REDMOND, Wash., Aug. 5, 1999 — Microsoft Corp. today announced that WindowsMedia.com ( http://windowsmedia.com/ ), part of the MSN TM network of Internet services, is the fastest-growing major audio and video guide on the Internet and now is listed among the top 50 most visited sites on the Web. In addition, Microsoft unveiled Music Download Search, the most comprehensive online search engine for downloadable music.
WindowsMedia.com has seen the fastest growth among major audio and video portal sites, with a 70 percent increase since January 1999, according to the May 1999 Media Metrix WorldWide Web Audience Ratings report*. WindowsMedia.com has also moved into the top 50 most visited Web sites (by traffic), according to Alexa Internet.
”
The Windows Media TM platform is about enabling new opportunities,”
said Will Poole, senior director of marketing, Streaming Media Division, Microsoft.
“WindowsMedia.com delivers on our vision by connecting Windows Media partners with the tens of millions of consumers who benefit from using Windows Media Player.”
With WindowsMedia.com, users of Windows Media-compatible players can now easily access major music and video events from over 1,000 content providers, including popular events such as Woodstock 99 and exclusive downloads from artists such as the Beastie Boys and Sugar Ray.
Woodstock 99, which was the largest online music event in history, offered exclusive online access to the festival’s performances via Windows Media Player. Windows Media has also been chosen by popular content providers such as LAUNCH.com and MSNBC.com.
“At LAUNCH, our focus is on creating the premier Internet destination for discovering new music. A large part of delivering on this promise is the incorporation of the high-quality audio and video offered by Windows Media Technologies,”
said Dave Goldberg, CEO of LAUNCH Media Inc.
“Microsoft WindowsMedia.com delivers the exciting content on LAUNCH.com to millions of users.”
WindowsMedia.com users can now use Music Download Search, which utilizes the powerful MSN Search technology to access downloadable music in the most popular formats, including Windows Media Audio (WMA), MP3, MIDI and others.
To meet the worldwide demand for high-quality audio and video, WindowsMedia.com provides access to localized content to users in 16 countries, access to over 600 radio stations from around the globe, and on July 14 launched WindowsMedia.com Japan, the Japanese version of the audio and video guide. In addition, over 200,000 subscribers currently receive the free weekly WindowsMedia.com newsletter. To subscribe, users should visit http://windowsmedia.com/ .
About Windows Media Technologies
Windows Media Technologies, which includes Windows Media Player, Windows Media Services, Windows Media Tools and Windows Media Audio SDK, is available now for free download at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/ (connect-time charges may apply). Nearly 40 million copies – more than one every second – of the free Windows Media Player have been downloaded. The latest release, Windows Media Technologies 4.0, provides
consumers with access to high-quality digital media, and content providers, solution providers, software developers and corporations with the industry’s best audio and video solution.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
*Audio and video guide category defined by Microsoft. It includes WindowsMedia.com, Real.com, other RealNetworks sites, Broadcast.com, Broadcast.com sites, and MP3.com.
Microsoft, MSN and Windows Media are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
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