Lycos Rolls Out Web Radio Network; Lycos Radio Network Advances High Speed Offerings
Business Wire - April 26, 1999 06:32
WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 26, 1999--Lycos, Inc. (NASDAQ:LCOS), the most visited hub on the Internet and the world's largest online community, today launched a groundbreaking online interactive broadcast network. The Lycos Radio Network, the first music radio offering from a major portal, is also the first source to broadcast simultaneous music and video directly from an Internet browsing window.
The Lycos Radio Network, through its relationship with Westwind Media, uses the same high-quality sound technology that powers the nation's largest broadcast stations. Starting with five channels now -- hip hop, hot tracks, alternative, smooth jazz and country -- the distribution model is easily scalable, and is expected to be expanded dramatically in the coming months.
Rather than offering a random selection of computer-programmed playlists, real disc jockeys on the Lycos Radio Network can select the music, break in for news or special promotions, and even take requests either by phone or e-mail. When Lycos listeners join their favorite song midstream, they can press the replay button to take control from the disc jockey and back up to the beginning of a song, or they can even choose to replay a song as often as they wish.
"We are constructing the Lycos Network's multimedia offerings to create more compelling user experiences as broadband services become more available," said Mark Simmer, chief content officer for Lycos. "We are in a unique position to leverage our reach, success as a content aggregator and unique partnerships to provide the broadest multimedia experience on the Web."
Lycos established itself on the cutting edge of online music services with the February launch of Lycos MP3 Search. Continuing its lead, Lycos is the first to provide a continuous feed of video and still images that correspond to and complement the music being broadcast.
"Lycos is providing a radically better music experience for the Web audience, and we expect to build strong brand affinity among the target audiences," said Brian Kalinowski, manager of Lycos' multimedia product group. "Adding a visual component to the Lycos Radio Network gives listeners a reason to keep the radio player up on their screens, so advertisers on the Lycos Radio Network can market goods and services to listeners who are actively watching, as well as listening."
Advertisers can take advantage of the unprecedented multimedia capability of the Lycos Radio Network by integrating any combination of audio, video and banner advertisements. Ads can be strategically targeted to the user profile of a particular station, or even targeted as specifically as running during the playing of certain types of music.
The Lycos Radio Network is e-commerce enabled. It has been constructed so that listeners will be able to simultaneously purchase a CD of the same music they are listening to, as well as a wide variety of related merchandise including music-related merchandise, everything from tour t-shirts to concert tickets.
To experience the Lycos Radio Network, Internet users can visit radio.lycos.com and download the free player (if it's not already installed on their computer) and choose the type of music they want to hear.
About Lycos, Inc.
Founded in 1995, Lycos, Inc. (NASDAQ:LCOS) is a leading Web media company and owner of the Lycos Network, the most visited hub on the Internet reaching 51.8 percent of Web users. The Lycos Network is a unified set of Web sites that attracts a diverse audience by offering a variety of services, including leading Web navigation resources, homepage building and other Web community services and a comprehensive shopping center. The Lycos Network is composed of premium sites: Lycos.com, Tripod, WhoWhere, Angelfire, MailCity, HotBot, HotWired, Wired News, Webmonkey, Suck.com and MyTime.com. Lycos.com (http://www.lycos.com), "Your Personal Internet Guide," is dedicated to helping each individual user locate, retrieve and manage information tailored to his or her personal interests. Headquartered near Boston in Waltham, Mass., Lycos, Inc. is a global Internet leader with a major presence throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia.
On February 8, 1999, Lycos, Inc. entered into agreements with USA Networks, Inc. (USAi) and Ticketmaster Online-CitySearch, Inc. (TMCS). Under the agreements, Lycos, TMCS and USAi's Home Shopping Network, Ticketmaster and Internet Shopping Network/First Auction will be combined to form a company to be named USA/Lycos Interactive Networks, Inc. The formation of USA/Lycos is subject to the approval of the Lycos stockholders and customary regulatory approvals.
(c)1999 Lycos, Inc. - Lycos(R) is a registered trademark of Carnegie Mellon University. All other product or service marks mentioned herein are those of Lycos or their respective owners. All rights reserved.
CONTACT: Lycos, Inc. Schwartz Communications
Brian Payea Sean Audet
781-370-2885 781-684-0770
bpayea@lycos.com saudet@schwartz-pr.com
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