REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 9, 1999 — Expedia® Radio plans to expand to more than 50 commercial stations nationwide beginning Saturday, Sept. 11. This follows Expedia Radio’s launch only two months ago in five markets and attests to the quality and effectiveness of the show.
Hosted by Seattle radio veterans John Fisher and Mike West, Expedia Radio is currently a one-hour, weekly travel radio program designed as an audio companion to the Expedia.com TM travel service, the Internet’s leading online travel site. Listeners can book trips they heard about during the program, which includes Travel News, Best Places and Deals segments, as well as content provided by expert travel correspondents and guest celebrities. Features offer timely and entertaining information on all aspects of travel, from exotic destinations to practical advice for weekend travelers.
By joining Talk Radio Network’s impressive array of shows – including those featuring Bob Dornan, Lucianne Goldberg and Barry Farber – Expedia Radio would become the first travel radio program on Talk Radio Network.
“We are proud to carry Expedia Radio because its engaging blend of entertainment and interactive content so perfectly suits TRN’s vision for the future of radio,”
said Michael D. Lofrano, chief operating officer, Talk Radio Network.
“Expedia Radio is a brilliant adaptation of the power of radio and the Internet, allowing users of Expedia.com to benefit from an enhanced broadcast product while exposing radio listeners to the online convenience of this wonderful Web site.”
A complete listing of anticipated stations and air times for Expedia Radio, along with the previous week’s show, is available at http://expedia.com/daily/radio/ .
About Talk Radio Network
TRN first grabbed the attention of the broadcast industry by developing famed talk-show host Art Bell and building him to national prominence. Since then, with hosts like former congressman Bob Dornan, Lucianne Goldberg, Barry Farber and Roger Fredinburg, Talk Radio Network hasn’t looked back. Already reaching hundreds of cities nationwide, TRN recently launched a second network with others planned for 2000.
As one of the first in the industry to utilize the power of the Internet, TRN is partnering with quality companies like Microsoft to bring its value-focused programming to a worldwide audience. The power of the Web is changing the industry, and Talk Radio Network is fast becoming known as a pre-eminent
“national radio station,”
a new development in broadcasting.
About Expedia.com
Expedia.com ( http://expedia.com/ ) is the leading place to go on the Web to find the right trip at the right price. People can book air, car and hotel reservations as well as find vacations, cruises and other travel options. Along with booking travel, Expedia.com helps people plan their trips with in-depth destination information, travel news and mapping services.
Expedia.com leads the online travel industry in sales and customer traffic. Expedia.com was the most visited online travel site for the last four months including each month of the second quarter of fiscal year 1999, according to Media Metrix, with 4.2 million visitors in July.
Second-quarter sales surpassed $183 million, more than triple the sales for the same period in 1998. Expedia.com has also been recognized as the top online travel site by such prestigious publications as PC Magazine, PC World, PC Computing, Macworld, Computerworld and Brill’s Content.
A credit card guarantee is offered on Expedia.com (U.S. and Canadian versions only) to protect credit cards used on the Internet from fraud. With this service, after customers use their credit cards on Expedia.com, the cards are protected from fraud liability – up to $50 (U.S.) – on any purchases made in the subsequent 12 months on or off the Internet. Expedia.com also offers exceptional customer service, with more than 250 travel representatives and travel agents available via a toll-free number and e-mail 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Expedia.com is also available under Travel on MSN.com.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software for personal computers. The company offers a wide range of products and services for business and personal use, each designed with the mission of making it easier and more enjoyable for people to take advantage of the full power of personal computing every day.
Microsoft, Expedia and Expedia.com are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages.
