ABC circulations figures

Future Network PLC
16 August 2002



16 August 2002


                           The Future Network plc

     Half-year ABC figures show strong UK performance in games magazines


The Future Network plc (LSE:FNET), the international specialist consumer
magazine group, today releases the latest ABC audited circulation figures for
the 16 titles in its UK portfolio of 50 monthly magazines with a half-year
audit. These include all 11 of Future's UK video games magazines.


Key highlights:


•         Official PlayStation 2 Magazine maintains its position as the UK's
fastest growing monthly consumer magazine with a 138% increase on the
corresponding period last year. Future's unofficial PSM2 title increased 83%
over the previous year and ranks as the second fastest growing monthly consumer
magazine.

•         Future publishes the number one and two magazines in the early-stage
Xbox sector. Future's Xbox titles are published by a separate wholly-owned
subsidiary FXM International.

•         Continued activity in the video games console market is reflected in
the Group's overall performance. Future's share of the overall UK games magazine
market increases to 65% - up from 55% in the July to December 2001 period and
from 53% in the first half of 2001.

•         Overall, Future's UK video games magazines now sell an average of
687,978 copies per month, up 22% on the previous six months.

•         The magazines in Future's other divisions (Computing and
Entertainment) that reported six monthly ABCs included first time figures for
Microsoft Windows XP: The Official Magazine, which debuted at 41,569 and the
motoring title Redline, which recorded its first ABC at 58,098. Total Film
increased 10% year-on-year, registering its 10th successive circulation increase
and the music title Metal Hammer was up 16% year on year, recording its fourth
consecutive sales increase.


Greg Ingham, Chief Executive of The Future Network, commented:


'These are encouraging ABC figures, particularly in relation to our games
magazines, which continue to show the benefits of the increased activity in the
video games market. Our market share of UK games magazines, at 65%, has reached
its highest-ever point and in Official PlayStation 2 Magazine we have the
fastest growing monthly magazine in the UK for the second time. With the second
half of the year traditionally the stronger one for our games magazines, we are
in a good position to benefit if console sales perform as expected.'


For further information:


The Future Network plc                              01225 442244
Greg Ingham, Chief Executive
John Bowman, Finance Director


Hogarth Partnership
James Longfield/Georgina Briscoe                    020 7357 9477


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 past six-month
period.  Future currently publishes 50 monthly magazines in the UK, out of a
total of over 80 titles across the group.


As already announced Future will be announcing its interim financial results on
4 September 2002.



About The Future Network plc


Future was founded in the UK in 1985. Today it publishes over 80 magazines
worldwide and is the world's leading publisher of video games magazines. The
company also licenses 32 of its titles resulting in over 60 local editions in a
further 23 countries. Future employs more than 1,000 people in offices in the
UK, US, France and Italy. The Company was floated on the London Stock Exchange
in June 1999.


FXM International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Future Network, is
responsible for the commercial development of the Official Xbox Magazine licence
outside the US.


A breakdown of the ABC figures for The Future Network's
individual UK titles audited for the period for Jan - Jun 2002


Games



                PlayStation Magazines                             Jan - Jun 2002

Official PlayStation 2 Magazine                        195,293

Official PlayStation Magazine                          74,383

PlayStation Max                                        24,779

Official PlayStation 2 Special Edition                 39,408

PSM2                                                   81,464

                Other Games Magazines                             Jan - Jun 2002

Edge                                                   31,063

GamesMaster                                            58,656

NGC                                                    30,626

PC Gamer                                               80,413


                Xbox Magazines*                                   Jan - Jun 2002

Official UK Xbox Magazine                              38,409**

X Gamer                                                33,484**


Computing Division

                                                                  Jan - Jun 2002

Microsoft Windows XP: The Official Magazine            41,569**


Entertainment Division

                                                                  Jan - Jun 2002

Classic Rock                                          38,554

Metal Hammer                                          44,070

Redline                                               58,098**

Total Film                                            85,766

*Xbox magazines are published by The Future Network's wholly-owned subsidiary,
FXM International. All other games magazines are published by Future Publishing.

**First audit


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange