NEW YORK, USA – RealNetworks Inc and MTV Networks said yesterday that they plan to spin off Rhapsody America LLC, their digital music service joint venture, into an independent company.

RealNetworks currently holds a 51 per cent stake in Rhapsody, with MTV parent Viacom International Inc. holding the rest. After the spinoff, neither will have operating control over the venture,

and both will own an equal minority stake in Rhapsody.

RealNetworks will pay US$18 million in cash, plus contribute the Rhapsody brand, in exchange for shares of convertible preferred stock of Rhapsody.

The companies expect to close the transaction by the end of the first quarter.

“Separating Rhapsody into its own independent company is a significant first step in making RealNetworks a more focused and profitable company,” said Robert Kimball, president and acting CEO for RealNetworks, in a statement.

Kimball became acting CEO last month after RealNetworks founder Rob Glaser stepped down from the post.

MTV is a unit of Viacom International Incorporated. The news sent shares of RealNetworks up 43 cents, or 10.3 per cent, to US$4.59 in after-hours trading. The stock had earlier finished regular trading up 2 cents at US$4.16. The shares have ranged from US$1.97 to US$4.73 over the past year. Viacom shares rose 79 cents, or 2.7 per cent, to close at US$30.49.