Acquisition

Future Network PLC
22 October 2003

22 October 2003


                             THE FUTURE NETWORK PLC

                   Acquisition of Computec Media (UK) Limited

The Future Network plc ('Future'), the international magazine Group, today
announces that it has conditionally agreed to acquire Computec Media UK Limited
('CMUK') from its parent company, Computec Media AG ('CMAG').  The consideration
is £3.2m, payable at completion, which will be funded from Future's cash
resources; Future has also agreed a licensing arrangement with CMAG in Germany.

CMUK publishes an unofficial PlayStation magazine, PSW, which was launched in
2000 and had an average monthly circulation of 53,349 copies for the six months
to June 2003 (source: ABC circulation figures), sales of which have exceeded
this level since June 2003.  CMUK also publishes an unofficial Xbox magazine,
Xbox World, which was launched in February 2003 and now has sales of more than
25,000 copies a month.

Future has agreed the terms of a licence permitting content from a number of its
UK titles to be used by CMAG in Germany.  No cash consideration is payable in
respect of the licence which will expire on 31 December 2008 or, if earlier,
when notional licence value of £1.8m has been utilised by CMAG.  Future
currently has nearly 100 overseas licensed editions of its magazines but, since
just one is in Germany, it considers the opportunity cost of this licence to be
minimal.

The transaction is conditional upon Future being satisfied with the audited
financial statements of CMUK for the financial year ended 30 September 2003 and
upon Future receiving certain bank guarantees.  In its previous financial year
ended 30 September 2002, CMUK generated turnover of £4.7m.

After completion, production of the magazines and the CMUK staff will transfer
to Future's London office.  Future expects that the titles acquired will be
profitable in 2004 and that the CMUK acquisition will create a post-tax return
on investment in 2004 in excess of Future's weighted average cost of capital.
The transaction is also expected to enhance earnings per share.

Commenting on the acquisition, Future Chief Executive Greg Ingham said:

'Computec has carved out a distinctive and profitable niche within the UK games
segment.  Both main titles have attractive long-term prospects.  We are pleased
to add these titles to our portfolio of leading games titles.

'This acquisition is consistent with our strategy of strengthening our centres
of excellence: guitars in September for the US, games in October for the UK.'

Enquiries:

The Future Network plc
Greg Ingham, Chief Executive          Tel: [phone]
John Bowman, Finance Director         Tel: [phone]

Hogarth Partnership
James Longfield/Georgina Briscoe      Tel: [phone]


About The Future Network plc

The Future Network plc was founded in the UK in 1985.  Today, it publishes over
90 specialist consumer magazines worldwide, is the world's leading publisher of
games magazines and is the fifth largest magazine publisher in the UK.

Future employs around 1,000 people in offices in the UK, US, France and Italy.
Nearly 100 international editions of Future's magazines are also published in 28
other countries across the world. The company is listed on the London Stock
Exchange (symbol: FNET).

Future announced on 16 September 2003 its financial results for the half-year to
30 June 2003.  Future reported an adjusted operating profit of £6.5m on turnover
of £80.6m; and net cash at 30 June 2003 of £17.3m.



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