RealNetworks Unveils New Wireless Media Push

SAN FRANCISCO (Dow Jones) - Stepping up its long-running competition with Microsoft, RealNetworks unveiled a new partnership Wednesday designed to boost its presence in the growing market for mobile phone-based content.

At the CTIA Entertainment Conference in San Francisco on Wednesday, RealNetworks (RNWK) announced two key partnerships with Cingular Wireless for mobile multimedia software and video games.

The Seattle-based company said it would provide a new mobile TV product delivering news and sports -- called "rTV" - to both Cingular and Sprint customers. Real also said its RealArcade casual games catalogue will now be available via subscription for Cingular customers.

In a keynote presentation at CTIA, Real chief executive Rob Glaser unveiled the company's HelixOnlineTV technology, a streaming audio and video software product with wireless and Internet capabilities. The move marks Real's first efforts to provide interactive TV for handsets and PCs.

The announcements set that stage for a similar battle between Real and Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) for media player software on cell phones that has played out in the world of personal computing. Currently, Verizon Wireless (VZ) uses Microsoft's media software for news and entertainment video clips.

Real is also making a push for video game subscription revenue with its RealArcade game pass service, which will be available to Cingular customers for $5.99 a month. One-off game subscriptions will be available for $2.49 a month. The new offering allows customers to sample mobile-content products before subscribing.

Earlier this week, Real said that RealArcade would be available for Britain's O2 subscribers.

Last week, Real launched Rhapsody Radio -- a streaming music product -- on Sprint's (S) Network.

Real said its streaming audio and video technology can be found on 70 wireless carriers on 50 different handset models totaling 30 million units.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires"

Posted to the site on 28th September 2005