Daytime Drama Returns to 'Radio' at SoapCity™

Listen to Your Favorite Soaps When & Where You Want New Subscription-Based Service - SoapCity Radio™ Debuting in Time for Daytime Emmy Day, May 17

PRNewswire
CULVER CITY, Calif.
05/16/2002

Soap opera fans will now have a new way to relive classic episodes of two of television's most popular daytime dramas -- through online radio. Sony Pictures Digital Entertainment's SoapCity.com, The Soap Opera Capital of the World®, is now launching SoapCity Radio™, the only place to get full-length, classic audio episodes of "The Young and the Restless" and "Days of our Lives" streamed directly to your computer. This new subscription-based service allows fans to listen to some of their favorite shows where and when they want to -- at home or in the office -- without commercial interruption. In addition, each scene is enhanced with synchronized photos and easy to follow character and location listings. A subscription to SoapCity Radio will also provide access to behind-the-scenes specials, exclusive photos, interactive bonuses and more.

The service will debut just in time for daytime's biggest event, the 29th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, on May 17, 2002. The cost is $6.99 per month for access to a month's worth of episodes from "The Young and the Restless" and "Days of our Lives." SoapCity will rollout a new episode every weekday, and each episode will be available for a two week period from the day of posting. For a limited time, subscribers to SoapCity Radio will get a free two-week trial.

"SoapCity Radio is a way that fans can connect with and relive the histories of their favorite characters," said Mary Coller, vice president and general manager of SoapCity. "It's another way SoapCity is bringing a new media edge to two true American classics, radio and the soap opera."

The history of daytime drama began on radio in 1926 when household tips and home products were incorporated within "serials" geared toward housewives. The continuous dramas (or "operas") quickly became known as "soap operas" thanks to the abundance of soap products plugged during each show.

SoapCity Radio's classic content will commence with two of the most memorable storylines in soap opera history. For "The Young and the Restless" fans, modem mavens can jump right to the heart of daytime's longest-running catfight, with classic 1998 episodes showing Jill Foster and Catherine Chancellor (actresses Jess Walton and Jeannie Cooper) struggling for control of the Chancellor mansion. "Days of our Lives" picks up with a 1994 storyline focused on popular actress Deidre Hall and her character Dr. Marlena Evans, who becomes "possessed" when Satan comes back to Salem.

Real Broadcast Network™ (RBN), the content delivery network division of RealNetworks®, Inc., 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 fans will be using the RealOne Player to listen to classic episodes of top soap operas," said Nagesh Pabbisetty, vice president, Real Broadcast Network, RealNetworks, Inc. "SoapCity's new service is powered by RBN's Managed Subscription Service and will provide soap opera enthusiasts with an easy-to-use and compelling online experience."

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. Its first subscription service, a partnership with Real Networks called SoapCity Radio®, enables computer-users to download enhanced audio versions of archival episodes of some of their favorite daytime dramas.

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/ .

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

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SOURCE: SoapCity

Contact: Sal Cataldi, sal@cataldipr.com, or Carrie Nork, both 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.spe.sony.com/

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