Progressive Networks is the established market leader and pioneer in the delivery of real-time media over the Internet. Progressive Networks is also the creator of the RealMedia Architecture (RMA), a next-generation platform for streaming multiple data-types over the Internet and codeveloper, with Netscape Communications, of the Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP), a proposed open standard for the delivery of real-time streaming media.

Based in Seattle, Progressive Networks develops and markets software products and services designed to enable users of personal computers and other digital devices to send and receive real-time media using the today's infrastructure.

Progressive Networks' RealAudio client-server software system enables Internet and on-line users equipped with conventional multimedia personal computers and voice-grade telephone lines to browse, select, and play back audio or audio-based multimedia content on demand, in real time. This is a real breakthrough compared to typical download times encountered with delivery of audio over conventional on-line methods, in which audio is downloaded at a rate that is five times longer than the actual program; the listener must wait 25 minutes before listening to just five minutes of audio.

Progressive Networks offers the RealAudio Server product for major media content providers to distribute audio or audio-based multimedia streams over the Internet to a broad base of consumers and end users.

Since the introduction of the RealAudio system in April of 1995, over 15 million Players have been distributed. The number of RealAudio Players downloaded from the RealAudio web site since its introduction in April is now over 11 million, with over 40,000 downloads daily. The counter at the right offers the most up to date count of the number of downloads from the RealAudio web site.

Progressive Networks recently announced RealAudio 3.0 which offers broadcast-quality audio to the Internet, delivering stereo sound to 28.8 modems and near-CD quality to ISDN and LAN connections.

If you haven't already joined the RealAudio world, start by getting the RealAudio Player. Then go to the RealAudio home page and break the sound barrier!

WebActive, Progressive Network's newest World Wide Web publication is now online! WebActive is designed to keep you up-to-date on the latest in activism and progressive politics on the Internet. Through its directory, RealAudio features, and original writing, WebActive serves as an electronic guide to progressive resources online.