RealNetworks Opens Window

Will the real most popular audio player please stand up?

Just one day after Windows Media announced a licensing agreement with RealNetworks, claiming it was the most prolific audio format on the Internet by citing Media Metrix, RealNetworks countered by saying the same source called its RealJukebox the #1 digital jukebox product. According to Media Metrix, Windows Media software is in over 100 million households, while RealNetworks claims more than 95 million unique registered users and more than 85 percent of all streaming media Web pages on the Internet.

RealNetwork's RealJukebox now supports eight different audio formats, including MP3, RealAudio, AT&T's a2b, IBM's EMMS, Liquid Audio, Mjuice, Sony Music's ATRAC3 and Universal Music Group/InterTrust, six of which are currently available.

After RealNetworks licensed the Windows Media Audio format, it enabled the company to support an additional 2 percent of audio programming available on the Internet. Once the Windows Media Audio format is made available, consumers can use RealJukebox exclusively for one-click access to virtually all the audio content available on the Internet.

"Supporting the widest range of formats is yet another way RealNetworks is demonstrating to consumers its commitment to providing the best digital music experience," said RealNetworks, Inc. Consumer Division GM Steve Banfield. "And this way, all the money doesn't go into Bill Gates' pocket."