Backbone Internet Radio to Debut Pro Feature Set at NAB 2003

Version 2.0 brings Standard Rotation, Image and Annotation Display, MPEG-4 and Clickble URLs

(Worcester, MA; March 23, 2003).........Backbone Networks Corporation announces that the company will introduce a new Version 2.0 of its Backbone Internet Radio automation and streaming audio software at NAB 2003 in Las Vegas, April 5 - 10. Version 2.0 builds upon the powerful Backbone Radio Pro with several important operating features, including standard rotation, image display, transfer and display of clip annotation, MPEG-4 encoding and streaming, and clickable URLs on the free QuickTime player. Backbone Internet Radio remains unique as the only fully integrated radio station automation and streaming software that users purchase and operate themselves without ongoing licensing fees.

New Version 2.0 Features
Standard rotation permits station operators to automatically generate always-fresh radio playlists based on specified characteristics of the streaming audio clips, such as genre, priority and tempo. In addition, each clip can be assigned other time-based criteria, including start/stop time and date, time-of-day play, and the rate at which priority of play decreases. Users create program playlist templates, which include a modifiable set of broadcast rules, such as those cited by the RIAA. Templates distinguish between clip types, whether songs, commercials or station identifications, and automatically insert the semi-randomized clips that conform to the specified criteria.

Version 2.0 also brings a dynamic, interactive interface to the listener environment. Images, which can be easily changed by the broadcaster in an external database, and displayed on the free QuickTime player. Because jpeg images are delivered via SMIL, multiple images may be sequenced during the play of any given audio clip, whether prerecorded or live.

Each streaming clip is also accompanied by a text annotation, again displayed in the player, which includes key information about the clip, including artist, item name, album information and copyright data. This player window also provides a clickable URL, which simultaneously brings up a specified web page in the associated browser. This is especially useful for advertising and e-commerce purposes.

Backbone Internet radio software application now uses MPEG-4 as its primary streaming format. The new worldwide standard delivers dramatically higher audio quality coupled with significantly faster compression speed. Version 2.0 builds upon Apples QuickTime 6, which recently introduced MPEG-4 compatibility. Defined by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG), MPEG-4 is the new worldwide standard for next-generation multimedia, including streaming for audio and video. With the free QuickTime Player or browser plug-in, listeners can play back any compliant MPEG-4 file, including Backbone Radio streams.

What is Backbone Radio?
Backbone Radio is an integrated software suite that makes it easy to organize, schedule and broadcast all types of audio directly onto the Internet, using low cost computers. Backbone Radio is aimed at helping new and established radio stations economically manage their entry into Internet streaming, with intuitive, easy to use "jock-friendly" tools that emulate the professional broadcast environment. Station operators have complete control to dynamically combine a fluid mix of live and automated recorded material on the air.

Any type of station can be created with Backbone Radio. The product family comprises a full spectrum of radio streaming software, from the entry level, single-computer Backbone Radio Basic up to the featue laden ProPlus version, which uses a combination of Mac OS X production with Linux (or Mac OS X) streaming software. The Company's server technology, in combination with Beowulf clustering technology, provides quick and automatic expandability for highly dynamic traffic environments.

Backbone recently announced that automatic DMCA compliant logging is now included in higher end versions of Backbone Radio. This important feature saves the need for commercial radio stations to hire an individual to keep track of and report listener and royalty information.

The Free Backbone Radio Demo
Free downloads of the MPEG-4 enabled Backbone Radio Basic are available at the Company's web site. The thirty-day demo is a fully functional version of Backbone Radio Basic, the Company's entry level software suite. The demo is intended to help users familiarize themselves with all aspects of MPEG-4 radio webcasting, including program production, automation and streaming directly onto the Internet. The demo permits users to create their own radio programs, consisting of a dynamic mix of prerecorded clips and live audio, and serve up to 250 simultaneous listeners.

Backbone at NAB
Backbone Networks Corporation will be demonstrating all the announced new features at its booth (#SL828), right next to Apple Computer, Inc., in the new South Hall, Lower Level. NAB 2003 runs from April 5 to 10 in the Las Vegas Convention Center