ABC Circulation Figures

Future Network PLC 14 August 2003 14 August 2003 The Future Network plc UK and US circulation update The Future Network plc (LSE: FNET), the international specialist consumer magazine publisher, today releases the latest ABC audited circulation figures for 19 titles in its UK portfolio of 59 monthly magazines. These include 13 of Future's UK computer games magazines. It is also releasing its circulation figures for its US magazines. UK highlights: • Future's market share of the games segment remains level year on year at 65% by volume and 70% by Retail Sales Value; overall UK games titles are down 3.8% year on year at 661,539 copies per month, reflecting a relatively quiet period for new game launches. • Official PlayStation2 Magazine reflects the overall trend, down 3.7% year on year at 188,079 average monthly circulation - 123K ahead of its nearest competitor. Future's share of the PlayStation magazine segment has increased to just over 70%. Official Xbox Magazine at 80,179 is confirmed as the fastest growing consumer magazine in the UK, with a 108% increase in circulation year on year. Future has just over 75% share of the Xbox magazine segment. • Strong performances from the magazines in Future's other divisions (Digital and Entertainment) that reported six monthly ABCs. These include first six-monthly figures for Digital Camera Magazine of 33,085, making it the UK's second biggest-selling digital camera title, as well as strong year-on-year performances from Microsoft Windows XP: The Official Magazine (up 47.1% at 61,163), Redline (up 22.3% at 71,071) and Classic Rock (up 12.9% at 43,545). Total Film increased 5.5% year-on-year to 90,454, registering its 12th successive circulation increase. US highlights: • First time Jan - June figures for Official Xbox Magazine of 344,731 and an 18% increase in Future's unofficial PlayStation magazine, PSM, to 403,617, drive Future's US games portfolio up 61% year on year to 1,048,619 copies per month. Future once more has the largest-selling PlayStation, Xbox and PC games magazines. • Computing magazines hold firm at 498,282, leading to an overall circulation increase of 33% in Future's US magazine portfolio. 10th July pre-close trading update: On 10 July 2003, Future issued a pre-close trading update which included that (a) circulation revenues for the group as a whole were up 8% for the first five months of 2003; (b) computer games sector revenues had shown a 13% year-on-year increase; and (c) that group profitability to date was in line with internal expectations. Greg Ingham, Chief Executive of The Future Network, commented: 'Overall, these are satisfactory figures, particularly on Xbox in the US and UK and despite the slight weakness in some UK circulations. The UK games market has had a quiet few months, which has impacted copy sales. Elsewhere there have been good results for our other audited titles in the UK. 'Our business is historically weighted to the second half - particularly the fourth quarter - and we expect this trend to continue this year.' For further information: The Future Network plc 01225 442244 Greg Ingham, Chief Executive Hogarth Partnership 020 7357 9477 James Longfield/Georgina Briscoe Notes to Editors: A list of the ABC circulation figures for each audited UK title is attached. These ABCs are the average audited circulation figures for the six-months January to June 2003. Future currently publishes 59 monthly magazines in the UK, out of a total of over 90 titles across the group. The annual comparison includes continuing magazines and first time ABCs but excludes closures and disposals. The audited circulation figures for Future's US titles will be published by ABC on Monday 18 August 2003 and will subsequently be available at http:// www.accessabc.com/. As already announced Future will be announcing its interim financial results on 16 September 2003. About The Future Network plc The Future Network was founded in the UK in 1985. Today, it publishes over 90 specialist consumer magazines worldwide, is the world's leading publisher of computer 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. Over 80 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 Publishing Ltd, FXM International Ltd and Future Network USA Inc are wholly-owned subsidiaries of The Future Network plc. A breakdown of the ABC figures for The Future Network's individual UK titles audited for the period for Jan - Jun 2003 Future Publishing - Games Division Jan - Jun 2003 Edge 27,315 GamesMaster 59,222 NGC 32,253 PC Gamer 65,573 Official PlayStation 2 Magazine 188,079 Official PlayStation Magazine 31,774 PS2 Gaming Max 23,596 PlayStation 2 Special Edition (bi-monthly) 25,117 PlayStation 2 Official Tips 19,235 PSM2 58,527 FXM International Jan - Jun 2003 Official Xbox Magazine 80,179 Official Xbox Special (quarterly) 15,959 Xbox Gamer 34,710 Future Publishing - Digital Division Jan - Jun 2003 Digital Camera Magazine 33,085* Microsoft Windows XP: The Official Magazine 61,163 Future Publishing - Entertainment Division Jan - Jun 2003 Classic Rock 43,545 Metal Hammer 35,876 Redline 71,071 Total Film 90,454 *First six-monthly audit Publishers' estimates of the ABC and BPA figures for The Future Network's individual US titles for the period for Jan - Jun 2003 Jan - Jun 2003 PSM 403,617 PC Gamer 300,271 Official Xbox Magazine 344,731** MaximumPC 315,739 MacAddict 182,543 **First Jan - Jun audit This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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