Metallica and CinemaNow Partner to Offer Music Downloads of Live Shows From Current Tour

Business Wire, March 2, 2004

Entertainment Editors/Business Editors

MARINA DEL REY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 2, 2004

New Web Site Featuring Full Audio from Each Tour Stop

Powered by Technology From CinemaNow and Nugs.net Enterprises

CinemaNow Inc., a leader in IP-based video-on-demand distribution and technology, and nugs.net enterprises LLC, a digital media distribution company focused on live music, today announced an agreement with the music band Metallica to make concert recordings from its new tour available for download on the newly launched Web site, www.LiveMetallica.com.

As part of the agreement, Metallica fans will be able to download audio of entire shows from each stop on the first leg of Metallica's North American tour (which kicks off today in Phoenix, Arizona) within days of the band's performance. LiveMetallica.com will offer high quality, unedited soundboard recordings of all shows in standard MP3 and CD-quality FLAC files via a state-of-the-art delivery system powered by CinemaNow's PatchBay technology solution and nugs.net's live concert download services. All download files are compatible with Windows, Mac and Unix, allowing for maximum flexibility and ease of use. Once downloaded, shows can be burned to disc, transferred to portable players, or played through a computer. Each show also comes with printable booklets, tray inlays, and labels for fans that elect to burn the files to CD. The cost for each two-plus hour show is $9.95 for MP3s and $12.95 for higher-quality FLAC files. These are the same prices currently offered on similar live music services such as Phish's LivePhish.com and LiveDownloads.com, which features The String Cheese Incident and other bands.

"This is the next logical step in a process that began back in 1991 when we first implemented the 'Taper Section' at our shows, where the fans were encouraged to bring in their own gear to record the show, and then take home their very own 'bootleg' of the concert they had just seen," said Metallica's Lars Ulrich. "This technology will enable our fans to get the best possible recording of the show, without having to hold a microphone in the air for the entire night!"

CinemaNow is a pioneer in Internet-based content-on-demand. In addition to its Web site www.cinemanow.com, which has become the leading destination for the authorized downloading and streaming of feature films on the Internet, CinemaNow has also developed PatchBay, a Windows-based proprietary content-on-demand distribution and management system. In addition to powering the CinemaNow.com Web site, PatchBay is also available as a licensable technology solution and has quickly established itself as the leading technology for managing all aspects of Internet-based content distribution. Currently, PatchBay powers services ranging from film distribution in Europe and Asia to the NHL.com's video-on-demand service for hockey highlights.

"Metallica's success and longevity can be directly attributed to the band's dedication to their loyal fans," said Curt Marvis, chief executive officer of CinemaNow. "The launch of LiveMetallica.com is proof of the power of technology to directly link a band and its fans. As the breadth and popularity of content-on-demand applications continues to grow, we are confident that PatchBay's versatility will allow us to further expand our leadership position in this emerging marketplace."

About CinemaNow

CinemaNow, Inc. (www.cinemanow.com) is the global leader in Internet-based video-on-demand (VOD) and subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) distribution and technology. Through its growing list of content partners including 20th Century Fox, Disney, Lions Gate, MGM, Miramax and Warner Bros., the CinemaNow Web site has become the premier destination for the authorized downloading and streaming of feature films on the Internet. CinemaNow has also developed PatchBay(TM), a proprietary content-on-demand distribution and management system that runs the CinemaNow Web site, and is available as a licensable technology solution. CinemaNow is majority owned by Lions Gate Entertainment (AMEX:LGF).

About Nugs.net Enterprises

Nugs.net enterprises LLC is a privately held company focused on digital media distribution for the music industry. Built upon years of experience deploying enterprise-level applications for Fortune Fifty companies, nugs.net offers a comprehensive platform for digital media distribution. With the tools and services nugs.net provides, artists can harness the demand for their live performances and studio recordings. Nugs.net services and software empower touring bands to create a viable music distribution channel as a paid, high-quality alternative to the unbridled free online music-trading universe. The nugs.net platform currently powers the music download programs for Phish, The String Cheese Incident, Yonder Mountain String Band, and The Radiators, as well as the free music channel at www.nugs.net.

About Metallica

With more than 90 million albums sold worldwide, and gold or platinum certifications in more than 40 countries, Metallica enters their third decade at the top of their game. Largely regarded as one of the most influential groups in music history, Metallica has broken countless records, garnered numerous awards including 6 Grammys (with another nomination this year) and the 2003 MTV: Icon award.