The RealAudio Player is part of a distributed client server audio-on-demand delivery system introduced by PN Tuesday.

The RealAudio system enables Internet and online users equipped with conventional multimedia personal computers and voice-grade telephone lines to browse, select and play back audio or audio-based multimedia content on demand, in real time, as easily as using a standard videocassette player/recorder.

This is a breakthrough compared with the delivery of audio over conventional online methods, in which audio is downloaded at a rate that is five to 10 times longer than the actual program -- e.g., the listener must wait 25 minutes before listening to just five minutes of audio.

"We're excited about the Progressive Network technology and the value it can add to Netscape's products," said Marc Andreessen, vice president of technology at Netscape Communications.

"We think customers will be enthusiastic about listening to audio broadcasts over the Internet using RealAudio, and we look forward to working with Progressive Networks to make RealAudio widespread and ubiquitous on the Net."

About Progressive Networks
Progressive Networks, based in Seattle, develops and markets software products and services designed to enable users of personal computers and other digital devices to send and receive audio and audio-based multimedia services using the existing infrastructure.