Real Sells 1M Songs in Promo Week; Signs University Deals

Real Networks has sold one million songs from its Rhapsody online store in the week since it launched its US 49 cent per track promotion, the company said Tuesday. In addition, Real said it has signed agreements to offer its Rhapsody Internet Jukebox service to more than 80,000 students at the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Minnesota.

Last week, Real launched the 49 cent promotion and RealPlayer 10.5 with Harmony Technology for Winodws users only. Harmony Technology enables consumers to play songs downloaded from the RealPlayer Music Store on more than 100 portable music devices, including the Apple iPod and iPod mini.

The discounted music program for college students, part of a one-year test program and likely be expanded to other campuses next year, offers a free Rhapsody subscription to 30,000 Berkeley undergraduates through October 31 and after that at a deep discount, Real said. In Minnesota, more than 50,000 students at four state university campuses can buy the service at reduced monthly rates or at even deeper discounts for three- or 12-month subscriptions. Normally, the service costs $10 a month.