House of Blues Offers First Ever Live Music Video Download Service; Microsoft and e-Media Enable Secure VDD Program

Business Wire, May 2, 2000

Entertainment, Music and Online/Chat Editors

LOS ANGELES--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--May 2, 2000

HOB.com, The Home of Live Music(TM) today announced the debut of the Internet's first ever live music video digital download (VDD) service. The service offers an ongoing line-up of content-rich, live music archives, covering a broad and eclectic range of musical styles. Continuing in the House of Blues tradition of offering the highest quality live music both off and online, and addressing the insatiable demand for live music content, the HOB.com VDD service will also tap House of Blues venues throughout North America, giving HOB.com the ability to offer additional video download titles within hours of artist performances. Initial VDD offerings will include Public Enemy, Squeeze, X, Berlin and Cheap Trick.

The VDD service is being introduced in conjunction with today's launch of Microsoft Windows Media Player 7 beta and WindowsMedia.com. HOB.com is a featured content provider for WindowsMedia.com. During the "Week of WindowsMedia.com," a seven-day promotion running now through May 8, HOB.com will offer both a free live video download of alt rockers 311 and a customized House of Blues skin to commemorate the new service.

Windows Media digital-rights management (DRM) technology will be used to protect against any unauthorized copying and exchanging of HOB.com files. HOB.com once again opted for Microsoft's DRM system, which has proven successful in their audio download business, and worked with e-Media, the leader in e-commerce streaming based in New Canaan, Conn., to develop the video download capable site.

VDDs will be offered at a price of $2.99 per track. Participants' credit cards will be charged for video downloads only after the successful download has been completed and licenses have been accepted and agreed upon. These licenses will not expire and users will be given three attempts to ensure a successful download. All downloads are secure and cannot be opened by anyone but the purchaser.

Stephen Felisan, Senior Vice President of House of Blues Digital, Inc. stated, "HOB.com is continually pushing the envelope on new business models that benefit artists, labels and the consumer. Our Video Digital Download service is an exciting, new way for music lovers to enjoy the live music experience."

"The House of Blues name means great live music, and this service will bring that music into the homes of the millions of people who rely on WindowsMedia.com and the Windows Media Player for online entertainment," said Dave Fesler, General Manager of Marketing for Microsoft's Digital Media Division. "It is a perfect marriage of great content and an innovative, Windows Media-enabled business model."

"e-Media has long considered the House of Blues to be the leading innovator in generating revenues from music streaming," said Michael Terretta, Chief Technology Officer of e-Media. "We were thrilled to work with HOB.com to develop this comprehensive and attractive video downloads application built on Microsoft's Windows Media Technologies. Our three years of experience with massively popular online PPVs, plus HOB.com's five years of perspective on online music consumers, makes this the benchmark to beat."

About House of Blues Digital, Inc.:

House of Blues Digital, Inc. is a division of HOB Entertainment, Inc., and is committed to the production, capture, promotion and digital distribution of live music content taking place at House of Blues venues, HOB Concert amphitheatres and arenas and other select premiere venues worldwide. House of Blues Digital, Inc. has the ability to broadcast digital content through various media including the Internet, broadband cable, HDTV, satellite, DVD, and traditional media. House of Blues Digital, Inc.'s expertise in promotions and programming supports artists and labels through the entire on-line marketing medium. www.hob.com -- The Home of Live Music(TM)