LISTEN TUNES INTO TUNETO.COM
While terms of the deal weren't disclosed, Listen.com CEO Rob Reid said TuneTo's new technology addresses some "major problems" for Internet radio and other ventures based on streaming.
Rather than sending digital information all at once in a continuous stream, TuneTo has developed technology that initially distributes player software to consumers that contains a major chunk of the data that they will later need to play music. After that, broadcasters only need to send about 1,000 bits of data per second for high-quality sound, a hell of a lot less than what is currently being used for ordinary streaming.
TuneTo's infrastructure is seen as an easier way to deliver music to wireless users. Typically, transmission speeds are substantially slower in a wireless world than in the desktop arena. In addition, Listen.com is hoping TuneTo technology will be viewed as the most sensible way to offer subscription services.
Listen also announced today that it had formed an alliance with interactive entertainment network eUniverse. The two companies will provide music products and services to more than 18 million unique monthly visitors through a co-branded site located at http://listen.euniverse.com/.
"As a consistently top-ranked Internet destination, eUniverse wanted to diversify its offerings and add a music component to its network to meet the growing needs of its loyal visitors," said Sean Ryan, Listen.com President/COO. "We are pleased to offer eUniverse's expansive user base the high-quality music products that their consumers will enjoy. And these deals serve to divert attention from the fact that our stock continues to tank. "
