Real-Warner Bros. Webcast dispute called "war".
Published:
17 November 1999 y., Wednesday
RealNetworks has lost a high-profile Hollywood deal after becoming embroiled in a bitter dispute with Warner Bros. over Webcast branding, sources say, opening the door to rival Microsoft in the process. RealNetworks, by far the leader in streaming video and audio on the Web, had been in negotiations with Warner Bros. to Webcast the Drew Carey Show simultaneously with an airing of the TV program on ABC. The two companies had also discussed the use of RealNetworks technology and distribution channels for Metallica_s "S&M" album. Warner representatives said those talks collapsed, leading the company to turn to Microsoft_s streaming technologies instead. Details of the dispute were not disclosed, but studio executives said they involved brash demands by RealNetworks to promote its brand. The loss of the deal to archrival Microsoft is a clear blow to RealNetworks, particularly as industry figures show that the software giant may be gaining ground in the digital media market. Moreover, the fallout with a major Hollywood studio could bode ill for future deals in an industry that is infamous for exacting revenge. "We_re totally at war with RealNetworks," one Warner executive declared. While the Seattle company_s RealPlayer is used in most live Internet music and video broadcasts, Warner Bros. will give its business to Microsoft_s Windows Media player, at least in this instance. Warner, a subsidiary of Time Warner, refused to disclose the terms of its deal, saying only that Microsoft--in contrast to RealNetworks--"knows how to value content." The move indicates that some media executives are growing frustrated with RealNetworks_ ability to use its huge installed base of 88 million customers in negotiating online distribution deals. The company has built one of the most popular sites on the Web by aggregating content from some of the largest media organizations.
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
During the meeting, which took place on 3 September 2009 the Bank of Lithuania approved the transaction, according to which AB Bank SNORAS will acquire 100 percent of the shares of AB “Finasta įmonių finansai” owning AB bank “Finasta”.
more »
The European Commission tabled yesterday its proposal on fishing possibilities for fish stocks in the Baltic Sea for 2010.
more »
Members of the Civil Liberties Committee voiced concern on Thursday over the interim agreement under negotiation between the EU and the United States on data transfers via the SWIFT network.
more »
Consumers in Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovenia now have access to consumer magazines and websites, which provide independent, comparative testing of consumer products, following a three-year EU project co-financed by the European Commission.
more »
Funds management company “SNORAS Asset Management” will establish the first alternative investment fund in Lithuania - “SAM Renewable Energy Fund”.
more »
The re-launched Lisbon Partnership for growth and jobs has put innovation and entrepreneurship at the centre and called for decisive and more coherent action by the Community and the Member States in view of mastering the shift towards knowledge based low carbon economy.
more »
Helping dairy farmers now, as well as restructuring the dairy sector in the long run, is the way out of the current milk market crisis, Agriculture Committee MEPs told Agriculture Commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel in a debate on Tuesday.
more »
The EU is phasing out traditional light bulbs over the next three years in favour of a new generation of energy-efficient lighting.
more »
Lithuania increases the VAT rate from 19 % to 21 % from September 1, 2009.
more »
Two recent joint missions from three development finance institutions helped Thailand identify low carbon projects that could be eligible for Clean Technology Fund financing.
more »