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.