FNET Future

RNS Number:2120C
Future Network PLC
23 August 2004



23rd August 2004

                             The Future Network plc


                      Acquisition of PC Zone and CVG titles


The Future Network plc ('Future'), the international special-interest consumer
magazine group, today announces that it has acquired the title and goodwill of
two UK magazines from the Dennis Publishing group for a consideration of #2.5m
in cash.

Future has acquired two games titles, PC Zone and Computer & Video Games,
together with the related website, computerandvideogames.com.

Turnover for the year ended 31 December 2003 amounted to #4.0m and the estimated
profit attributable to the assets being acquired was #0.5m. The business has 21
staff and is being acquired free of financial debt.

PC Zone is the UK's longest-running PC games title, having been launched in
1993. It sold a monthly average of 41,073 copies during the six months to 30
June 2004 (source: ABC). In this period, Computer & Video Games sold a monthly
average of 19,162 copies, which was a 40% year-on-year reduction in circulation.
For this reason, Future anticipates suspending this publication in its current
form.

Future anticipates that the acquisition will enhance 2005 adjusted earnings per
share and Future also expects to achieve in 2005 a post-tax return on this
investment in excess of its weighted average cost of capital.

Commenting on the acquisition Greg Ingham, Chief Executive of The Future Network
plc said:

"This acquisition is a useful addition to our portfolio of titles in the games
area, and the well-respected computerandvideogames.com site adds to our existing
successful online presence."

Enquiries:


The Future Network plc
Greg Ingham, Chief Executive Tel: 01225 442244
John Bowman, Finance Director Tel: 01225 732281


Hogarth Partnership
James Longfield/Georgina Briscoe Tel: 020 7357 9477



Notes to editors

About The Future Network plc

The Future Network was founded in the UK in 1985. Today, it publishes over 90
special-interest consumer magazines worldwide, is the world's leading publisher
of games magazines and is the fifth largest magazine publisher in the UK.

Future employs over 1,000 people in offices in the UK, US, Italy and France.
Around 100 international editions of Future's magazines are also published in 31
other countries across the world. The company is listed on the London Stock
Exchange (symbol FNET).

Approximately half of Future's turnover arises in the UK. According to the
Company's Annual Report for 2003, 33% of the UK business relates to games
titles.




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

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