SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Technology Stocks : Broadcast.com (Acquired by Yahoo) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?


To: Pruguy who wrote (1196)4/14/1999 12:43:00 AM
From: B. A. Marlow  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 1260
 
Think you're right as to MSFT, Pru.

It's apparent that MSFT has a stronger relationship with YHOO than RNWK has, and (however implicitly in BCST's conference call and in recent public statements) this alliance seems to have Cuban's blessing.

Not to say RNWK won't retain most of its 85%+ market share from exhibition of BCST events, but MSFT will try to leverage its relationship with YHOO to capture as much traffic as possible, along with as many new users as possible. (What would really help MSFT would be some MSFT format-only events along the lines of the Victoria's Secret "fashion show," or a free, Net-only, heavyweight boxing match.) Foreign markets (e.g., Japan, etc.), where Net usage is just emerging, may be considerably easier for MSFT to penetrate.

All of which only adds support to the theory that MSFT could acquire YHOO and AOL could acquire RNWK. Will the last one to leave please turn out the lights?!

BAM



To: Pruguy who wrote (1196)4/14/1999 11:48:00 AM
From: Sam Citron  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 1260
 
Pru, BAM

I see msft attempting to use the large user base of yahoo to redirect existing rnwk users to media player and to try to encourage non users to begin using the media player by marketing tightly with yhoo/bcst

No doubt about this. It's the only reasonable strategy for MSFT to pursue. Is there anything new about this? I use Real Audio and Media Player interchangeably depending whether the content I am looking for is in one format or the other, but when I have the choice I tend to use Real because I think the sound quality is a bit better. Let them duke it out for the best technology and the winner will be the public. I own shares of both.

[D]oesn't rnwk need to be at least if not more aggresive than msft in this regard

As a much smaller company, I think RNWK is at least as aggressive and committed than MSFT, which is being accused of arrogance and trying to bully the music industry.

When I look at Yahoo's recent acquisitions of BCST and GCTY and put that together with RNWK's relationships and agreements with both firms, I tend to come to the opposite conclusion: namely that YHOO is getting closer to the RNWK camp.

Comments?

Sam