Best Buy Signs 1 Million Customers to MSN

MINNEAPOLIS and REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 2, 2000 — Best Buy Co. Inc. and Microsoft Corp. today announced they have reached a milestone in their joint marketing and distribution alliance by signing up more than 1 million customers for MSN® Internet Access online service since November 1999. In addition, Best Buy will be one of the first retailers to offer the MSN Explorer Internet software recently unveiled by MSN, which combines the best of MSN content and services – including the MSN Hotmail® Web-based e-mail service, the MSN MoneyCentral™ online personal finance service, MSN Shopping and MSN Search – with the best of Microsoft® Internet software – such as Internet Explorer, MSN Messenger and Windows Media™
Player. The new MSN Explorer delivers a single integrated experience that helps consumers get more from the Web.

MSN Explorer is now available at Best Buy retail locations and can be ordered online at BestBuy.com. Consumers can visit Best Buy to learn about and purchase MSN Internet Access for $21.95 a month, and for the first time, Best Buy is offering its MSN rebate program to online customers.

“Signing up 1 million MSN Internet Access subscribers since last November makes it clear that the ongoing alliance between Best Buy and MSN is a success and that we’re accomplishing our goal of bringing easy-to-use and affordable Internet Access to our customers,”
said Phil Schoonover, senior vice president of Digital Technology Solutions at Best Buy.
“Combining Best Buy’s retail and distribution expertise with exciting MSN content and services has proven to be a winning combination.”

MSN and Best Buy are committed to offering consumers exciting incentives and great reasons to get online with MSN Internet Access.
“For users who are just not satisfied with their current Internet experience, MSN makes it easier than ever to switch,”
said Yusuf Mehdi, vice president of MSN at Microsoft.
“The combination of Best Buy’s compelling retail offers and the introduction of MSN Explorer make MSN the easiest way to get online.”

MSN Explorer makes getting online for the first time easy with a streamlined setup process. MSN also makes it easy for users who aren’t satisfied with their current ISP to switch to MSN by offering tools and services that simplify the process. Relevant data such as Internet favorites and address book entries are automatically imported to MSN, and consumers can even choose to have MSN notify their friends and family about their new e-mail address.

Availability

In an effort to extend its success in bringing consumers and technology together through connectivity, content and products, Best Buy is expanding its $400 rebate program for MSN subscriptions. By subscribing for up to three years of MSN Internet service through Best Buy, customers can save as much as $400 on Best Buy products. To complement the immediate MSN rebate available in the stores, Best Buy is offering a $400 MSN mail-in rebate through BestBuy.com. When MSN is ordered at BestBuy.com, an MSN Welcome Kit will arrive in the mail so the customer can begin subscribing to the service. In addition, the customer will receive the $400 mail-in rebate that can be redeemed with an MSN subscription and qualifying BestBuy.com purchase amount. With the new MSN Explorer software, new switching tools and continued rebate deals, MSN and Best Buy present consumers with their best opportunity ever to try MSN.

About MSN

MSN gives consumers a new home on the Internet – a central place where they can get everything they need from the Web and make the most out of their time online. With more than 210 million visitors in September, the MSN integrated network of content and services is the most popular destination on the Internet. MSN is available in 33 markets and in 17 languages – a broader global presence than any other portal. MSN takes advantage of the Microsoft .NET Platform to offer leading services, any time, any place and on any device, with the most integrated and personalized user experience for communications, search, shopping, personal finance and entertainment. MSN Internet Access and the recently introduced MSN Explorer offer the quickest, most personal and exciting ways to get on to and take advantage of the Web. Best-of-breed services include the MSN Hotmail Web-based e-mail service, the world’s largest e-mail system; MSN Messenger Service, one of the fastest growing instant messaging services on the Web; MSN Search, the second most popular online search service; MSN Mobile, the customizable wireless information service; the award-winning MSN MoneyCentral online personal finance guide; MSN eShop, the one-stop online shopping resource; and MSN Custom Web Sites, the easy way to share information on the Web. MSN is located on the Web at http://www.msn.com/ .

About Best Buy Co. Inc.

Minneapolis-based Best Buy Co. Inc. (NYSE
“BBY”
) is the nation’s No. 1 specialty retailer of consumer electronics, personal computers, entertainment software and appliances.

The company reaches consumers nationwide through its more than 400 retail stores located in 40 states and online at http://www.bestbuy.com/ .

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software – any time, any place and on any device.

Microsoft, MSN, Hotmail, MoneyCentral and Windows Media are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the 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.

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