AOL will be a giant in music commerce. Just wait...

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America Online has announced a range of initiatives that will transform the online music experience for AOL members and other Internet users by offering new ways to discover, experience and own music in one familiar, easy-to-use environment, and lay a foundation for innovations ranging from new forms of music programming to subscription-based online music services.

The company announced two new offerings, the Artist Discovery Network, an all-new outlet for music fans featuring content from major and independent record companies, and Radio@AOL, a breakthrough new service that transforms the conventional radio experience. These initiatives, together with a range of new enhancements to the service's popular music offerings and content, will allow AOL to provide the online audience -ranging from die-hard fans to the casual listener - with a depth, breadth and level of convenience that consumers have not had before in a single, integrated music platform.

The initiatives announced today extend AOL Music's own leading properties - the AOL Music Channel, SpinnerTM and WinampTM - which together are visited by nearly 25 million unique users each month. AOL's Music Channel alone had 23 million unique users last month and was the #1 music destination for June, according to Media Metrix. Spinner.com continues to be the most popular Internet radio offering, with over 150 channels of original programming, while the Winamp player now has more than 90 million registered installations, more than triple the number from a year ago.

Kevin Conroy, Senior Vice President and Head of AOL Music, said: "The programming, products and services we're introducing will expand opportunities for consumers to experience music in a variety of ways. AOL's wide range of music assets and expertise positions us to drive the growth of digital music and make the Internet even more central to members' lives."

AOL's integrated applications weave together the ability to listen to Internet radio, to access information about artists and music content, to play CDs and download music, and to connect with an online music community, and make it more convenient for consumers to enjoy and personalize music online. AOL's integrated music offerings will also help to fuel the growing adoption of broadband by linking today's digital music experience with services designed to take advantage of faster high-speed, "always on" connections.

New AOL Music Initiatives
· AOL Artist Discovery Network lets members discover the best of online music such as premiere original programming, in-depth artist information, genre-based "Listening Lounges," and localized content via direct zip code links to AOL Local's music pages. Artist Discovery Network will feature content from major and independent record labels including Arista, Ark 21, Atlantic, Dreamworks, Elektra, Grand Royal, J Records, Priority, RCA, RLG, TVT and Warner Bros., as well as the rich programming and editorial perspectives of partners such as Digital Club Network CNN Worldbeat, and National Public Radio (AOL Keyword: Artist Discovery Network).

· Radio@AOL blends traditional radio features with top-of-the-line original content, programming from leading partners and integrated retail offerings. Launching this fall, the breakthrough new radio service will take its place on the toolbar of America Online's next-generation AOL 7.0, where it will become a key part of the AOL experience for the service's over 30 million members. Among the 50-plus channels of innovative programming at Radio@AOL, members will find news, information and entertainment, as well as AOL exclusive programming, including an interactive weekly countdown show, celebrity-programmed and kids-only channels, holiday features and other original offerings.

Artist Discovery Network and Radio@AOL join a wide range of enhanced features and services to help consumers discover, experience and own music online, including:
· Ground ZeroTM, AOL Music's weekly new music show featuring host Chris Douridas, will now offer members in search of the hottest new music the chance to peruse archives of content from Chris' wide-ranging, intimate interviews and live performances from both established and up-and-coming musicians. This week Ground Zero presents singer/songwriter Ani DiFranco performing songs from her all-new album Revelling/Reckoning.

· "Artist of the Month," AOL Music's innovative multimedia showcase for top artists - such as Janet Jackson and Sugar Ray and current "Artist of the Month," P. Diddy - brings members content ranging from video sneak previews and global listening parties to exclusive tracks, advance ticket sales, news, photos and more across AOL's music properties. Next month, AOL Music will spotlight 'NSYNC.

· SpinnerTM 4.0, the recently released version of AOL's number one Internet-based radio service featuring easier access to the richest selection of original audio programming. Available now at www.spinner.com, Spinner gives listeners over 150 channels of originally programmed music.

· AOL Media Player, a new enhanced version of the popular and easy-to-use multimedia player that supports all major audio formats will debut in the new AOL 7.0 service this fall and offer CD playback.

· AOL Music Search, a new music-centric search engine that enables members to easily explore the music universe via song clips, images and links to both leading content and retailing partners such as Rolling Stone and CD Now.

· MusicNetTM, the online subscription music service scheduled to launch later this year, will give members the ability buy and listen to digital music within the convenient AOL environment from one of the world's largest libraries.

Later this year, AOL will also launch a variety of new music features such as customizable radio, a sophisticated music recommendation tool for a more personal listening experience and expanded access to exclusive broadband content. All products will focus on making it easy for consumers to explore the music they love, to interact with artists and other fans, and to obtain digital music, concert tickets and related products.

 

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