Consumer Reports Online Celebrates Its First Birthday With Help From Its 180,000 Paid Subscribers.

YONKERS, NY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 2, 1998--

The success of www.ConsumerReports.org indicates that Web surfers 

are willing to pay for reliable information.

An average of 5,700 new paid subscribers join each week.

Celebrating its first birthday, Consumer Reports Online - the Web site from Consumer Reports magazine (www.ConsumerReports.org) -- has signed more than 180,000 paid subscribers. One of the most successful for-pay sites on the Internet, subscriptions have grown steadily, and continue to do so, since the site launched in November, 1997. Currently, an average of 5,700 new paid subscribers join each week.

"After only one year of publication, www.ConsumerReports.org is the number one consumer site on the Internet," says Nancy Macagno, Director of New Media at Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports magazine. "Consumer Reports Online has captured the attention of real people in their real lives. Web users are willing to subscribe to our site -- with no ads, no fads -- for the unbiased, reliable information they need."

There are two types of subscriptions: a $24 annual subscription (current subscribers to Consumer Reports magazine can join for $19 a year); or, a monthly subscription for $2.95. About 64% of current subscriptions are annual and the rest are monthly.

"We have a long tradition of understanding and responding to consumer needs that began with Consumer Reports magazine 62 years ago and has now expanded to the Web," Macagno adds. "We simplify the vastly complex marketplace for the consumer, so it is not surprising that our Web site has found a receptive audience. Consumer Reports Online continues to improve and expand as we add unique content."

Designed to serve the interests of consumers, the site offers two levels of usage: All visitors can get solid consumer advice for free; paid site subscribers can receive unique product and service ratings and recommendations. For example, all visitors to www.ConsumerReports.org have access, at no cost, to timely, helpful advice on how to buy products and services; safety alerts; product recalls; a manufacturer locator; and links to consumer agencies. Subscribers receive unlimited access to the latest issue of Consumer Reports magazine; 36 months of past reports, including detailed ratings and recommendations of products and services; and exclusive product-reliability reports, based on extensive surveys - as well as other subscription benefits.

Among the special features that make www.ConsumerReports.org so helpful to consumers are:

-- Consumer Reports online message boards (paid area) - are a

destination where subscribers can exchange questions and comments

with each other. And on a scheduled basis, Consumer Reports

experts in various fields, from automobiles to finance for

example, participate in online message boards. CR experts have

dropped in to discuss cars, cell phones, car leasing, hair dyes,

and financing college. In the future, the message boards will

feature lively dialogues on home computers, child safety seats,

and SUVs.

-- Interactive worksheets (free area) -- help consumers choose the

best products and services for their individual needs. Among the

topics covered: air conditioners; life insurance; cell phone and

cell phone service; drug coverage within Medicare HMOs; and a

stress test.

-- Special information hubs (free area) - are one-stop areas that

provide seasonal information, so consumers don't have to waste

time looking around the whole Internet for good advice on

products and services. Recently, site visitors could find

everything they needed to know about back-to-school, and

currently, there is a complete guide for the holidays and holiday

shopping at www.ConsumerReports.org/news/holiday/.

-- Archives of Consumer Reports magazine (paid area) - that have

recently been expanded from 24 to 36 months of back reports

-- Upcoming virtual tour of Consumer Reports' testing laboratories

(free area) - the first and largest independent consumer

testing organization in the world will now enable site visitors

to step behind the scenes and see photos of the scientists and

engineers at work in their labs (available November 9).

"Our subscriptions have grown steadily since we started the site last November, and we expect to reach 200,000 paid subscribers by the end of this year," says Macagno. "Consumer Reports Online is a pioneer in the online paid subscription arena. But no matter where technology takes us, Consumer Reports Online will be there, helping consumers select products and services."

The material above is intended for use by legitimate news entities only; it may not be used for commercial or promotional purposes. Consumer Reports Online (www.ConsumerReports.org) is the Web site of Consumers Union, an independent, nonprofit testing and information-gathering organization, serving only the consumer. We are a comprehensive source of unbiased advice about products and services, personal finance, health, nutrition, and other consumer concerns. Since 1936, our mission has been to test products, inform the public, and protect consumers.