RealNetworks' Rhapsody Subscribers Stream More Than 28 Million Songs On-Demand In October; Award-Winning Internet Jukebox Service Passes Million-Song-Per-Day Threshold for First Time, As Consumer Usage Jumps More Than 33%.

RealNetworks(R), Inc. , the global leader in digital media services and software for consumers and businesses, today announced that consumer usage of the Rhapsody Internet jukebox service jumped sharply again in October as a wider audience of consumers used the service to find and enjoy the music they love. Rhapsody subscribers streamed more than 28 million on-demand songs in October, an average rate of over 900,000 songs per day and an increase of more than 33% in subscribers' on-demand listening since September.

RealNetworks also announced that Rhapsody subscribers crossed a major new threshold earlier this month by streaming over one million on-demand songs in a single 24-hour period, further evidence of consumers' growing interest in Rhapsody as the natural successor to illegal file-sharing and the best way to enjoy digital music online. Today's news comes just one week after RealNetworks announced that more than 250,000 consumers subscribed to its premium music services at the end of the company's fiscal third quarter (September 30), including Rhapsody and the RealOne RadioPass Internet radio service, making RealNetworks the clear leader in providing subscription music services to online consumers.

"Rhapsody has caught on with music fans because it gives them access to the 30,000-album music collection they've always dreamed about, and lets them listen as much as they want without paying $1 per song," said Sean Ryan, vice president of music services, RealNetworks. "This 'all-you-can-eat' model has helped make Rhapsody the leading music service for consumers with a fast Internet connection, a healthy dose of musical curiosity and the desire to listen to their favorite artists, albums and playlists from any Web-connected PC."

Rhapsody's Top 10 artists in October include acts currently at the top of the Billboard 200(TM) album chart, as well as other musicians that are consistently popular with subscribers. In October, the Top 10 most popular artists in Rhapsody were:

   -- Outkast   -- Dido   -- Coldplay   -- Eminem   -- Sting   -- Limp Bizkit   -- The Rolling Stones   -- 3 Doors Down   -- 50 Cent   -- Pink Floyd   

Rhapsody offers unlimited access to a broad library of major and independent label music, with more than 400,000 tracks available for on-demand streaming and more than 330,000 songs available for purchase at the industry-leading price of 79 cents for any track. In addition to burning full albums or custom mix CDs, Rhapsody subscribers can build their own custom Internet radio stations, listen to professionally programmed stations, and browse extensive music information and editorial recommendations.

About Rhapsody

RealNetworks' Rhapsody(R) is the number one Internet jukebox subscription service. The award-winning Rhapsody offers consumers unlimited access to more than 30,000 albums of music from all five major music companies and more than 200 of the world's most prominent independent labels. In 2003, Rhapsody has been honored with a PC World 2003 World Class Award for "Best Streaming Audio Service," a PC Magazine Editors' Choice Award, and a PC World Best Buy Award. The service is available as RealOne Rhapsody via RealNetworks, with a 14-day free trial, for $9.95 a month at http://www.real.com/. Rhapsody is also distributed to consumers through co-branded versions of the service by Audiogalaxy, Best Buy, Cablevision Systems Corporation's Optimum Online(R), Charter Communications, Down Beat, Gateway, JamBase.com, Lycos, RCN Corporation, Time Warner Cable's Road Runner high-speed ISP, Sony's Musiclub, Speakeasy, Sprint, and Verizon Online.

About RealNetworks

RealNetworks, Inc. is the global leader in digital media services and software for consumers and businesses. Consumers use RealNetworks' RealOne Player and the content subscription services it offers to create and play free and premium digital content. Broadcasters, network operators, media companies and enterprises use RealNetworks' products and services to 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/ .

NOTE: RealNetworks, RealOne, and Rhapsody are trademarks or registered trademarks of RealNetworks, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: Matt Graves of RealNetworks, +1-415-934-2159, or mgraves@real.com

Web site: http://www.real.com/

Web site: http://www.realnetworks.com/