AccuStream Research: Ad Supported Content In '04 Driving Up Audio And Video Streams
 

Wednesday, April 14, 2004 - SEASIDE,CA - More ad supported streaming content in 2004 has helped push usage numbers (aggregate tuning hours and video streams served) up by 118% and 80% respectively over 1st Q. '03 comparable months, based on the latest monthly analysis reports published by AccuStream iMedia Research.

iBROADCAST Stream Report data shows the number of video streams served per month during January and February by the top ten sites averaged 523 million, compared to 292 million in '03 (an 80% increase).

"There is more and better content available in '04 that has moved out from behind subscription services," noted Paul A. Palumbo, AccuStream research director.

"While there was a rush to move high value content behind subscriptions in 2001 and 2002, as audiences have increased and the ad market improved more advertising is supporting broadband streaming content this year."

AccuStream will release year-end streaming advertising and subscription totals for '03 and forecasts for '04 in an upcoming report.

Broadband video available through sites such as Yahoo, MSN Video, MSNBC, CBS News and Fox News have augmented already significant streaming taking place behind subscription services from Real Networks, and hybrid subscription/ad supported outlets such as AOL Broadband and AOL Radio.

According to iBROADCAST Avails Report, there are more advertising supported streams available in 2004 than ever before, and ads are even appearing inside subscriptions streams.

For Internet radio, tuning hours on the top ten sites per month in January and February '04 averaged 137.5 million, compared to 63 million in '03 (an increase of 118%). Free Internet radio sites and networks controlled by AOL and Yahoo, in particular, experienced dramatic growth.

AccuStream Research also tracks and analyzes streaming media across wireless services. iBROADCAST Mobile Content Report data shows a growing base of subscribers using streaming services such as RealOne Mobile, MobiTV and 1K TV on a regular basis.

"In an era of instant access and expanded content availability, streaming media is one of the most effective and opportunistic forms of brand extension since video tape," according to Palumbo.

For more information on AccuStream Research or to purchase a complete report, visit www.accustreamresearch.com.