LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- RealNetworks(R), Inc , the global leader in digital media delivery and TiVo Inc. , the creator of and leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVRs), today announced a first-of-its-kind integration of the Rhapsody(R) digital music service with the TiVo(R) service giving TiVo subscribers access to over 3 million songs on demand right from the TiVo remote. This groundbreaking collaboration is intended to give broadband connected TiVo subscribers access to the award-winning Rhapsody(R) digital music experience via their television sets starting later this year.
"Partnering with Real to integrate the Rhapsody service is part of our commitment to providing TiVo subscribers the best possible home entertainment experience," said Jim Denney, vice president of product marketing at TiVo. "With this new exclusive set of features, TiVo and Real Networks intend to give consumers the ultimate method of finding and enjoying digital music from the comfort of their living rooms."
Integrating the Rhapsody digital music service on the TiVo service will for the first time provide consumers with access to a leading on-demand digital music service through the award winning TiVo service. Subscribers will be able to directly stream Rhapsody's 3+ million songs to any broadband-connected TiVo box in their house, as many times as they like. Through TiVo's intuitive interface, subscribers will enjoy instant music playback from thousands of artists in dozens of genres, as well as access to their personal library of playlists and tracks. Any song they discover and flag via their TiVo remote will also be available in their personal Rhapsody library when they access it from a PC. The new TiVo music service will be powered by Rhapsody DNA, the technology platform that enables seamless integration of Rhapsody into consumer electronics devices.
"By integrating our technologies with devices like the TiVo box and service, we are giving consumers direct access to the Rhapsody service wherever and whenever they choose," said Dan Sheeran, SVP of music and video services, RealNetworks. "From MP3 players to networked in-home devices, Rhapsody DNA technologies are allowing our device partners to offer the market's most respected brand in on-demand music services as part of their own product offerings."
TiVo boxes are available at leading consumer electronic retailers including Best Buy, Circuit City and RadioShack. See http://www.tivo.com/ for details.
Media Contacts:
Matt Graves, RealNetworks, 415-934-2159,
RealNetworks, Inc. is the leading creator of digital media services and software including Rhapsody(R), RealPlayer(R) 10, and casual PC and mobile games. Broadcasters, network operators, media companies and enterprises use RealNetworks' products and services to create and deliver digital media to PCs, mobile phones and consumer electronics devices. Consumers can access and experience audio/video programming and download RealNetworks' consumer software at http://www.real.com/. RealNetworks' systems and corporate information is located at http://www.realnetworks.com/ .
About TiVo Inc
Founded in 1997, TiVo pioneered a brand new category of products with the development of the first commercially available digital video recorder (DVR). Sold through leading consumer electronic retailers, TiVo has developed a brand which resonates boldly with consumers as providing a superior television experience. Through agreements with leading satellite and cable providers, TiVo also integrates its full set of DVR service features into the set-top boxes of mass distributors. TiVo's DVR functionality and ease of use, with such features as Season Pass(TM) recordings and WishList(R) searches and TiVo KidZone, have elevated its popularity among consumers and have created a whole new way for viewers to watch television. With a continued investment in its patented technologies, TiVo is revolutionizing the way consumers watch and access home entertainment. Rapidly becoming the focal point of the digital living room, TiVo's DVR is at the center of experiencing new forms of content on the TV, such as broadband delivered video, music and photos. With innovative features, such as TiVoToGo(TM) transfers and online scheduling, TiVo is expanding the notion of consumers experiencing "TiVo, TV your way.(R)" The TiVo(R) service is also at the forefront of providing innovative marketing solutions for the television industry, including a unique platform for advertisers and audience measurement research.
NOTE: TiVo, 'TiVo, TV your way.' Season Pass, WishList, and the TiVo Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of TiVo Inc. and its subsidiaries worldwide.
This release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to, among other things, TiVo and RealNetworks' business, services, and future product strategy. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as, "believe," "expect," "may," "will," "intend," or similar expressions or the negative of those terms or expressions. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to vary materially from those expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially include delays or difficulties, in development, competitive service offerings, and lack of market acceptance, as well as the other potential factors described under "Risk Factors" in the public reports of TiVo Inc. and RealNetworks, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. TiVo and RealNetworks caution you not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. TiVo and RealNetworks disclaim any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
