ATOM PRESS

ATOMFILMS & MAVEN NETWORKS INTRODUCE A BETTER WAY TO WATCH MOVIES ONLINE

'AtomFilms Hi-Def' Quickly Draws Audience and Major Advertisers with Full-Screen Internet Video; Includes, For the First Time, Films in Windows Media High-Definition Video at 720p

Park City, Utah (January 20th, 2004) — AtomFilms and Maven Networks, a broadband media software company, announced today at the Sundance Film Festival, the debut of 'AtomFilms Hi-Def' (http://hidef.atomfilms.com), a free, advertising-supported service that enables enhanced online viewing of world-class independent films, including select titles presented in high definition 720p format. During its beta phase in December 2003, 'AtomFilms Hi-Def' attracted more than 10,000 enthusiastic users. Major brand advertisers, including Nintendo, have signed on for the service's public launch.

'AtomFilms Hi-Def' leverages Maven's broadband media application software and delivery network to provide a quality, full-screen viewing experience that has previously eluded movie fans online. After an initial download, 'AtomFilms Hi-Def' users automatically receive weekly desktop delivery of three of AtomFilms' best movies, viewable at 850kbps, ensuring playback that rivals DVD quality.

Additionally, 'AtomFilms Hi-Def' users also have the option to receive two films each month that are viewable at almost three times the resolution of DVD video: Windows Media High-Definition Video (WMV HD) at 720p resolution. This enables a stunning visual experience for users with Windows XP-based machines and marks the first time that true high definition movies are available on the Internet.

The films available on 'AtomFilms Hi-Def' represent the best of the renowned AtomFilms catalog of shorts. They range from one minute to thirty minutes in length; many boast film festival awards, Academy Award nominations, and involvement by well-known talent. In celebration of the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, this week's lineup includes the adrenaline-packed skiing short "Collins Brothers," and two hits from past Sundance Film Festivals ("Girl Go Boom" and "Venus Blue").

For brand advertisers, such as Nintendo and Microsoft WindowsXP Media Center, AtomFilms Hi-Def provides a unique interactive channel that delivers television-style advertisements even better than television does — offering high-quality playback, detailed usage tracking, and no ad-skipping or channel-changing. The commercials play prior to each film in the weekly line-up.

"We are at a crossroads in the evolution of digital entertainment," said AtomFilms founder Mika Salmi. "'AtomFilms Hi-Def' represents a giant leap forward, for audiences and advertisers alike. I'm pleased that through our partnership with Maven Networks we've made the viewing of movies online much more accessible and fun. Our audience is also privy to the immense power and impact of Microsoft's WMV HD and I am proud that we are the first to provide this glimpse into the future of high definition online films."

"Maven complements highly compelling user experiences with the software infrastructure needed to support a new generation of ad-driven video services and subscription-based business models," said Hilmi Ozguc, Maven Networks co-founder and CEO. "We are pleased to provide AtomFilms with the content management, production and delivery platform it needs to create groundbreaking services that offer movie fans an exceptional viewing experience and advertisers a branding medium that rivals television."

"AtomFilms is a pioneer in using WMV HD to enable the first online delivery of HD short film content to consumers." said Dave Fester, general manager of Microsoft's Windows Digital Media Division. "The quality of WMV HD means movie fans get a great experience, and the compression efficiency of WMV HD makes it the most cost-effective way of delivering HD content online."

'AtomFilms Hi-Def' is being showcased at this week's Sundance Film Festival, where the service premiered at Microsoft's party at 350 Main St. on January 19th (9pm-12am) In addition, throughout the week festival attendees will also be able to experience the new service and access past Sundance hits at Microsoft's Digital Center.

For more information about AtomFilms Hi-Def, please visit http://hidef.atomfilms.com.

About AtomFilms
AtomFilms is where the Web goes to watch movies. It's award-winning Web site (www.atom.com) offers on-demand viewing of a diverse and distinguished catalog of over 1,000 shorts in every genre, enabling new and innovative artists to reach millions of viewers worldwide. Based in San Francisco, CA, AtomFilms is a service of digital entertainment leader AtomFilms. For more information, please visit www.atom.com.

About Maven Networks
Maven Networks is a broadband media software company that unites the visual impact of television with the interactivity and measurability of the Internet, to enable media companies and brand marketers to more effectively inform, entertain, market and sell to online audiences. The company's flagship product, the Maven Media System, is being used by industry-leading companies to deliver more engaging and effective experiences to broadband users, including leaders in media, entertainment and cable television such as Virgin Records, Twentieth Century Fox and the National Geographic Channel. Maven Networks is headquartered in Cambridge, Mass., and was founded in April 2002. More information about Maven Networks, its product and service offerings can be found at www.maven.net.

Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

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