MusicNet Announces Delivery of Entire Music Library In Windows Media 9 Series

Windows Media 9 Series Offers Fast Streaming and Extensive Device Support For MusicNet Distributors

NEW YORK and REDMOND, Wash. - June 12, 2003 MusicNet, a leading digital music company, today announced it now offers its entire music library of audio tracks in Microsoft® Windows Media® 9 Series. The MusicNet service offers more than 350,000 songs from all five major labels and leading independents. This marks the first time a digital music service has offered everything from permanent downloads, CD burning, broad device support and multiple file formats.

With the availability of audio tracks in Windows Media 9 Series, MusicNet enables its distribution partners to deliver high-quality audio downloads as well as instant-on streaming experiences to music fans with Fast Streaming technology in Windows Media® Services 9 Series, a feature of the recently released Microsoft Windows Server(tm) 2003. Fast Streaming can deliver virtual instant-on playback for users of Windows Media Player 9 Series when they are streaming music clips on broadband connections. In addition, MusicNet distribution partners can provide their customers with extensive device flexibility with Windows Media on more than 50 supported portable music devices. With Windows Media, devices can support two times as much music as other formats without sacrificing quality delivering consumers more music with more choice.

"This milestone marks the first time a digital music service has offered multiple file formats," said Alan McGlade, president and CEO of MusicNet. "The addition of Windows Media 9 Series gives MusicNet a clear advantage in offering music fans high-quality audio tracks through our distribution partners. This announcement furthers MusicNet's strategy to build a flexible suite of service offerings that are customized for each distributor."

"This is a significant step in the evolution of digital music distribution and MusicNet is an important player in this arena," said Dave Fester, general manager of Microsoft Windows Digital Media Division. "MusicNet's adoption of Windows Media 9 Series offers consumers near instantaneous playback of hundreds of thousands of tracks in the highest quality audio available, and the option for fans to enjoy their favorite artists' songs on an array of portable devices."

About MusicNet
MusicNet is a leading digital music company. The most widely distributed digital music service for streaming, downloading and burning music online, MusicNet offers the music of major and independent record labels - including Warner Music Group, BMG Entertainment, EMI Recorded Music, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Zomba, Ritmoteca, Brentwood Music and Sanctuary. As both a service and music content provider, MusicNet supports companies seeking to fully integrate digital music services into their online music offerings.

About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software - any time, any place and on any device.

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