The arrangement will be mutually beneficial as RealNetworks will be given access to AOL’s 23 million members and AOL will be able to deliver better quality audio and visual products to its customers.
The president of AOL Interactive Services, Barry Schuler stated:
“We are pleased to work with RealNetworks to deliver a seamless, high-quality streaming digital media experience to our members... Our goal has always been to provide our members and users of our web-based brands with the best possible interactive experience, and our new agreement with RealNetworks will help us do just that.”
According to the arrangement, Realplayer and the Netscape Browser will now be distributed together through Netcenter. Also, RealNetworks, will offer software enabling users to register with AOL’s services when distributing its RealPlayer technology in future.