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REALPLAYER AND REALVIDEO 10 WILL BE THE EXCLUSIVE FORMAT FOR AMERICAN IDOL SEASON THREE CONTENT ON THE OFFICIAL INTERNET SITE IDOLONFOX.COM
SEATTLE, February 5, 2004 — Fox Broadcasting Company, FremantleMedia North America, Inc., 19 Entertainment and RealNetworks® (NASDAQ: RNWK) announced today that FOX, FremantleMedia and 19 will use RealVideo® 10 as the exclusive format for "American Idol" season three content on the official Internet site, idolonfox.com.
"The American Idol web site has become a tremendously popular destination for millions of our fans, and video segments are among the most popular content on the site," said Carolyn Gray, vice president of online entertainment at FOX. "We are delighted to announce that RealVideo 10 will be the exclusive video format for www.idolonfox.com."
"Extending the American Idol experience across a broad range of media is a key focus for us" said Keith Hindle, vice president of interactive and integrated marketing for FremantleMedia who along with 19 Entertainment own and produce the show. "Idolonfox.com is a great site with rich content, so we are very pleased to offer video content in RealVideo 10 to enhance the experience."
"RealNetworks is thrilled to work with FOX on the third season of American Idol, offering fans the best experience on the Internet to view contestants as they vie for the top spot. RealPlayer offers the best quality audio and video, which are crucial to these fans. Consumers today expect a seamless and consistent media experience which they get with RealVideo 10," said Richard Wolpert, chief strategic officer of RealNetworks, Inc.
Beginning its third season, American Idol returns with America's favorite host, Ryan Seacrest, and judges Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson who lend their professional expertise, personal comments and often poorly received criticism to this season's new crop of aspiring singers. American Idol’s third season is already a phenomenon with over 57 million viewers watching all or part of the American Idol (three episode) premiere week, making the return of American Idol the biggest television event of the season.
With a massive base of RealPlayer users throughout the world, RealNetworks complements the online component of an already tremendous following of American Idol. RealVideo 10 delivers a break-through improvement of 30% in efficiency over RealVideo 9, offering Idol fans the best video quality available. RealPlayer 10, released this month and available for free download from www.real.com, is the easiest and most full-featured RealPlayer ever, with a new design, support for every major media format, and the best quality video and audio.
The companies are not disclosing terms of the deal.
For More Information:
Maureen (Moe) Farley, RealNetworks, 206-892-6653, mfarley@real.com
ABOUT FOX
FOX Broadcasting Company (FOX) is a division of Fox Entertainment Group, Inc.
FOX delivers a high concentration of Adult 18-49 viewers while dominating all network competition in the more targeted Adults 18-34 and Teen demographics. FOX airs 15 hours of primetime programming a week as well as late night entertainment programming, major sports and Sunday morning news.
Fox Entertainment Group, Inc., 82% owned by The News Corporation Limited (NYSE: NWS), is principally engaged in the development, production and worldwide distribution of feature films and television programs, television broadcasting and cable network programming. Fox has total assets as of September 30, 2003 of approximately US$24 billion and total annual revenues of approximately US$11 billion. The Company's studios, production facilities and film and television library provide high-quality creative content, and the Company's broadcasting and cable networks provide extensive distribution platforms for the Company's programs.
ABOUT FREMANTLEMEDIA
FremantleMedia is one of the largest producers of entertainment programs and serial dramas in the world, producing over 260 original programs in more than 40 countries each year. FremantleMedia North America produces such classic favorites as The Price is Right and Family Feud, and, with 19TV, the recent smash reality hit American Idol. FremantleMedia is the content business production arm of the RTL Group, Europe’s largest television and radio company, with interests in 23 television channels and 22 radio stations in nine European countries.
FremantleMedia Licensing North America is a market leader in brand extension, with off-screen activities in merchandising, slot machines, online, mobile telephony, and retail products
ABOUT 19 ENTERTAINMENT
19 Entertainment, founded by Simon Fuller, is one of the world's premier music based entertainment companies, responsible for the management of many of the world's leading artists, such as Annie Lennox, the Spice Girls and S Club, as well as building an enviable roster of songwriters and producers responsible for producing over 200 top 40 hit albums and singles and 75 No.1 singles and albums in the UK and USA alone. 19 is also the creator of the most popular TV show in the UK in 2002, "Pop Idol," the format of which is now rolling out worldwide in conjunction with FremantleMedia.
ABOUT REALNETWORKS
RealNetworks, Inc. is the leading creator of digital media services and software including the award-winning Rhapsody Internet jukebox service and the new RealPlayer 10 to find, play and manage the best free and premium digital content. Broadcasters, network operators, media companies and enterprises use RealNetworks' products and services to create and 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.
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