RioPort, Inc. was created in 1999 as a spin-out from the Rio (digital audio players) group of Diamond Multimedia.[1] RioPort was formed to create an Internet service for consumers to acquire legal digital music to play on their computers and MP3 players, i.e., a precursor service to the iTunes music service from Apple Computer.

RioPort was the first internet music service (cloud service) to legally offer digital songs from all the major music labels,[2][3] including the ability to play on portable MP3 players. A Warner Music executive commented; "Rioport's expertise as an application service provider (music cloud service), combined with their relationships with leading online retailers and music portals will ensure that our artist's music will be available conveniently and securely to millions of music fans."[4]

RioPort's cloud based music service powered e-tailer websites such as MTV, Hewlett Packard, Virgin Music, Yahoo and supported MP3 Player consumer electronics devices such as from Samsung, Rio MP3 Player, Sanyo, and the first music phone from Nokia.[5][6]

RioPort management included Chairman Mark Thompson (investor), streaming media pioneer James E Long, CEO, Anthony J Schaller, CTO/SVP Technology and J.D. Heilprin, VP Content.[7][8]

RioPort's major investors included Oak Investment Partners, Viacom, Paul Allen's Vulcan Ventues, and consumer electronics company S3 Graphics.[9] Other investors included Microsoft, EMC, and digital media security company Macrovision.[10]

RioPort merged with Ecast, Inc. in October 2002.[11]

References

  1. ↑ "CNet: MTV - RioPort do downloads".
  2. ↑ "MTVi to Launch Paying Music Download Service". 4 April 2001.
  3. ↑ Justin Oppelaar (2001-04-05). "Variety; MTVi, RioPort, big 5 pact for downloads". Variety.com. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
  4. ↑ "Time-Warner; WARNER MUSIC GROUP AND RIOPORT TO DELIVER TENS OF THOUSANDS OF BURNABLE ONLINE MUSIC DOWNLOADS TO CONSUMERS FOR AS LOW AS 99 CENTS". Time Warner. Retrieved 2013-12-03.
  5. ↑ "Radio Free Virgin partners with RioPort".
  6. ↑ "Samsung Signs with RioPort to Provide Software for Yepp Portable Audio Devices".
  7. ↑ "RioPort Appoints Starlight Founder James E. Long as President and CEO". 18 April 2000.
  8. ↑ "RioPort Appoints James E. Long and Mark Thompsont". Archived from the original on 2013-02-09.
  9. ↑ "Investors Kick In $31.5 Million For RioPort". Forbes.
  10. ↑ "This Week's Q&A: Jim Long, CEO, Rioport, Inc".
  11. ↑ "RioPort agrees to merge with Ecast, Inc".

[1]


  1. ↑ "Digital Envoy Press Releases". www.digitalenvoy.com. Archived from the original on 2006-06-25.
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