Distribution of audio and other multimedia content is accomplished by generating a multimedia session consisting of at least one multimedia program, generating a data session consisting of digital files including at least one software player program and a digital compressed file corresponding to the multimedia program; and distributing the multimedia and data sessions to consumers. The consumers can selectively play the multimedia program from said multimedia session through a player device, and through a computer by using the software player program to manipulate the compressed file. In one aspect of the invention, the multimedia and data sessions are recorded on a physical medium, such as a CD or DVD, and the medium is then distributed. In another aspect, the sessions are combined and transmitted electronically. The data session can include information associated with the multimedia content, in the form of text and graphic files.