Red Hot Chili Peppers and Def Leppard To Reach Consumers Directly Online June 4th By Streaming New Albums in Advance of June 8th Street Date

Business Wire, May 25, 1999

NEW YORK--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--May 25, 1999--

Mega Bands Take Advantage of RealNetworks Internet Technology To

Allow Fans to Preview New Albums In Their Entirety

On June 4th any consumer with access to the Internet will have the opportunity to visit the world's "ultimate listening posts" when the Red Hot Chili Peppers' new album, Californication, (Warner Bros.) and Def Leppard's Euphoria (Island/Def Jam) will be available in their entirety for streaming on the web prior to their official June 8th release.

This marks the first time that artists of this stature are making their complete albums available for preview prior to their commercial release date. In recent years the traditional avenues of exposure (radio and video) have become constricted in their ability to afford the consumer an opportunity to hear an artists's complete new repertoire prior the album actually being in stores. These ultimate listening posts afford the consumer the chance to make an educated decision about the purchase of an album based on hearing the record in its entirety.

To listen to the albums, users will need to download RealNetworks' free RealPlayer(R) G2, accessible at http://www.real.com

The impact of the Internet on the delivery of music and on fans around the world, is increasing dramatically thereby expanding the marketplace and allowing access to any and all songs. These two respected, high profile, extraordinarily successful groups wanted to make their music immediately accessible worldwide.

Red Hot Chili Peppers' fans can access all the music on Californication through the band's web site www.redhotchilipeppers.com. There are a total of fifteen tracks on Californication. Three tracks per day will be offered on demand starting on June 4 and continuing for ten days, allowing for two complete cycles of the album.

Def Leppard's web address is www.defleppard.com. Euphoria will be the cornerstone of a continuously repeated four-hour "Radio Free Euphoria" broadcast featuring the full-length album, new interviews and well-known tracks from previously released CDs. Fans can also access the broadcast at http://www.rockuniverse.com/defleppard.

"Scar Tissue" the first single from the Red Hot Chili Peppers album Californication debuts this week at No. 12 on the Billboard Modern Rock Monitor chart. In addition, for the first time since U2's Discotheque in 1996 the entire Radio & Records Alternative Panel has been closed out in one week. "Promises" the first single from Def Leppard's album Euphoria debuts this week at No. 18 on Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. Both songs have only been available for airplay since Wednesday, May 19th. It is fully expected that by the time this promotion begins both songs will be in the Top 5 of their respective charts.

"'Promises' reminded me of the first time I heard 'Photograph' on the radio and I was excited to play it on the air - their best work in over ten years."

John Zellner - KMXV (Kansas City)

"Californication is compelling and anticipated. Our audience has a true passion for this band. Top 5 phones already."

Jay Taylor - Live105 (San Francisco)

Def Leppard was recently honored by the RIAA with a Diamond Award, recognizing sales of over 12 million for their groundbreaking "Hysteria" release, bringing their total career sales to an astounding 43 million.

Warner Bros. Records, Inc., a company with world class reputation centered on its artist-friendly policies, long-range career development and visionary approach to discovering and nurturing musical talent. Warner Bros. Records Inc. has become, since its founding over forty years ago, a magnet for the most creative artists in contemporary popular music. Warner Bros. Records Inc., includes Warner Bros. (www.wbr.com) and Reprise (www.repriserec.com) labels and is a component of the Warner Music Group, a division of Time Warner.

RealNetworks, the recognized leader in media delivery on the Web, is partnered with the bands to bring music directly to their enormous worldwide followings. The albums will be featured on RealNetworks' RealGuide(TM), located at http://realguide.com and posted using the Real Broadcast Network(TM), Real Networks Internet broadcast service. RealNetworks (Nasdaq: RNWK), based in Seattle, Wash., is the recognized leader in media delivery on the Web. It develops and markets software products and services designed to enable users of personal computers and other consumer electronic devices, including the recently-announced RealJukebox, to send and receive audio, video and other multimedia services using the Web. RealNetworks can be found on the World Wide Web at www.real.com.