Speakeasy Brings Premium Internet Radio Service to its Members
Listen.com's RHAPSODY Radio PLUS Offered to Speakeasy Subscribers at No Charge
FOR RELEASE: February 3, 2003
SEATTLE—Speakeasy, the nation's largest independent broadband provider, and online music company Listen.com today announced an agreement to give Speakeasy members one full year of access to Listen.com's premium Internet radio service, RHAPSODY Radio PLUS, at no extra charge. RHAPSODY Radio PLUS enables users to program their own Internet radio stations with music from their favorite artists, offers more than 50 professionally programmed stations, and allows users to skip tracks they don't want to hear.
Speakeasy is one of the first broadband companies in the U.S. to bundle entertainment choices seamlessly within a member's account. Speakeasy will provide one year of free access to RHAPSODY Radio PLUS service (normally $4.95 per month) to existing and new subscribers who register before July 15, 2003. Subscribers can also upgrade to the "All Access" plan of Listen.com's CD-quality RHAPSODY digital music service for just $9.95 per month (a cost which includes a RHAPSODY Radio PLUS subscription).
"Once again, Speakeasy is setting the broadband standard with our longtime and aggressive support of Listen.com and its premium music services," said Mike Apgar, Speakeasy CEO. "Speakeasy continues to improve our members' broadband experience with easy, one-step entertainment solutions."
New or existing Speakeasy subscribers can get access to the free RHAPSODY Radio PLUS service via a simple, one-step registration system at www.speakeasy.net/rhapsody. To register, users enter their Speakeasy username and password. RHAPSODY Radio PLUS is a high-fidelity, 128 Kbps streaming radio service that gives music lovers a way to easily explore and enjoy more music. Radio PLUS lets subscribers be their own DJ, choosing from more than 50 genre-based radio stations programmed by Listen.com's team of music experts, or building custom stations with music from their favorite artists.
Speakeasy users also have the option to subscribe to RHAPSODY's All Access plan, a comprehensive service that offers music fans unlimited access to more than 275,000 music tracks - the world's largest library of on-demand digital music - in addition to Radio PLUS. RHAPSODY All Access subscribers can build extensive personal music collections, create playlists of their favorite music, and explore the service's extensive music recommendations and information. In addition, RHAPSODY All Access enables subscribers to burn custom mixes for a minimal per-track fee, and enjoy that music in any standard CD player.
"Speakeasy has been an avid supporter of RHAPSODY from the beginning, and we are pleased they are making it more convenient for their users to enjoy Radio PLUS," said Listen.com CEO Sean Ryan. "By bundling Radio PLUS with customers' broadband service, Speakeasy is at the forefront of an industry trend that makes it easier to get music into consumers' hands. In the coming months, we will continue to collaborate with Speakeasy on providing a superior listening experience for their broadband users. Stay tuned."
Speakeasy broadband is available in most metropolitan areas within the 48 contiguous states. Interested individuals can check for service at www.speakeasy.net or by calling 1-800-556-5829. Customer service agents are available 6:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. PST Monday-Friday and 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. PST Saturday.
About Speakeasy
Founded in 1994, Speakeasy is the nation's largest independent broadband service provider. Fusing a high-performance national network, legendary commitment to customer satisfaction, cutting-edge Internet technology and content, and a wide range of pioneering value-added services, Speakeasy delivers a comprehensive online experience that redefines the broadband frontier for both businesses and consumers. Reflecting its continued growth and success, Speakeasy recently debuted at #47 in Inc. Magazine's 2002 listing of the nation's fasting growing private companies. For more information: www.speakeasy.net.
About Listen.com
Listen.com is a leading online music company that develops and distributes RHAPSODY, a digital music subscription service. Launched in 2001, RHAPSODY gives consumers unlimited access to the world's largest library of music today on the PC and via network-connected home entertainment components and on wireless devices in the future. RHAPSODY combines on-demand music, CD burning, customized and professionally programmed Internet radio, and engaging music information and editorial recommendations.
RHAPSODY is available through Listen.com and a network of companies that offer co-branded versions of the service, including Audiogalaxy, Cablevision Systems Corporation's Optimum Online., Charter Communications, Down Beat, Gateway, JamBase, Lycos, RCN Corporation, Time Warner Cable's Road Runner high-speed ISP, Sony's Musiclub, Speakeasy, Sprint, and Verizon Online. Founded in 1998, Listen.com is based in San Francisco. Listen.com, the Listen.com logo and RHAPSODY are trademarks of Listen.com, Inc. For more information: www.listen.com.
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