ABC Circulation figures

Future Network PLC
14 February 2003

14 February 2003


                              The Future Network plc

                   Future's UK magazine circulation grows by 14%

The Future Network plc (LSE:FNET) today releases the latest ABC audited
circulation figures for its UK magazines. Overall the ABC figures show a 14.3%
increase in total year-on-year circulation of the audited titles.

Key highlights:

Games

•         Overall Future's UK computer games magazine sales, including launches,
increase by 22.7% year-on-year to over 690,000 copies per month, confirming the
first half trend. Future's share of the UK games magazine market increases from
55% to 61% year-on-year by volume and from 60% to 67% by value;

•         Official PlayStation 2 Magazine shows a 56.8% year-on-year increase to
197,348 - average monthly circulation. Official UK Xbox Magazine, which launched
in February 2002, extends its position as leader in the Xbox segment with a
50.5% rise over its June ABC figure.

Digital

•         Launch of Microsoft Windows XP: The Official Magazine drove an overall
divisional increase of 5.5% year-on-year and offset declines elsewhere. Future's
share of the computer magazine market increases from 24% to 29% year-on-year by
volume and from 37% to 46% by value.

Entertainment

•         Solid performance from the entertainment division, in particular from
the music titles, where six out of eight magazines recorded year-on-year growth.
Total Film, records 11th successive increase (up 3.5% year-on-year to 85,977),
Cross Stitcher increases circulation by 11.0% year-on-year to 75,217 and
Redline, which registered its first ABC in June 2002, records a 13.0% rise to
65,653 in the car market.

Greg Ingham, Chief Executive of The Future Network, comments:

'This is another set of encouraging ABC figures, which clearly show the impact
of the continued strength of the computer games market and of our return to a
more active launch programme.

'Our UK games portfolio, and in particular our Official PlayStation 2 and Xbox
magazines, continues to lead its market with overall games magazine sales up
22.7% year on year, confirming the first half trend. We have also seen a number
of successes in our entertainment division, most notably from our music
magazines. Market conditions remain tough for computing titles, which showed
several declines. However, we're pleased that our computing market share has
increased five points to 29%, helped by the strong launch of our Official
Microsoft Windows XP magazine.'

For further information:

The Future Network plc                    01225 442244
Greg Ingham, Chief Executive
John Bowman, Finance Director

Hogarth Partnership
James Longfield/Georgina Briscoe          020 7357 9477


Notes to Editors:

The annual comparison includes continuing magazines and first time ABCs but
excludes closures and disposals.

A list of the ABC circulation figures for each audited UK title is attached.
These ABCs are the average audited circulation figures for either the past year
or the past six-month period (depending on whether the magazine undertakes
annual or six monthly audits). Future produces ABC figures for 43 monthly
magazines in the UK, out of a total of over 54 regular titles. The Group
publishes over 80 magazines overall.

Xbox magazines are published by The Future Network's wholly-owned subsidiary,
FXM International. All other magazines are published by UK arm Future
Publishing.

The Group's preliminary results will be announced on 11 March 2003.

About The Future Network plc

The Future Network was founded in the UK in 1985. Today it publishes over 80
specialist consumer magazines worldwide and is the world's leading publisher of
computer games magazines. Future employs around 1,000 people in offices in the
UK, US, Italy and France. The company also licenses 38 of its titles to
international publishing partners, resulting in over 70 local editions in a
further 27 countries. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange (symbol
FNET).

            A breakdown of the ABC figures for The Future Network's
          individual UK titles for Jan - Dec 2002 and Jul - Dec 2002

Games

                                                                          Jul - Dec 2002
                PlayStation Magazines
Official PlayStation 2 Magazine                        197,348
Official PlayStation Magazine                          50,185
PlayStation 2 Max                                      20,249
Official PlayStation 2 Special Edition                 41,804
Official PlayStation 2 Tips                            22,020
PSM2                                                   70,049
                    Xbox Magazines
Official UK Xbox Magazine                              57,809
X Gamer                                                23,033
                Other Games Magazines
Edge                                                   28,126
GamesMaster                                            65,231
NGC                                                    38,539
PC Gamer                                               76,059



Digital

                                                              Jan - Dec 2002 (except where indicated)
.net                                                   30,003
3D World                                               13,436
Computer Arts                                          30,024
Computer Arts Special                                  21,285
Internet Advisor                                       14,661
Internet Works                                         16,626
Linux Format                                           23,364
MacFormat                                              20,224
Microsoft Windows XP: The Official Magazine            50,342  (Jul - Dec 2002)
PC Answers                                             40,361
PC Format                                              63,299
PC Plus                                                73,262


Entertainment


                                                             Jan - Dec 2002 (except where indicated)
Classic Rock                                          40,271  (Jul - Dec 2002)
Computer Music                                        27,819
Cross Stitcher                                        75,217
Cycling Plus                                          21,839
Future Music                                          21,700
Good Woodworking                                      18,294
Guitar Techniques                                     18,563
Guitarist                                             25,495
Hi Fi Choice                                          12,847
Home Entertainment                                    12,746
Manchester United Magazine                            44,363
Mountain Biking UK                                    50,094
Metal Hammer                                          35,536  (Jul - Dec 2002)
Redline                                               65,653  (Jul - Dec 2002
Rhythm                                                8,187
SFX                                                   39,603
T3                                                    50,333
Total Film                                            85,977  (Jul - Dec 2002)
Total Guitar                                          38,452


                                                Total 1,780,328




                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange