|
WJLA-TV Offers Completely Free Internet Access; Teams With 1stUp.com to Deliver Industry-Leading Access Offering to Consumers WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 8, 1999--Robert L. Allbritton, President of Allbritton Communications Company, announced today that WJLA-TV will offer free Internet service through a partnership with 1stUp.com Corporation, a leading provider of ad-supported Internet access solutions and a majority-owned operating company of CMGI, Inc. (Nasdaq:CMGI). The completely free, unlimited web access will be available virtually anywhere in the U.S. or Canada. WJLA's viewers will be able to download the free Internet application from the WJLA web site at www.wjla.com. Consumers will receive free, unlimited access in exchange for keeping a compact, movable navigation bar on their screens during the free online session. This navigation bar will present users with small advertisements as well as convenient links to WJLA and other leading web sites. Allbritton stated, "We are delighted to be the first broadcaster in America to merge the worlds of broadcasting and free Internet access. The business model of advertiser-supported, free television is easily duplicated in the world of Internet access. We know this business well and are very successful at providing valuable programming and services as well as advertising to our viewers. We believe the same will be true on the Web. It's a classic win-win for both Internet users and advertisers." WJLA is the ABC Network affiliate in Washington D.C., the nation's 8th largest market and is the latest partner to implement 1stUp.com's groundbreaking technical solution. "Through our partnerships with WJLA and other innovative companies, 1stUp.com is helping free the web for consumers," said Charles Katz, president and CEO of 1stUp.com. "People no longer need to pay for reliable, full-featured Internet access. 1stUp.com is committed to providing WJLA and its viewers with the most advanced free access technology on the market today." About WJLA WJLA is part of the Allbritton Communications Group ("ACG"). ACG through its affiliates owns or programs ABC affiliated stations in 7 additional markets: Harrisburg, PA (WHTM), Roanoke-Lynchburg, VA (WSET), Charleston, SC (WCIV), Birmingham-Tuscaloosa-Anniston, AL (WCFT/WJSU), Little Rock, AR (KATV), Tulsa, OK (KTUL) and Jacksonville, FL (WJXX). In addition, ACG, through an affiliate, owns and operates a 24-hour cable news channel in Washington, D.C., NewsChannel 8. ACG also has under its management umbrella, Potomac Networks, a provider of high speed Internet access and web hosting services. About 1stUp.com 1stUp.com, a majority-owned operating company of CMGI, Inc. (Nasdaq:CMGI), is the market leader in providing consumer-oriented businesses with ad-supported Internet access solutions. 1stUp.com provides patent-pending technology that enables its partners to brand, market and distribute leading edge, cost-effective Internet services to their customers. The 1stUp.com solution enables consumers to receive unlimited, free Internet access in exchange for keeping a compact, sponsor-oriented navigation bar on their computer screen. Multiple leading ISPs support 1stUp.com's premium network, which delivers free, reliable Internet access to over 90 percent of the U.S. and Canada. 1stUp.com's first partner, AltaVista Company, gained over 800,000 free access subscribers and became the seventh largest ISP in the country after just three months of offering the 1stUp.com service. Aggregating the end-user bases of AltaVista and other partners, 1stup.com has the buying power of multiple brands and is able to pass along the benefits of optimal connectivity costs and advertising revenues to its partners. For more information, visit www.1stup.com. About CMGI With more than 50 companies, CMGI, Inc. (Nasdaq:CMGI) represents the largest, most diverse network of Internet companies in the world. This network includes both CMGI operating companies and a growing number of synergistic investments through its venture capital affiliate, Ventures. CMGI leverages the technologies, content, and market reach of its extended family of companies to foster rapid growth and industry leadership across its network, and the larger Internet Economy. Microsoft, Intel, Sumitomo and Compaq hold minority positions in CMGI. CMGI's majority-owned operating companies include Engage Technologies (Nasdaq:ENGA), NaviSite (Nasdaq:NAVI), 1ClickBrands, 1stUp.com, Activate.net, Activerse, Adsmart, AltaVista, iCAST, Magnitude Network, MyWay.com, NaviNet, SalesLink, Tribal Voice and ZineZone. The company's Ventures affiliates have ownership interests in Lycos, Inc. (Nasdaq:LCOS), Critical Path (Nasdaq:CPTH), Silknet (Nasdaq:SILK), Chemdex (Nasdaq:CMDX), Asimba.com, AuctionWatch.com, Aureate Media, blaxxun, BizBuyer.com, Boatscape.com, buyingedge.com, CarParts.com, CraftShop.com, eCircles.com, EXP.com, FindLaw, Furniture.com, Gamers.com, HotLinks, INPHO/HomePriceCheck.com, Intelligent/Digital, KOZ.com, Mondera.com, MotherNature.com, MyFamily.com, NextMonet.com, NextPlanetOver.com, Oncology.com, OneCore.com, ONElist, PlanetOutdoors.com, Productopia, Raging Bull, Speech Machines, ThingWorld.com, Vicinity, Virtual Ink, Visto, Vstore and WebCT. CMGI Corporate headquarters is located at 100 Brickstone Square, Andover, MA 01810. Telephone: 978/684-3600. Fax: 978/684-3814. Additional information is available on the company's Web site at cmgi.com. --30--pw/sf* CONTACT: MS&L for 1stUp.com Tyrone Miller, 415/364-3845 tmillermslpr.com or Potomac Networks Dan Kunitz, 703/912-5480 danpotomacnet.com Today's News On The Net - Business Wire's full file on the Internet with Hyperlinks to your home page. URL: businesswire.com (c) 1998 Business Wire |
