ISDN News Release...
Headline: Internet Entertainment Powerhouse On-Line Entertainment Network, Inc.
(OEN) Announces June 4th Official Launch Following Successful Six-Month Beta
Test
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Added Features Include New Content Areas, Member Preference Recognition and
Auto Log-On
OEN's Worldradio to Provide Extraordinary Sponsor Opportunities Including
On-Line Radio Spot Advertising and Event Aftermarket and Co-Promotion Tie-Ins
for Continued Advertiser Impressions Following Conclusion of Sponsored Netcast
Event
LOS ANGELES, June 1 /PRNewswire/ -- On-Line Entertainment Network, Inc.
(OEN), a wholly-owned subsidiary of GlobalNet Systems, Ltd.
(BB: ISDN), announced today the official launch of its CD-
quality Internet-based real-time audio-on-demand entertainment network
(OEN.COM) following its intensive six-month beta test period.
Remodeling of the audio-on-demand network began in March, following the
six-month beta test which started in October 1997. Many of the changes and
additions are the result of comments solicited via worldwide e-mail concerning
such issues as programming, concert content, user-friendly navigation,
graphics, pricing and new special network features such as auto recognition.
"We want to provide our listeners not only with the best quality audio on
the Internet, but also features that add to the feeling of entertainment and
fun," said Ted Mather, President of On-Line Entertainment, Inc. "The
worldwide input we received has been invaluable in reaching that goal."
OEN listeners can access music from such labels as Warner Brothers,
Reprise, Atlantic, Tommy Boy, Megadon, VnS, Red Pony, New Surf Ltd. and many
others. New labels are being added to the network on an on-going basis. In
addition, live concert performances and other special events from major venues
worldwide will be featured. In the coming weeks, the network will be offering
live music shows in all musical genres on a weekly basis, including "Nashville
Nights," a live country series from Nashville's Douglas Corner Cafe. OEN will
also produce live weekly comedy shows in conjunction with National Lampoon.
OEN will be announcing a slate of live major artist concert events shortly and
additional announcements will be forthcoming regarding OEN's on-going content
licensing deals.
OEN has incorporated such 'smart' features as member preference
recognition, which allows the site to suggest areas and purchases that are of
interest to the member; auto log-in, so that the member does not have to log
in with their password and ID each time they visit; and, by the end of June, a
music chat area that allows the listener to chat with others while they are
listening to tracks or concerts. OEN also simplified its "SongQuest" audio-
on-demand navigation system and the site's graphics sport a dynamic and hip
new look.
OEN has also introduced OEN Worldradio, its promotion and network radio
service. Worldradio will incorporate programming samples from the network
content and interviews with artists appearing on the network, as well as
special promotions and other appropriate tie-ins. OEN will also sell spot
time to advertisers within its Worldradio programming.
In addition to the usual banner placement, sponsors will also be offered
the unique opportunity to air their radio spots during Worldradio programming,
as well as advertiser placement on the network's event pages for sponsored
events and series. Additional added value to sponsors is the event
aftermarket, which offers continued impressions for as long as the event
remains as an archived catalog on OEN, on average a minimum of two years. OEN
also offers sponsors co-promotion opportunities with event advertising for
pay-per-view and other tie-ins, as well as database demographics to assist
sponsors in better targeting their ad buys.
The demographic information, which includes generic purchase information
and interest and relational data, will also be furnished to content providers
to better market their product. The information will also be useful in
helping direct a customer to specific areas of interest on the network.
"OEN is the first full pay-per-listen network on the Internet," says
Mather. "There is a vast worldwide audience for audio-on-demand, but until
now, the quality wasn't high enough to warrant a pay-per-listen model that the
consumer would actually use. The audio quality offered by OEN is superb. We
are the defacto standard for audio on the Internet."
OEN offers full Verisign credit card encryption security and, as an added
benefit, the card information only needs to be provided by the consumer once.
All transactions on the network are debited from the OEN Virtual Entertainment
Card (VEC), available for purchase on the network in denominations of $5 to
$100. This purchase method increases security and eliminates mini-
transactions for such purchases as $0.75 song plays. OEN's pricing schedule
will be $0.75 per play for full music tracks and $2-$6 for live events,
depending on the artist. Free samples will be offered for all pay-per-listen
network product. New content is being added constantly, so customers will be
able to access fresh and timely programming whenever they visit the network.
Within a few weeks, OEN will also offer full purchase facilities for all
of its audio content so the customer can both listen to and purchase a CD.
"The retail aspect of the network will be a major part of what we do," says
Mather.
"The true CD-quality on-demand interactivity of OEN will pave the way for
a brand new medium providing entertainment to the consumer," said Irwin Roth,
Chairman and CEO of OEN. "We believe that we are truly on the forefront of a
new generation of entertainment delivery. It's like being involved in the
birth of radio or television.
"We intend to finish Phase II of the OEN network within a year and bring
true 30 frame/second high-resolution video to the network," he continues.
"The infrastructure we have built into Phase I, such as choice, billing and
programming functionality, is the same as that required for video-on-demand
and is already in place."
GlobalNet Systems, Ltd. (BB: ISDN) is headquartered in
Chatsworth, CA and can be reached at (818) 428-2828 ext. 30.
SOURCE On-Line Entertainment Network, Inc.
-0- 06/01/98
/CONTACT: Gloria Boyce, PLA Media, 818-761-7171/ |
