LOS ANGELES, and REDMOND, Wash., Aug. 19, 2004 — The newly formed alliance between FOXSports.com and the MSN
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network of Internet services contributed to a 265 percent increase in site visitors to FOXSports.com on MSN, according to the latest ratings from Nielsen//NetRatings. During July 2004, the newly relaunched FOXSports.com on MSN was the fastest-growing sports Web site in the United States, with more than 9.4 million unique users.
Launched July 1, the redesigned site offers fans and marketing partners a rich blend of exclusive editorial content and fast, easy access to breaking news, scores, streaming video, game highlights and much more. The alliance with MSN helped make July the most successful month in history for FOX Sports’ Web business.
“This alliance has been successful for both MSN and FOX Sports, as well as for marketers looking to reach a sports-focused audience,” said Joanne Bradford, vice president and chief media revenue officer at MSN. “Together, we’re providing sports fans with a one-stop shop for all the latest sports news, including exclusive editorial content and interactive features, and giving marketers the ability to reach a targeted and engaged audience.”
The increased traffic to FOXSports.com on MSN in July was propelled by several major sports events, including the Tour de France, the British Open, Wimbledon and the Major League Baseball 2004 All-Star Game, which aired on FOX Broadcasting.
“We are very pleased with the early results of our alliance with MSN,” said Ross Levinsohn, senior vice president and general manager of FOXSports Interactive Media. “With the NFL, college football and the Major League Baseball playoffs just around the corner and all broadcast on FOX Sports television properties, we think together with MSN we have tremendous momentum to carry this alliance to even stronger results.”
Video streaming proved to be another significant performer on the new MSN site, as broadband users sought out millions of streams from FOX Sports and Fox Sports Net content, including clips from the “Best Damn Sports Show Period”; “I, Max”; and the Regional Sports Reports.
Also in July, FOXSports.com debuted its sports-and-entertainment-themed area, called Funhouse, for MSN users. The Funhouse instantly became one of the most highly viewed sections on the site, appealing to a broad cross-section of the global MSN audience. The area focuses on light, entertaining sports news, including sports gossip and interviews from “Best Damn Sports Show Period” star Leeann Tweeden, extensive photo galleries from the world of sports, and engaging off-beat sports columns from an array of accomplished writers.
August could be another record month for FOXSports.com on MSN, with the start of the college football season, fantasy football games, the National Football League preseason and the Summer Olympics.
About FOX Sports, Fox Sports Net and FOX Sports Interactive Media
In just 10 years of existence, FOX Sports has earned 60 Emmy Awards for excellence in the presentation of the biggest sporting events on television, more than any other network during the same stretch of time. FOX Sports is the exclusive network broadcast rights holder for Major League Baseball, the exclusive network broadcaster of NFC regular-season National Football League games and a rights holder of NASCAR NEXTEL Cup racing. Fox Sports Net reaches more than 81 million homes through its 20 regional sports channels, and serves as the only supplier of national, regional and local sports programming. FOX Sports Interactive Media (FSIM) develops new media initiatives for FOX Sports and Fox Sports Net. FSIM distribution channels include Internet ( http://www.foxsports.com/ ), broadband, wireless and interactive television. FOXSports.com on MSN is a comprehensive and entertaining online source of sports news, information, listings, games and special features about programming on FOX Sports, Fox Sports Net, FOX Sports Radio and much more from the world of sports. FSIM is owned and managed by FOX Sports Networks, a subsidiary of Fox Entertainment Group (NYSE “FOX”), a division of News Corp.
About MSN
MSN attracts more than 350 million unique users worldwide per month. With localized versions available globally in 38 markets and 18 languages, MSN is a world leader in delivering Web services to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide. The most useful and innovative online service today, MSN brings consumers everything they need from the Web to make the most of their time online. MSN is located on the Web at http://www.msn.com/ . MSN worldwide sites are located at http://www.msn.com/worldwide.ashx .
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.Microsoft and MSN are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. The FOXSports.com, FOX Sports Interactive Media and Fox Sports Net name and logos are trademarks of or otherwise owned by 20th Century Fox and its related entities. All rights reserved.The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
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