SoapCity Announces SoapCity Radio™ Initiative; New Subscription-Based Service to be Powered by RealNetworks

PRNewswire
CULVER CITY, Calif.
04/09/2002

Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment's SoapCity, The Soap Opera Capital of the World™, today unveiled plans to launch SoapCity Radio™, a subscription-based service to offer full-length audio versions of soap opera episodes streamed over the Internet. The SoapCity Radio service will commence with on-demand, classic episodes of "The Young and the Restless" and "Days of our Lives." Real Broadcast Network™ (RBN), the content delivery network division of RealNetworks®, Inc., will power the service with their outsourced media solution.

"The creation of SoapCity Radio speaks to our passion for soaps and our commitment to deliver exclusive content and entertainment value to consumers," said Mary Coller, vice president and general manager of SoapCity, "Offering a new media edge to the classic radio format, the birthplace of this incredibly popular genre, truly allows us to serve today's wired soap opera fan."

Said Patrick Kennedy, senior vice president of Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment, "SoapCity Radio is a great example of how our Digital Networks Division is dedicated to creating, designing and launching services that are uniquely optimized for consumers and the new distribution channel of IP- enabled networks."

SoapCity Radio will enable soap fans to engage in commercial free, classic episodes previously unavailable in any other format. The service is scheduled to launch this spring and will be accessible exclusively through SoapCity.com.

Real Broadcast Network™ (RBN) will provide all back-end hosting and management for SoapCity Radio, including subscriber management, content distribution, e-commerce infrastructure and customer service.

"We are thrilled that SoapCity has selected RealNetworks to deliver their top quality content exclusively in our format and power their Internet-based subscription service with RBN's Managed Subscription Service," said Nagesh Pabbisetty, vice president, Real Broadcast Network, RealNetworks, Inc. "This new service provides a turn-key subscription solution for media companies seeking new e-commerce opportunities and stronger brand alliance with online audiences."

About SoapCity:

SoapCity, The Soap Opera Capital of the World™, located at http://www.soapcity.com/ and AOL Keyword: "SoapCity", is Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment's premiere soap opera destination and the exclusive soap content provider to Yahoo! TV. With over 1.4 million unique users a month, the site provides extensive coverage updated daily, for all daytime dramas. In addition, the SoapCity Network includes official websites for top soap talent as well for the shows "The Young and the Restless," "Days of our Lives," "Guiding Light" and "As the World Turns." SoapCity is driven by a fan-based community eager to connect with their favorite shows. With daily updates, up- to-the-minute news, fashion and style reviews, and its e-commerce destination, The SoapCity Store, SoapCity has emerged as the number one soap opera entertainment hub.

About Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment

Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment (SPDE), an operating unit of Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), oversees the activities of SPE's digital production and online assets including Sony Pictures Imageworks, Sony Online Entertainment, the Digital Networks Division which includes SoapCity and Screenblast, and Sony Pictures Integrated Network (SPIN), which represents the studio's online promotional presence. SPDE focuses on three areas: 1) producing and developing visual effects and computer-generated imaging (CGI), digital character animation, and original content for motion picture, television, online and PlayStation audiences; 2) developing new forms of online content, games and interactive programming; and 3) leading SPE's efforts to provide online, open-access video-on-demand, interactive television and wireless entertainment.

About Real Broadcast Network

Real Broadcast Network (RBN) is the content delivery network division of RealNetworks, Inc., and is a recognized leader in providing Internet broadcasting solutions, outsourced media solutions and advanced advertising capabilities through streaming media. RBN is one of the largest hosting solutions providers worldwide, supporting hundreds of radio stations, TV stations and cable networks, as well as broadcasting thousands of discrete online events each month. Consumer audiences are ensured a high quality Internet media experience from narrowband to broadband when experiencing content that is delivered over RBN's distributed network through partnerships with leading backbones and ISPs worldwide. RBN's corporate information is located on the Internet at http://www.rbn.com/ .

About RealNetworks

RealNetworks, Inc., based in Seattle, is the global leader in Internet media delivery. 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 RealNetworks consumer software on the Internet at http://www.real.com/ . All RealNetworks systems and corporate information is located on the Internet at http://www.realnetworks.com/ .

RealNetworks, RBN and Real Broadcast Network are trademarks or registered trademarks of RealNetworks, Inc.

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SOURCE: Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment

Contact: Sal Cataldi, sal@cataldipr.com, or Carrie Nork of Cataldi
Public Relations, +1-212-244-9797; or Susan Wright of Sony Pictures Digital
Entertainment, +1-310-840-8621, swright@sonypictures.com; or Cara Jacobson of
RealNetworks, +1-206-674-2234, caraj@real.com

Website: http://www.rbn.com/

Website: http://www.realnetworks.com/

Website: http://www.real.com/

Website: http://www.soapcity.com/

Website: http://www.spe.sony.com/