Press
Release
DIGITAL RIVER LAUNCHES MP3 MUSIC DOWNLOAD
STORE WITH WWOZ-FM FOR NEW ORLEANS JAZZ FEST
Foray into Downloadable Music Industry
Expands Digital River's Online Sales Opportunities
MINNEAPOLIS, April 22, 1999 -- Digital River (Nasdaq: DRIV), the leader in digital delivery through the Internet, today announced its first music download partnership with WWOZ-FM Radio, the leading jazz station based in New Orleans. Under the agreement, Digital River will deliver music in MP3 format through WWOZ's newly launched online store, located at http://wwoz.com.
WWOZ's Web site is the official Internet broadcaster for the New Orleans Jazz Festival, running April 23 - May 2.
This deal marks the first time Digital River has enabled the download of music content through the Internet by using its proprietary i-stream download manager, which is currently used to deliver software electronically. I-stream manages the download of all digital files including software applications, fonts, graphical images, music and video. In addition, i-stream archives the location of files on the user's computer and launches the installer for the user.
"The music industry is changing," said Digital River CEO Joel Ronning. "As traditional compact discs (CDs) and tapes move to digital distribution over the Internet, Digital River is embracing all forms of online digital music delivery. With heightened demand from consumers for downloadable music through the Web, this was the next logical move for us. Enabling consumers to purchase and receive other digital entertainment products such as movies, music and videos is representative of how our technology can be utilized for other methods of online delivery."
"This agreement with Digital River is a logical bridge between New Orleans musicians and fans of New Orleans music all over the world," said WWOZ General Manager David Freedman. "By offering downloadable music from our Web site, we are providing listeners around the world with an easier and more economical way to purchase some of the best New Orleans music available."
About WWOZ-FM
WWOZ 90.7 FM is a listener-supported, volunteer operated radio station, located in New Orleans, Louisiana. Its award-winning programming reaches the entire metro New Orleans area as well as other radio stations around the country. WWOZ also broadcasts live on the Internet 24 hours a day. For more information, visit WWOZ's Web site at http://wwoz.com.
About Digital River
Digital River, Inc., (Nasdaq: DRIV), based in Minneapolis, offers the world's largest online database of software products. The company provides more than 2,500 software publishers and online retailers with its proprietary technology for Internet delivery of more than 100,000 digital products, which includes 30,000 software applications. For more information, visit Digital River's Web site at http://www.digitalriver.com.
* Except for the historical information contained herein, this press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements containing the words, "believes," "anticipates," "expects" and similar words. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: the Company's limited operating history and variability of operating results; market acceptance of electronic software delivery; the Company's ability to maintain relationships with software publishers and online retailers; competition in the electronic commerce market; and other risk factors referenced in the Company's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
