RealNetworks

RealNetworks [ ɹi ː əl ˌ ː ks nɛtwɝ ] (originally Progressive Networks ) is a company based in Seattle, Washington state that offers different products in the streaming media field.

History

The former Progressive Networks already developed in 1994 a protocol for transmitting audio and video data in real- time: RealAudio.

The product range includes among others the Helix Media Delivery Platform, the streaming client RealPlayer and RealVideo. Other products include Real Music, VidZone Jukebox and Games Software RealArcade (since October 2001).

By 1999, Philip Rosedale was CTO of the company, he then founded Linden Lab.

After even Microsoft and Apple went into the market of streaming solutions, the company came under increasing pressure and was probably in order to secure market share for the in-house formats, 2002 parts of the source code freely, which have since been further developed as open source in the Helix Project.

Since mid-2004, RealNetworks also operates the online music service Real Music Store, which is based on the acquired together with Listen.com Rhapsody and is designed as a competitor to Apple's successful iTunes Store.

CEO Rob Glaser is. RealNetworks maintains several strategic partnerships, including with the music magazine Rolling Stone, BBC News, CNN, MTV, and Euro News.