RealNetworks and Covad Team to Optimize BroadbandStreaming Media Services - Company Business and Marketing

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, Dec 13, 1999

RealNetworks, Inc., the recognized leader in media delivery on the Internet, and Covad Communications, the leading national broadband services provider utilizing "Digital Subscriber Line" (DSL) technology, Thursday announced an agreement to conduct broadband streaming media trials over high-speed DSL lines.

RealNetworks also announced Thursday the launch of a broadband Real.com Guide, www.real.com, which provides broadband-enabled Internet viewers a single place to find the most compelling broadband audio and video programming, and the best broadband sites on the Internet. This new area of the Real.com Guide offers viewers a daily selection of sports highlights, music videos, news coverage, movie trailers, short films, and comedy clips as well as access to over 60 top broadband sites.

"Covad leads the industry in making it easier for end-users to buy and experience broadband services, including streaming media," said Rob Davenport, executive vice president of Corporate Development for Covad. "The Covad broadband delivery platform will allow content providers to deliver, and end-users to receive, the highest quality Real.com Guide broadband experience."

"As more and more consumers take advantage of broadband services like those offered by Covad, we expect to see significant demand for compelling broadband programming and entertainment," said Mark Hall, vice president, Media Publishing and Programming, RealNetworks, Inc. "We launched the broadband Real.com Guide today to give those consumers a single place to access the highest quality broadband programming on the Internet."

Through joint broadband content trials, Covad and RealNetworks will work to make the streaming media experience, including audio and video, richer and faster for the small business and residential end user. The partnership will provide for the optimization of the Covad network using the broadband capabilities of RealSystem G2. End-users involved in the Covad trial will be able to receive live and on-demand broadband content through Covad's built-for-broadband network. The companies will jointly carry out pilot co-marketing programs, including a co-branded interactive program guide, to promote the use of Covad's high-speed DSL connections for multimedia applications and RealNetworks streaming media software and content.

RealNetworks, Inc., based in Seattle, is the recognized leader in streaming media delivery on the Internet. It develops and markets software products and services designed to enable users of personal computers and other consumer electronic devices to send and receive audio, video and other multimedia services using the Web. Consumers can access and experience audio/video programming and download RealNetwork's consumer software on the Internet at http://www.real.com. Information about RealNetworks' streaming media and digital delivery systems, as well as corporate information, is available at http://www.realnetworks.com.

RealNetworks continues to maintain a strong leadership share of the streaming media market. As of December 1999, there are more than 90 million unique users of RealPlayer and more than 85% of all streaming media Web pages on the Internet use industry leading RealAudio, RealVideo, RealFlash, RealText or RealPix, and more than 350,000 hours of live RealAudio and RealVideo programming are available each week (Source: Hotbot).

Covad Communications is the leading national broadband services provider of high-speed Internet and network access utilizing DSL (digital subscriber line) technology. It offers DSL services through Internet Service Providers to small and medium-sized businesses and home users. Covad services are currently available across the United States in 56 of the top Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) and will be available in 100 MSAs by the end of 2000. At that time, Covad's network will reach more than 40 percent of all US homes and 45 percent of all US businesses. Covad Communications and its affiliates, doing business as Covad Communications Company, are wholly owned subsidiaries of Covad Communications Group, Inc. Corporate headquarters is located in Santa Clara, CA. FMI: 1-888-GO-COVAD. Web Site: www.covad.com.