Blockbuster Entertainment and Lycos launch entertainment Internet navigational site.

MARLBORO, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 8, 1996--Lycos Inc., (NASDAQ: LCOS) and Blockbuster Entertainment Group, a unit of Viacom Inc., today announced a new Internet navigational site to bring entertainment news and information to online users worldwide.

The new site, located at http://www.blockbuster.com/passport is being introduced at over 3,200 neighborhood Blockbuster video and music stores nationwide today through the distribution of 1.5 million Sprint Internet Passport(sm) -Blockbuster Edition CD-ROMs. The CD-ROMs, free with a rental or purchase at the Blockbuster store, contain customized, entertainment-oriented Internet access software that provides direct access to the new site and a link through to Blockbuster's home page (http://www.blockbuster.com).

Powered by Lycos technology and content, the new site will provide online users with the latest news about the stars, entertainment events and productsupdated daily. Blockbuster and Lycos have teamed to construct a highly customized site that offers maximum utility and information based on Lycos' expertise with online search and navigation. The agreement is another in a series of high profile, brand building strategy moves by Blockbuster and Lycos.

"The Web site, and the Lycos content and technology behind it, are strong enhancements to Blockbuster's rapidly growing portfolio of family entertainment experiences, and strengthens our position as the leading neighborhood provider of entertainment products and services," said Tom Byrne, Blockbuster's vice chairman. "We chose to work with the Lycos in the development of this site because of their diverse array of technologies."

Once at the Blockbuster site, users can learn about the latest in entertainment news and sample music and videos. Visitors to the site can access reviews of top Web sites, as well as speedy searching for pictures and sound files available on the Internet, all made possible through Lycos' proprietary content and technology. And those seeking to locate the nearest Blockbuster video or music store can do so using the store locator. Separate functions that enhance the site's offerings include electronic white pages for the entire United States and complete guides to 400 cities and towns across the country, both provided by Lycos. Other useful tools on the site include a custom map creation function for user destinations, the ability to download free software and a listing of online stores where users may shop.

"With its emphasis on graphical interfaces, pictures, sounds and interactivity, the Web is an entertainment as well as an information medium," added Bob Davis, president and CEO of Lycos. "Blockbuster, with its fifty million customers, is an ideal partner to deliver that value, both to consumers already online and those new to the Internet. We expect the site will become a popular destination for entertainment information and Lycos is pleased to provide the technology to help make it happen."

The agreement is a reflection of Lycos' two-pronged business strategy to pursue advertising revenue while aggressively initiating licensing partnerships that seed the market with Lycos content and technology through powerhouse brands.

Later this month, Blockbuster users will be able to visit Blockbuster's music store, hear music samples and buy music online. In the coming months, Blockbuster will add additional features to its Web page, such as real-time chat, online games and the online sale of videos, books, and games.

Blockbuster has also entered into a relationship with Starwave, a leading producer and publisher of online content, owned by Microsoft cofounder Paul Allen. Starwave will provide Blockbuster with links to entertainment news information from its Mr. Showbiz site. The popular Mr. Showbiz reveals the entertaining side of the entertainment world, offering interactive games and in-depth information on Hollywood celebrities. The Entertainment News service is available on the Blockbuster Web site at http://www.blockbuster.com/passport.

Lycos Inc., an Internet exploration company, was founded specifically to find, index and filter information on the Internet and World Wide Web. Lycos can be found at http://www.lycos.com. CMG Information Services Inc. (NASDAQ: CMGI) is a majority shareholder in Lycos Inc. through its strategic investment and business development unit, CMG@Ventures. CMGI is a leading provider of direct marketing services investing in and integrating advanced Internet, interactive media and database management technologies.

Blockbuster (http://www.blockbuster.com) is a global entertainment retailer with over 5,000 video and music stores in all 50 states and 24 foreign countries. It is a unit of Viacom Inc., which is one of the world's largest entertainment and publishing companies and a leading force in nearly every segment of the international media marketplace.

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The Lycos "Catalog of the Internet" Copyright 1994, 1995, 1996 Carnegie Mellon University. All rights reserved.

Lycos is a trademark of Carnegie Mellon University.

All other product or service marks mentioned herein are those of respective owners.

CONTACT: Lycos Inc.

Sarah Garnsey, 508/303-3205 ext. 228

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Mullen PR

Len Cercone or Erin Flynn, 508/468-1155

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Blockbuster Entertainment Group

Richard Cutting, 954/832-3823