73%); PRODUCT INNOVATION (71%)
`
`Company: ABC INC (84%); MICROSOFT CORP (66%); INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP
`(66%); ABC INC (84%); MICROSOFT CORP (66%); INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORP (66%);
` NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO (83%); NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO (57%)
`
`Organization: NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO (83%); NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO (57%); PROGRESSIVE-
`NETWORKS
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`Ticker: MSFT (NASDAQ) (66%); IBMC (BRU) (66%); IBM (NYSE) (66%); IBM (LSE) (66%)
`
`Industry: NAICS515210 CABLE & OTHER SUBSCRIPTION PROGRAMMING (84%); SIC4841 CABLE &
`OTHER PAY TELEVISION SERVICES (84%); NAICS511210 SOFTWARE PUBLISHERS (66%); SIC7372
`PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE (66%); NAICS334118 COMPUTER TERMINAL & OTHER COMPUTER
`PERIPHERAL EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURING (66%); NAICS334112 COMPUTER STORAGE DEVICE
`MANUFACTURING (66%); NAICS334111 ELECTRONIC COMPUTER MANUFACTURING (66%);
`COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS COMED (%); COMPUTER NETWORKS (90%); INTERNET & WWW (90%); MEDIA
`& TELECOMMUNICATIONS (90%); MEDIA CONTENT (90%); INTERNET CONTENT PROVIDERS (89%); ON
`DEMAND SERVICES (89%); AUDIO & VIDEO EQUIPMENT (78%); BROADBAND (78%); BROADCASTING
`INDUSTRY (78%); INTERNET AUDIO (78%); VIDEO ON DEMAND (78%); NETWORK TELEVISION (76%);
`PUBLIC BROADCASTING (76%); PUBLIC RADIO (76%); METAVERSE (72%); PERSONAL COMPUTERS (70%);
`TELEVISION PROGRAMMING (70%)
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`Page 4 of 4
`Progressive Networks launches the first commercial audio-on-demand system over the Internet
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`Person: ROB GLASER (79%)
`
`Geographic: UNITED STATES (79%)
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`Load-Date: April 11, 1995
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`End of Document
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