PanAmSat And RealNetworksÆ Announce A Strategic Relationship To Provide Worldwide Broadband Delivery Of Internet Media Via Satellite

RealSystemÆ G2 Integrates With PanAmSat's Net/36 To Bypass Internet Congestion, Providing A Powerful End-To-End Broadband Media Solution

30-Mar-00

RealNetworksÆ, Inc. (NASDAQ: RNWK), the recognized leader in media delivery on the Internet, and PanAmSat Corporation (NASDAQ: SPOT), the leading provider of satellite-based video and data broadcast services, today announced the deep integration of RealNetworks' award-winning, broadband-enabled RealSystemÆ G2 to power PanAmSat's satellite-based Internet broadband broadcast network, NET/36. The two companies will deploy RealSystem G2 throughout NET/36, enabling highly scalable broadcast to the edges of the Internet, bypassing sources of Internet congestion. The combination of PanAmSat's global geostationary satellite-based broadcast network, RealServerô 7.0's patent-pending performance capabilities and the breakthrough broadband video encoding technology of RealProducerô 7.0, provides content- and last-mile providers with a robust solution and network for delivering superior quality media experience virtually anywhere on the globe. ""RealSystem G2's scalable distributed multi-tier network architecture provides NET/36 with the seamless technology we need to support the global broadcast of the richest broadband media content,"" said Robert Bednarek, Chief Technology Officer, PanAmSat. ""Our collaboration with RealNetworks means that a wholly owned and controlled global satellite Internet broadcast network will be teamed with the leading provider of the digital multimedia experience. Together, we will be able to reach nearly every point on earth simultaneously with rich broadband media."" ""PanAmSat is deploying an edge broadcast network based on RealSystem G2 which utilizes our newest satellite multicast reception capabilities and multi-tiered network architecture,"" said Martin Plaehn, senior vice president, Media Systems, RealNetworks, Inc. ""Broadcasters using NET/36 will be able to circumvent thousands of miles of terrestrial networks to efficiently and simultaneously deliver high fidelity audio and video broadband content to listeners and viewers worldwide."" About NET/36 PanAmSat owns and operates NET/36, which will become the world's most comprehensive satellite-based IP broadcast network. PanAmSat will utilize its comprehensive global resources and expertise, including its 20-satellite global network (located 36,000 kilometers above earth in geostationary orbit), US teleport facilities and 16-year heritage offering video distribution services, to create a dynamic network that is fast, reliable and cost-effective. NET/36 will enable video and data content providers to broadcast the widest and deepest roster of digital video, data and audio to ISPs, cable headends and DSL providers. Service applications over NET/36 will include streaming video, file transfer and caching. For more information on PanAmSat and NET/36, visit the PanAmSat Web site at http://www.panamsat.com. About RealSystem G2 Released in late 1999, RealServer 7.0, RealProducer 7.0, and RealPlayerÆ 7 are powerful components of RealSystem G2, offering the streaming media and digital delivery industry with an entirely new standard for scalable, reliable Internet multimedia experiences. The total integration of these powerful authoring, serving and playback products has been recognized as the most scalable and reliable cross-platform media delivery system available. RealSystem G2 provides established business models such as subscription, pay per view and advertising. The RealSystem G2 open, extensible architecture is supported by over 160 developers creating a wide range of complimentary solutions for Internet broadcasters and media delivery. About RealNetworks RealNetworks, Inc., based in Seattle, Washington, is the recognized leader in media delivery on the Internet. It develops and markets software products and services designed to enable users of personal computers and other consumer electronic devices to send and receive audio, video and other multimedia services using the Web. Consumers can access and experience audio/video programming and download RealNetworks consumer software on the Internet at http://www.real.com. RealNetworks' systems and corporate information is located on the Internet at http://www.realnetworks.com. About PanAmSat PanAmSat Corporation, based in Greenwich, Connecticut, is the world's leading provider of video and data broadcasting services via satellite. The company builds, owns and operates networks that deliver entertainment and information to cable television systems, TV broadcast affiliates, direct-to-home TV operators, Internet service providers, telecommunications companies and corporations. With 20 spacecraft in orbit today, PanAmSat has the world's largest commercial geostationary satellite system. The company will expand its global fleet to 25 spacecraft by mid-2001. For more information on PanAmSat and NET/36, visit the PanAmSat Web site at http://www.panamsat.com.

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