Largest Compilation Of Audio And Video Files Using Any Major Media Player Is Launched By StreamSearch.com
Search Capability Brings All Media Files To User Via This Single Site Destination Turnkey Technology Gives Content Providers Opportunity To Co-Brand Their Media And Share In Site Ad Revenues
Backed by $11 million in funding from Rare Medium Group and Brentwood Venture Capital, StreamSearch.com today unveiled the definitive directory and search destination for broadband audio and video files on the World Wide Web. The site provides users with more than 1 million multimedia files, making it the largest compilation of audio and video files on the Web, supported by features that give consumers superior ease-of-use, and speed-of-access to these files. For content providers, the new destination enables first-of-a-kind co-branding and site ad-revenue-sharing opportunities. In contrast to other sites, such as Real.com and Broadcast.com, StreamSearch.com is the only Web destination that is completely unbiased, delivering to consumers audio and video files on demand for any major media player (RealAudio, RealVideo, WindowsMedia, MP3, Liquid Audio, Quicktime and many others), at any connection speed (28.8, 56, etc.) and from any content provider or broadcaster (CNN, C-SPAN, NBC, CBS and many more). In addition to audio on demand and video on demand, StreamSearch.com also delivers live events and pay-per-view. Unlike other audio and video search sites, StreamSearch.com completely bypasses Web pages where content resides to find and speed audio and video content directly to users. With the only staff of editors who accumulate, index and editorialize content by hand, StreamSearch.com can ensure that its site users obtain superior-quality search results. ""We're committed to continuing to deliver, through a single destination, the greatest breadth and depth of audio and video available on the Web, using any major media player at any connection speed,"" stated Robert Shambro, Chief Executive Officer of StreamSearch.com. ""Today we offer direct links to some 1 million audio and video files; by the end of 2000, we expect to increase this to at least 10 million."" According to Shambro, StreamSearch.com users can expect additional advanced speed and viewing capabilities to be updated on a regular basis during the next several months, in addition to new and exciting content offerings. These will include: My StreamSearch, StreamSearch Film and Music Festival, The Ultimate Music Store, Feature Films, Internet's Funniest Videos, multilingual versions of the site, StreamSearch Records, StreamSearch Studios and much more. Content Strategy StreamSearch.com's content will be developed through a multitiered strategy: - Linking to content on the Web. A staff of editors at the company conducts daily searches of the Web. - Original content (e.g., StreamSearch Film and Music Festival) - Content acquisition. As a major part of its content acquisition strategy, StreamSearch.com currently has agreements with a number of well-known content providers, including: WinningOnWallstreet, Web Radio, Virage, Liquid Audio, RealNetworks, Weatherama, Amplified.com, America One, WABY Radio, EZCD, Audible.com, CareerTV.com, Fashion TV, Knit Media, USA Networks, Atom Films, MovieFlix, PR Newswire, Reuters, Healtheology, Muse, Ifilm and more. StreamSearch.com is also providing its database of broadband content to customers of Cablevision's network of broadband Web sites. It is also the exclusive online provider of film content for BellSouth's DSL Broadband portal as it deploys in 30 Southeastern markets. Content Providers, Broadcasters Benefit StreamSearch.com has developed its advertising model by incorporating the successful co-branded models of other Internet sites into its own unique co-branded media player opportunity. Each time a user chooses to view a media file, a proprietary player user interface, or ""skin,"" is displayed where advertisers and e-commerce businesses will be able to brand the area surrounding the viewing screen for the duration of the media play. This gives content providers the opportunity to share in both branding and, potentially, in site advertising revenues. This model will also work to solidify co-branded media player relationships with major broadcasters and content developers that would like to market themselves, as well as to earn incremental revenue in connection with the playing of their content. ""We are aggressively pursuing our strategy to develop new and cutting-edge offerings that will keep us ahead of the competition,"" continued Shambro. ""No one knows exactly where broadband is going to be in a few years, but as it develops we expect to be in the middle of this category and in front of the viewer by leading the way in advanced broadband content viewing."" About StreamSearch.com Founded in February 1999, StreamSearch.com is the Web's ""one-stop"" source for finding, viewing and experiencing all audio and video content, having compiled what is expected to become the most comprehensive database of top music, news and entertainment material on the Internet. The company's innovative cross-platform capabilities enable consumers to easily find and play audio and video streaming or downloadable files directly by bypassing Web sites to bring the content directly to the user. The current team of company investors includes Rare Medium Group, Brentwood Venture Capital and Advantage Capital. The company has headquarters in St. Louis, with offices in New York and Los Angeles.