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Andover, MA (April 20, 2004) – Gotuit Media Corp., the leading platform provider for on-demand television, today announced a trial agreement with Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s largest music company, to bring cable subscribers popular videos from some of the biggest artists in the music business. With Gotuit’s next generation Video-On-Demand (VOD) technology, cable operators will be able to offer their digital subscribers instant access to hundreds of the hottest music videos, empowering viewers to be their own ‘Video Jockey’ by creating a personalized music video viewing experience where they decide what videos get played.

A test of Gotuit Music OnDemand, involving hundreds of videos from UMG’s extensive music video catalog, is currently underway with a major U.S. cable MSO. Additional operator deployments are expected to be announced shortly.

With Gotuit Music OnDemand, digital cable subscribers can select from a variety of pre-programmed music video blocks based on genres including rock, pop, hip hop, and country, in addition to blocks containing artist spotlights, and specific label-branded channels such as Def Jam Records and Shady Records. Subscribers can watch the music video blocks in their entirety (like traditional program viewing) or create their own personalized music viewing experience. For example, through an on-screen menu, subscribers can browse and select specific music videos in a program block for immediate viewing, or navigate to the next or previous music video. Additional viewer interaction includes artist interviews, concert footage, complete discography, reviews and concert tour information.

“We are optimistic about the potential of this new video on demand offering which will allow music fans even more opportunities to enjoy their favorite recording artists,” said Scott Hochgesang , Vice President of Business Development at Universal Music Group eLabs. “By partnering with Gotuit Media, we have developed an exciting new platform which will allow UMG to introduce its new artists and reinforce its existing brands in a personalized on-demand environment.”

“This agreement marks the launch of the industry’s largest and most advanced on demand music video service. We are very excited to be working with Universal Music Group to bring this incredible collection of music content to the cable industry as an on-demand service,” said Mark Pascarella , president of Gotuit Media. “With consumers’ growing appetite for control over what they watch and how they watch it, I know that this offering will excite viewers and accelerate the digital future. With Gotuit OnDemand, cable operators will be able to deliver an unmatched array of on demand viewing functionality.”

About Universal Music Group

Universal Music Group is the world’s largest music company with wholly owned record operations or licensees in 71 countries. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, one of the industry’s largest global music publishing operations.

Universal Music Group consists of record labels Decca Record Company, Deutsche Grammophon, DreamWorks Records, Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Island Def Jam Music Group, Lost Highway Records, MCA Nashville, Mercury Nashville, Mercury Records, Philips, Polydor, Universal Music Latino, Universal Motown Records Group, and Verve Music Group as well as a multitude of record labels owned or distributed by its record company subsidiaries around the world. The Universal Music Group owns the most extensive catalog of music in the industry, which is marketed through two distinct divisions, Universal Music Enterprises (in the U.S. ) and Strategic Marketing & Commercial Affairs (outside the U.S. ). Universal Music Group also includes eLabs, a new media and technologies division.

Universal Music Group is a unit of Vivendi Universal, a global media and communications company.

About Gotuit Media Corp.

Gotuit Media is dedicated to enabling the intelligent navigation of on-demand video content. Its flagship offering, Gotuit On Demand, is a patented indexing technology that combines segment metadata with on-demand video content, allowing consumers to quickly access the parts of a show in which they are the most interested. Gotuit works with both cable operators and content owners to provide viewers with direct access to the very best moments in television.

Gotuit holds a broad portfolio of patents in the time-shifted video space, including several landmark awards concerning video metadata. Founded in 2000, Gotuit Media is privately held and funded by Highland Capital Partners, Motorola and other investors. Additional information can be found on Gotuit Media's web site at www.gotuit.com.

 

Media Contacts:

David Laubner
Gotuit Media Corp.
E-mail: dlaubner@gotuit.com
Phone: 781.970.5432

Ben Eckerson
Universal Music Group
E-mail: ben.eckerson@umusic.com
Phone: 310.865.4545