RealJukebox, meanwhile, has more than 12 million users. This software lets users download and listen to tunes in digital formats like the popular MP3 and RealNetworks' G2. RealJukebox also helps users load music onto portable digital music players or manage music stored on a hard drive. Impressive revenue growth Stripped-down editions of RealNetworks software are free. But sales have been brisk for the more-sophisticated versions of its consumer products and the RealServer software used by companies to send out streaming signals.
Ad revenue has the hottest growth.
Not bad at all. But the real potential lies ahead. Move just a portion of that onto the Internet, they say, and RealNetworks' revenues could take off, assuming it finds a way to get a piece of the broadcast ad and e-commerce revenue. But CIBC World Markets analyst Martin Pyykkonen reckons they will be resolved in time for the winter holiday shopping season a year from now. For all its fretting, the music industry wants progress because it knows it stands to benefit from such things as lower distribution costs and impulse buying online, says Pyykkonen.