RealNetworks is a
Seattle-based provider of
Internet media delivery software and services. The company is best known for the creation of
RealAudio, a compressed audio format, and
RealVideo[?], a compressed video format, and for its early market leadership in the field of
streaming media.
RealNetworks (then known as Progressive Networks) was founded by ex-Microsoft executive Rob Glaser[?] in 1993. The original goal of the company was to provide a distribution channel for politically progressive content. It quickly evolved into a technology venture to leverage the Internet as an alternative distribution medium for audio broadcasts.
Company timeline:
- November 1993: Progressive Networks formed
- April 1995: RealAudio 1.0 released (finalized June 1995)
- August 1995: First live broadcast of a baseball game over the Internet between the Seattle Mariners and the New York Yankees
- October 1995: RealAudio 2.0 debuts (finalized April 1996)
- September 1996: RealAudio 3.0 launches, with debut of Sheryl Crow's single "If It Makes You Happy"
- October 1996: RTSP standardization initiative launched with Netscape Communications Corporation
- September 1997: Progressive Networks changes name to "RealNetworks", and files with the SEC to become a publicly traded company
- November 1997: Initial Public Offering of shares from RealNetworks (RNWK).
- February 1997: RealVideo[?] debuts as part of RealPlayer[?] 4.0 (finalized June 1997)
- July 1997: Broad technology and investment relationship between Progressive Networks and Microsoft
- September 1997: RealSystem[?] 5.0 debuts, adding support for Macromedia Flash
- March 1998: RealNetworks acquires software maker Vivo[?]
- April 1998: RealSystem[?] G2 debuts. G2 was a complete rearchitecture of RealSystem, allowing development of plugins at all levels of the system. G2 was the first release to support RTSP, SMIL, GIF, JPEG, RealPix[?], and RealText[?].
- July 1998: Rob Glaser[?] testifies before the United States Senate regarding competitive practices of Microsoft
- April 1999: RealNetworks acquires software maker Xing Technology[?]
- May 1999: RealJukebox 1.0 launched
- November 1999: RealPlayer 7 launched, with Take5 daily programming service and MP3 support
- May 2000: RealSystem 8 debuts, with RealVideo[?] 8
- July 2001: RealNetworks reduces staff by 15%
- September 2001: RealOne Platform launched, including new subscription service
- January 2002: RealOne subscription service passes 500,000 subscribers
- July 2002: Helix initiative launched, along with Helix Universal Server. Initiative includes plan to release substantial parts of proprietary technologies under an open source licence. RealNetworks also announced partnership with Xiph.org to support the free software Ogg Vorbis audio codec.
- August 2002: RealNetworks reduces staff by 11%
- October 2002: Helix DNA Client source code released under open source license
- December 2002: Helix DNA Producer source code released under open source license
- January 2003: Helix DNA Server source code released under open source license
