Launch of New UK Web Network

Future Network PLC
10 November 1999

                FUTURE  LAUNCHES NEW UK WEB NETWORK
                                 
          Maximum PC Network to target UK PC enthusiasts


The Future Network plc ('Future'), the video games, home computing
and  other  specialist  consumer magazines and  online  publisher,
today  announces  that  it has launched the  Maximum  PC  Network,
(www.maximumpc.co.uk)  a  new UK web  network  aimed  at  computer
enthusiasts  and  those  seeking  advice  and  information   about
computing and the Internet.

The   Maximum  PC  Network  will  offer  regularly  updated  news,
articles,  tutorials  and  reviews from  Future's  market  leading
magazine websites together with links to independent websites that
provide expert information for PC users.  Examples include Windows
troubleshooting,  expert website design advice and  free  software
downloads worth thousands of pounds.

The  Maximum  PC  Network's homepage, or network hub,  is  updated
twice  every  weekday, and highlights all the  new  content  being
continually  added  to  the  various websites  that  make  up  the
network.   It  also  provides instant access to 26  topic  related
discussion  forums, where users can get answers to  virtually  any
computing related question or simply exchange views and tips  with
other  PC  enthusiasts.   Future has  plans  to  launch  dedicated
auctions and free-email services to the site soon and is  also  in
discussions with various retailers to provide online shopping  for
PC and related products.

The  various  sites that make up the network currently  serve  2.6
million  ad  impressions  per  month.   Future  will  control  the
advertising  for the entire network.  Affiliate sites  will  carry
Future's  banner advertising and links to the Maximum  PC  network
homepage  on  their  own  pages, in return  for  a  share  of  the
advertising profit.  Under the network model, Future  is  able  to
generate  higher  advertising revenues for its own  and  affiliate
sites  than can be achieved by the individual sites on their  own.
Future will also use the network to promote its own magazines  and
to drive online magazine subscriptions.

The  Maximum PC Network UK is based on Future's highly  successful
US  PC  network site (www.maximumpc.com).  Launched in April 1999,
maximumpc.com offers news, reviews, tips and advice on all aspects
of  computing  as well as discussion forums, auctions,  e-commerce
and  free  software downloads.  According to Delphi Inc,  Future's
technology    partner    for    providing    discussion    forums,
maximumpc.com's forums are the second most active of  any  of  the
many  thousands  of forums Delphi hosts for third party  websites.
Maximumpc.com currently serves 16 million ad impressions per month
and  its advertising revenues have increased four-fold in the nine
months since the network was launched.

Commenting  on  the  launch of the latest  UK  web  network,  Greg
Ingham, Chief Executive of Future, said:

'Maximum PC Network UK follows our successful US network model and
brings  together the leading online content for anyone in  the  UK
who  is interested in learning about computing and how to get  the
most  out  of  their  computer  and the  Internet.   By  providing
additional services such as forums, free e-mail, auctions  and  e-
commerce  we  are able to attract greater traffic to  the  network
sites  and  keep  them within the network, thereby maximising  the
revenue opportunities for Future and our network affiliates.'

Maximum  PC  Network is edited by Chris Mitchell, a  respected  IT
journalist and Web designer.  Chris writes regularly for the Daily
Telegraph's Connected section as well as several Future Publishing
computer  magazines.   He  has been  the  online  editor  of  .net
magazine for the past two years.

Future's  online  activities include  the  operation  of  over  20
magazine  websites, the publication of an e-mail games  newsletter
and  the  operation  of  five web networks focused  on  computing,
games,  music and football.  FutureNet recently signed  agreements
with three leading Internet technology companies to provide online
auction  services (Fairmarket), online discussion forums (Delphi),
and free e-mail services (Critical Path) to users of its websites.


For further information:

Greg Ingham, Chief executive        Tel: [phone]
Future Network

James Longfield                     Tel: [phone]
Hogarth Partnership


Background on the Future Network:

The Future Network was founded in the UK in 1985.  Since this time
it has become the leading publisher of video games and home
computing magazines in the UK, France, Italy and the US.
Headquartered in Bath, England, Future is the fourth largest
publisher in the UK.  It employs over 1,400 people in offices in
Bath, London, San Francisco, New York, Paris, Milan and Munich.
Future publishes 112 magazines worldwide and has extensive online
activities generating over 50 million page views per month.
Future was floated on the London Stock Exchange in June 1999 and
has a current market capitalisation of over £1 billion.

Background on FutureNet:

FutureNet is the global Internet business activity of The Future
Network.  It currently serves the PC, Mac, Games, Music and
Football communities in the US and the UK with sites like
maximumpc.com, maximumpc.co.uk, macdaily.com, samplenet.co.uk, and
ufn.co.uk.  FutureNet provides rich, community and information-
based services to people in these and related markets worldwide.
The FutureNet model is simple: Aggregate content (from Future's
magazines and affiliated sites) and provide services (such as
auctions, e-mail and discussion forums) to build high traffic in
concentrated areas that will be of great value to marketers.
FutureNet plans to role out in Germany, France, Italy and other
Future Network territories next year.