RealPlayer Cloud Adds 10M Users Despite Quarterly Loss
RealNetworks, the company behind the iconic streaming software RealPlayer, is trying to re-invent itself and find the prominence the company once had back in the 1990s and early 2000s. So far, so good, depending upon how you look at the numbers. RealNetwork’s flagship product is their RealPlayer Cloud offering. With RealPlayer Cloud, users are able to move, save, share and watch videos on any of their desktop or mobile computing devices.
Last year, it is being reported that RealPlayer Cloud only had 500,000 users. Today, RealPlayer Cloud’s membership number have surged past 10M users. Although RealPlayer Cloud is starting to make a name for itself, RealNetworks posted a $20.8M loss for the 4th quarter in 2014. Such a large loss may cause some company’s to rethink their strategy however RealNetworks CEO Rob Glaser is encouraged by the massive adaptation of the RealPlayer Cloud platform.
Within statement, CEO Glaser said, “We are continuing to build on our early momentum with RealPlayer Cloud by investing to broaden and deepen the product.” Glaser add, “We are also working to bring in additional marketing and distribution partners to drive even more consumer adoption.”
RealPlayer Cloud works seamlessly for those trying to “Cut the cord” and move away from traditional television services such as cable or satellite. Many users have integrated their RealPlayer Cloud subscriptions with their AppleTV, ChromeCast and Roku devices in efforts to watch stored video on their television.
Experts suggest that although RealNetworks is gaining traction with its cloud based product, RealNetworks is expected to post a loss between $18M and $21M for the first quarter of 2015. Within that same period, RealNetworks is expected to bring in between $30M and $33M in revenue. Glaser, who was once the interim CEO for 2 years, was finally solidified as the permanent CEO in mid 2014. Since locking down the job, Glaser mentions that RealNetworks is in the mist of a “strategic transition to new mobile-centric, cloud-based products and services.”
