SEATTLE, April 26, 2005
RealNetworks®, Inc. (Nasdaq: RNWK), transformed the web
by bringing sound to the internet for the first time with its
groundbreaking RealAudio®. Starting today, Real is again
transforming the online world with the introduction of the new
Rhapsody® delivering free, legal access to a library of more
than a million songs to anyone in the U.S. for the first time.
The new Rhapsody lets anyone* listen to and legally share
songs, of their choosing, every month. Consumers simply download
the Rhapsody jukebox software from Real
Rhapsody. Once downloaded, they can listen to 25 full tracks
from Rhapsody's library of over one million songs each month, and
enjoy unlimited access to the jukebox's other features at no
additional cost. In addition, Real also announced significant
enhancements to its critically-acclaimed Rhapsody Unlimited
service, and added a new tier called Rhapsody To Go,
designed to provide customers the ultimate experience in portable
digital music.
"With the new Rhapsody,
millions of people can now experience and share digital music
legally, and with no strings attached," said Rob Glaser,
chairman and CEO of RealNetworks. "We think the new Rhapsody
will transform digital music. What's more, we believe that once
consumers experience Real Rhapsody and share it with their friends,
many people will upgrade to one of our premium Rhapsody tiers. We
thank our partners in the music industry who worked closely with
us to create an innovative and win-win approach that works for
both the industry and consumers."
This breakthrough is made possible by several factors: First,
Real worked closely with the music industry to create a more
flexible model for consumers to try Rhapsody for free. As part of
this arrangement, the music industry is paid for each song played
at a rate that is generally comparable to full on-demand
subscription services plays. This works for Real and the music
industry because the company believes that the new Rhapsody will
drive significant increases in consumer usage, subscriptions and
purchases of music. Real's business relationship with Google and
new sponsorship relationship with Chrysler will also help offset
the music licensing costs.
"RealNetworks
is enhancing the web experience for users in compelling new
ways," said Sergey Brin, co-founder and president,
Technology, Google Inc. "Providing free, legal music at such
a large scale is an impressive accomplishment."
Today's news reinforces Real's leadership position in the
music subscription market. The company recently announced that it
has more than one million subscribers for its Rhapsody and
premium Internet radio services, giving the company a solid lead
in the overall market for music subscription services.
"This is the kind of bold thinking that first catapulted
Real to the top of the digital landscape ten years ago,"
said Richard Doherty, Research Director at The Envisioneering
Group. "Allowing anyone to have a Rhapsody jukebox at no
cost and creating a network that lets people listen to and
legally share music holds the promise of creating a huge appeal
for Real and expanding the music subscription model like never
before."
Real is celebrating the launch of the new Rhapsody with a
public concert at Radio City Music Hall featuring multi-platinum
recording artists Good Charlotte. Tickets to the concert are
being distributed to New Yorkers through a variety of local
promotional activities.
The New Rhapsody: Rhapsody 25, Rhapsody Unlimited, Rhapsody To
Go
Last year, Rhapsody was recognized as the "Best
Downloadable or Subscription Music Service" by Billboard
magazine's annual Billboard Digital Entertainment Awards. In
March, Rhapsody was honored with PC Magazine's Best Buy
award in a comparative review of leading online music services.
The three tiers of the new Rhapsody, Rhapsody 25, Rhapsody
Unlimited, and Rhapsody To Go, all include a rich set of
compelling features that enable consumers to customize their
online music experience including:
More than 2 Million
Songs: Users can choose their favorite
music from a library of more than a million CD quality
songs that they can search by artist, track, album, or
composer.
Community/Sharing: The
software's web-based "Send Playlist" feature
makes it easier than ever to e-mail playlists to others.
In addition, consumers can publish their playlists to
Rhapsody's new Playlist Central a great place to find
playlists from other users, celebrities, Rhapsody's music
editors, and the destination where users can rate each
others' playlists.
Personalization:
The new My Rhapsody feature lets consumers customize
their own homepage within Rhapsody to receive
recommendations, new release information, and other
content specific to their music tastes and listening
history. In addition, with a touch of a button, they can
now create "Instant Playlists" with recommended
artists and albums based on their previous music
selections.
Music Management:
Rhapsody now allows users to manage their entire digital
music collection with one simple application, from
playing and importing CDs to making mix CDs and
transferring downloaded music tracks to portable music
players.
Parental Controls:
Rhapsody provides parental controls, allowing parents to
limit the music their children can access based parental
advisory album ratings.
Download Store:
Rhapsody now offers an integrated music download store,
enabling consumers to purchase their favorite songs in
pristine 192 kbps RealAudio 10 with AAC. Once downloaded,
tracks can be transferred to a wide variety of portable
devices.
Premium Radio Stations:
All Rhapsody users have unlimited access to dozens of
commercial- internet radio stations.
In addition, consumers can also choose to purchase two, new
premium tiers of Rhapsody services:
Rhapsody Unlimited
Rhapsody Unlimited is a dramatically enhanced version of the
highly acclaimed Rhapsody service. In addition to streaming an
unlimited amount of music, Real
Rhapsody Unlimited subscribers can now download an unlimited
number of songs to their PC's hard drive from Rhapsody's library
of more than 2 million songs, and enjoy them offline for as
long as they remain subscribers. In additional to legal music downloads, Rhapsody Unlimited subscribers
can also create custom internet radio stations based on their
favorite artists, access over 50,000 artist based radio stations
or nearly 100 free pre-programmed Internet radio stations, and
view more than 1,500 music videos within the application.
In addition, Rhapsody Unlimited subscribers get a 10% discount
on purchased downloads through the integrated music store.
Downloaded songs are only 89 cents and most albums are $8.99.
Current Rhapsody All Access subscribers can convert to Rhapsody
Unlimited at no charge. At just $9.99 per month, Rhapsody
Unlimited subscribers can listen to an unlimited amount of music
for less than the cost of a typical CD. Rhapsody Unlimited is
available for download at www.realrhapsodydownload.com.
Rhapsody To Go
Rhapsody To Go is an innovative portable subscription offering
that will give subscribers the convenience of enjoying their
favorite music wherever they go. In addition to enjoying all the
benefits of the Rhapsody Unlimited service, Rhapsody To Go
subscribers can transfer an unlimited number of downloads to
compatible portable music players. The Rhapsody To Go service
costs $14.99 per month. Real recommends the iriver H10 and the
Creative Zen Micro portable music players for use with Rhapsody
To Go. Real is committed to providing consumers choice and will
continue to add support for additional devices.
As a special promotion, consumers who sign up for one year of
the Rhapsody To Go service will receive a $100 mail-in rebate on
an iriver H10 portable player. To try Rhapsody To Go free for 14
dats, click here.
Your first 14 days are
FREE! Explore the premium features of the
Rhapsody Unlimited subscription as much
as you want during your FREE TRIAL
period.
Free trial access
begins at trial sign-up and expires
fourteen days following trial sign-up.
You will NOT be charged
during your trial period.
The five (5) free
downloads will be credited to your
account following the free trial period.
You must have an active Rhapsody
Unlimited subscription in order to redeem
your five (5) free song downloads.
To avoid the monthly
US$9.99 Rhapsody Unlimited membership fee
after your trial has expired, just call
to cancel any time within the 14-day
trial period.