Motor Trend TV Will Hit Airwaves via Multicast Broadcasting Format

LOS ANGELES April 19, 2006; PRIMEDIA Inc., the leading targeted media company in the United States, today announced the launch of a 24-hour broadcast television network, "Motor Trend TV" in 2007 through a partnership with Multicast Networks Group (MNG). Motor Trend TV, which will be available via multicast broadcast to markets throughout the U.S., was facilitated through PRIMEDIA Enterprises, PRIMEDIA's business development arm.

MNG, an Indianapolis, IN-based company which specializes in bringing broadcasters additional content specifically tailored for the multicast environment, will provide the infrastructure for Motor Trend TV.

Motor Trend TV will be created exclusively for multicast using local broadcast digital spectrum. Many local broadcasters find themselves with extra bandwidth as they continue the mandatory migration from analog to digital spectrum. Motor Trend TV was created to give these local broadcasters a means to address excess bandwidth inventory with quality programming and new advertising opportunities.

"We're thrilled to bring Motor Trend TV to televisions nationwide through multicast because it puts us squarely into the realm of the next generation of broadcasting," said Jacqueline Blum, president of PRIMEDIA Enterprises. "With this, we're able to give local broadcasters an entire network through a technology that capitalizes on the mass migration to digital. MNG gives the network the legs it needs to serve the passions of a significant and growing audience of automotive enthusiasts that now demand targeted content networks."

"Motor Trend is a powerful brand in and beyond the automotive enthusiast category," added Ira Gabriel, publisher, Motor Trend magazine. "Through the network, Motor Trend can build meaning and relevance among an even broader audience, as well as create new interactions and connection points between the brand, advertisers and viewers in local markets across the country."

MULTICASTING

The multicast format allows Motor Trend TV to offer broad reach and brings unprecedented opportunity for local broadcasters to tap unrealized revenue sources by maximizing the value of their excess digital spectrum. Via multicasting, local stations can air additional broadcast channels within the primary broadcast signal's digital bandwidth. Broadcasters, in cooperation with local cable operators, make the channel available to digital cable subscribers at no additional charge. Consumers without cable service can view the channel for free via an over-the-air digital receiver.

"This is a partnership that pairs a strong brand with innovative programming and technology," said Jon Findley, President & COO of Multicast Networks Group. "Motor Trend Network is not just coming to TV; it's coming to TV though the fresh concept of multicasting. The network will reach television viewers throughout the nation in an effective and powerful way, and gives broadcasters access to untapped revenue streams."

PROGRAMMING

Motor Trend TV will draw from PRIMEDIA's portfolio of automotive properties, which includes 57 magazines and reaches more than 67 million consumers. The programming for Motor Trend TV will consist of 80% original programming, broadcast 24-hours a day, seven days a week. It will include a range of popular Motor Trend subjects like road tests, first drives, and trends in the automotive industry. Other PRIMEDIA brands, along with Motor Trend's coverage of U.S. and international auto shows, will provide additional content for the network. "Motor Trend TV programming will focus on automotive consumers and the passion that these owners feel for their cars," said Findley. "The network will also target automotive enthusiasts who customize their cars and restore vintage automobiles."

The network programming schedule will include "Makeover Garage", "Dream Car", "Driving School", and "Road Trip". The network plans to air select theatrical movies as part of "Motor Trend Drive-In" and will acquire a library of syndicated automotive television programming. In addition to broadcast via multicast, the programming will be made available through video-on-demand (VOD) at the end of 2006. "The VOD platform, along with cross-promotion of digital cable by broadcast affiliates and unique programming, makes Motor Trend TV a win/win concept for cable MSOs as well as broadcasters," said Findley.

NEW AD REVENUE

Motor Trend TV will not only deliver quality content, but also supports new interactions with a group of consumers that spent $947 billion on auto-related purchases in 2004. Automotive manufacturers, after market accessories suppliers, and local automotive dealerships can take advantage of unique sponsorship and advertising opportunities designed to drive automotive commerce.

Multicasting Motor Trend TV creates new opportunities for local broadcasters to tap an industry that spent over $10 billion in advertising on network and cable TV. The network plans to allocate five minutes of local air time an hour to broadcasters so they may insert their own local advertising as well as share overnight product advertising revenue.

The launch of the network further builds on the legacy begun by Motor Trend magazine, a publication recognized as the world's number one automotive authority. Likewise, the deal adds to an established brand extension program that includes nationally syndicated Motor Trend Radio and an extensive line of Motor Trend-branded automotive care products and accessories available to consumers at specialty retailers nationwide.

About MOTOR TREND

MOTOR TREND, a PRIMEDIA publication, was founded in 1949 and has a circulation of 1.1 million and a total readership of 7.1 million. Internationally recognized as the world's number one automotive authority, MOTOR TREND is one of the leading brands in automotive publishing. The MOTOR TREND brand is comprised of MOTOR TREND Classic, motortrend.com; MOTOR TREND Television; MOTOR TREND Radio; Truck Trend; MOTOR TREND International Auto Shows; MOTOR TREND en Espanol; several international editions including China, Indonesia, Korea; and the renowned MOTOR TREND Car, Sport/Utility and Truck of the Year Awards program.

About PRIMEDIA

PRIMEDIA is the leading targeted media company in the United States. With 2005 revenue of $990 million, its properties comprise over 100 brands that connect buyers and sellers through print publications, Internet, events, merchandise and video programs in three market segments:

Enthusiast Media is the #1 special interest magazine publisher in the U.S. with more than 90 publications, 100 leading Web sites, 90 events, 11 TV programs, 600 branded products, and has such well-known brands as Motor Trend, Automobile, Automotive.com, Equine.com, In-Fisherman, Power & Motoryacht, Hot Rod, Snowboarder, Stereophile, Surfer, and Wavewatch.com. Consumer Guides is the #1 publisher and distributor of free consumer guides in the U.S. with Apartment Guide, Auto Guide and New Home Guide, distributing free consumer publications through its proprietary distribution network, DistribuTech, in more than 50,000 locations. The Group owns and operates leading Web sites including ApartmentGuide.com, AutoGuide.com, NewHomeGuide.com and RentClicks.com. Education includes Channel One, a proprietary network to secondary schools, Films Media Group, a leading source of educational video, and PRIMEDIA Healthcare, a continuing medical education business. About MNG

Founded by a highly regarded and experienced team of television and cable industry professionals, Multicast Networks Group was created to take advantage of the extraordinary, new opportunity arising from the conversion of analog to digital television broadcasting. Converting to digital allows broadcasters to offer HDTV and, at the same time, gives them the ability to broadcast several new channels, or in other words, multicast. MNG is the first-mover in bringing broadcasters additional content specifically tailored for the multicast environment. Motor Trend TV