It is not very well known. But for the past several years, RealNetworks has operated the Web site for Rolling Stone. But, according to a report in Media Week, that relationship will end next year as the publishing company behind the iconic magazine looks to take more control over its Web properties.

Publisher Jann Wenner also is considering dumping the RealNetworks Rhopsody service, which is part of the Rolling Stone site, according to Media Week. 

The story notes that Rolling Stone's Web site has been slow to adopt new technologies -- like Facebook Connect and online video -- and its broad general music theme makes it especially tough to attract advertisers.

“There are many sites that are better at music, better at celebrity, better at news,” digital media expert Dave Martin tells Media Week. “When you’re trying to dabble in so many [areas], it’s hard to stay fresh. They have always been more than just a music magazine, but from an advertiser perspective, that makes it hard to buy.”

When the deal between RealNetworks and Rolling Stone was announced in 2004, Wenner noted that Real was the "ideal partner" to provide music lovers with "new ways to experience, learn about and interact with music."

RealNetworks CEO Rob Glaser appeared equally excited about the deal, noting at the time that the partnership "provides a valuable new way for us to reach a large audience of Net-savvy music fans with our online music products and services, and a powerful way to differentiate our roster of holdings in the digital music space."

Financial details were not disclosed at that time. But the deal was set for seven years, with Media Week saying the contract expires next year.

[Via paidContent]