RealNetworks and Comcast announce expanded Online Music agreement

SEATTLE, WA. (RealNetworks/ www.realnetworks.com) - RealNetworks, Inc, the leading creator of digital media services and software, announced today that it has signed an expanded online music agreement with Comcast. The agreement - which once again brings together the nation's number one broadband provider and number one digital music subscription service - is designed to provide Comcast's more than 6.5 million high-speed Internet customers access to RealNetworks' premium Internet radio service, Rhapsody RadioPlus. The service is expected to launch within the first half of 2005 on Comcast.net, Comcast's award-winning broadband portal.

Rhapsody RadioPlus is a subscription-based Internet radio service that enables consumers to listen to more than 90 professionally-programmed Internet radio stations, enjoy more than 30,000 artist-based radio stations, or build their own custom radio stations with music from their favorite artists.
For over a year, Comcast and Real have been working together to bring some of the coolest and most entertaining broadband-enabled content to Comcast's high-speed Internet customers. Comcast has offered the full Rhapsody jukebox service to customers since November 2003, and has provided Comcast Arcade powered by RealArcade, a downloadable and Web-based casual games service that offers play-before-you-pay and advertising-free access to more than 250 games, since June 2003.

RealNetworks has a substantial lead in the growing market for subscription-based music services, with more than 625,000 paying subscribers as of the end of Q3 2004.
"Comcast continually enhances our broadband offering with new built-for-broadband services and applications that showcase the value of our 100% Pure Broadband(TM) network," said Greg Butz, senior vice president, marketing and business development for Comcast Online. "We believe Rhapsody RadioPlus will add even more value to our popular music service offering, and we're pleased to be expanding our relationship with RealNetworks."
"We truly value our partnership with Comcast - it's rewarding to work with a company that is pioneering exciting new broadband experiences," said Rob Glaser chairman and CEO of RealNetworks.
"By delivering Rhapsody RadioPlus to all of its broadband customers, Comcast is providing its customers a convenient and unique way to enjoy the online music experience."

Rhapsody RadioPlus is an integrated component of RealNetworks' Rhapsody jukebox service that is considered by consumers and reviewers to be the gold standard for music subscriptions. Rhapsody was recently honored as the 'Best Downloadable or Subscription Music Service' during the Billboard Digital Entertainment Awards.