Sprint Nextel and RealNetworks, the leading creator of digital media services and software, today announced the launch of Rhapsody Radio on the Sprint PCS Vision Multimedia Service. Available nationwide, Rhapsody Radio provides Sprint customers high-quality streaming radio stations from Real's award-winning Rhapsody online music service, streaming podcasts, "Beats N Breaks" (a new freestyle rap service), and music news and videos.

"Sprint customers now have more choices for all their entertainment and music needs," said Jeff Hallock, vice president of consumer product marketing and strategy for Sprint. "The addition of Rhapsody Radio gives customers a popular catalog of commercial-free streaming music, music news and independent music videos which will allow Sprint customers a new way to discover artists."

"We are delighted to make some of the popular stations in Rhapsody Radio available to Sprint PCS customers," said Dan Sheeran, Senior Vice President of Premium Consumer Services, RealNetworks. "This is an important step in our plan to make Rhapsody available to consumers any time from any device."

Rhapsody Radio includes "Urban Hitz Radio," "Alternative Radio," "Country," "70s Station" and "Pop Hits," as well as "Beats N Breaks," which features the beats from many of today's most popular songs and allows subscribers to "freestyle" rap to the instrumental tracks. Customers can also enjoy streaming podcasts from KCRW - Santa Monica 89.9 FM (KCRW.com), National Public Radio's Southern California flagship station, including "Morning Becomes Eclectic," which showcases live recordings of in-studio performances by independent and unsigned artists and the popular "Le Show" with satirist Harry Shearer. Customers will also receive music news and reviews and music videos from IMNTV, part of the Global Music International Company and leading international aggregator of R&B, Hip Hop, International, Rock and Pop videos.

Real is the leading provider of online music-subscription services with more than 1.15 million subscribers to its PC-based services. Rhapsody Radio is the latest joint offering from Sprint and Real. The two companies currently offer a variety of steaming video content via Real - rTV.

Sprint PCS Vision Multimedia Services is available nationwide to customers with a Sprint PCS Vision Multimedia Phone, and channels, like Rhapsody Radio, can be purchased a la carte through the phone by going to Menu / Media Player and then selecting from a category of choices, including Music & Radio, Entertainment, News & Weather, and many more. Rhapsody Radio is the latest of four streaming music channels available to Sprint customers.

Customers can purchase Rhapsody Radio by typing in channel 39 in the Sprint Media Player or by going to the Music & Radio folder and selecting the new channel; the cost is $6.95 per month for unlimited access.