SAN FRANCISCO, Sep 27, 2004 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- CNET (Nasdaq:CNET)(www.cnet.com), the trusted resource for people interested in enhancing their life with personal technology, today announced a new home page and a range of streaming video-based how-to content features. Building on its comprehensive foundation of unbiased product reviews that help people make smart buying decisions, CNET is expanding its focus to help consumers unlock the potential of their new products and get the most out of personal technology.

Over the last five years, consumer electronics sales have surged, thanks to the mainstream appeal of evolving categories such as digital cameras, video game consoles, MP3 players, smart phones, DVD recorders, and HDTVs. In fact, sales of consumer electronics and technology products are expected to hit a record $108 billion in 2004, a significant 26 percent increase from 1999(1).

"Consumers clearly recognize the life-enhancing value of today's tech products, but the daunting prospect of choosing the right one, using it correctly, and enjoying its benefits creates a barrier to even more rapid adoption," said Candice Meyers, senior vice president of CNET. "Research shows that when buying tech products, consumers are most concerned about ease of use and their ability to seamlessly benefit - they are afraid of wasting their money on products that are too complex. It is CNET's job to help people break through, by showing them how to productively use the latest products, and integrate them with technologies they already own."

As always, the holiday season promises to be a major driver of consumer electronics sales, and as people receive new devices, they will need help and support. With its new how-to features, CNET rounds out its unbiased service to consumers, from pre-purchase guidance to post-purchase support. Several new how-to sections feature not only the guidance of CNET's expert editorial staff, but also the knowledge base of its core audience of early adopters. This audience contributes their own recommendations and perspective, helping consumers gain confidence from the opinions and experience of fellow buyers.

The new how-to features include:

-- Insider Secrets: Tips and tricks on how to maximize personal tech products, with complimentary video that shows experts doing things like synchronizing two iPods with one computer, or adding a custom soundtrack to a favorite video game

-- Weekend Project: A weekly tutorial that provides step-by-step, do-it-yourself directions and how-to video demonstrations for weekend projects like installing a home wireless network or making great home videos. An accompanying online forum enables editors to answer additional questions from users

-- Show us Yours: Leveraging the experience and creativity of its most tech-savvy audience members, this section showcases the technology choices they make and how they use technology in their homes, providing users additional ideas

-- Q+A: A searchable database of answers to CNET users' most common questions, such as, "How do I upload my digital pictures onto my computer?"

-- Worst Nightmares: A look at the worst headaches people encounter with personal technology and a range of solutions to avoid them in the future

-- CNET Online Classes: After a three-month beta period already 200,000 people have signed up for these free, online, instructor-led classes on topics like digital photography and HDTV

-- Holiday Features: From November 15 - December 17, for one hour each business day, CNET's Editor-at-large Brian Cooley will host a live video Web cast call-in show where users can get holiday tech buying recommendations. The hour will be spent focusing on hot topics like digital cameras, cell phones, laptops, or Wi-fi.

"I can foresee the day when CNET will make the need for dense product manuals a thing of the past," said Meyers. "Now, after consumers have purchased their new smart phone, they can turn to CNET to find great how-to videos that will ensure the investment doesn't end up on a shelf. Streaming video technology has come of age, and we're clearly ahead of the curve in capitalizing on the many ways it can raise the bar in content creation."

The how-to video library builds on CNET's "First Look from the Labs" videos series, in which editors showcase the "look and feel" aspects of products that are hard to describe in written reviews, saving viewers a trip to the store. Already, hundreds of product reviews and how-to videos are featured on CNET, and the collection will continue to grow, with more than 100 new videos added each month.

About CNET (www.cnet.com)

CNET, a property of CNET Networks, Inc., is dedicated to helping people buy and use personal technology to enhance and enrich their lives. CNET's award winning editorial staff reviews thousands of products each year, providing expert and unbiased advice on what products to buy. The site also offers help and how-to features enhanced with video content that visually shows consumers how to get the most out of technology once they own it. And, with an extensive directory of more than 200,000 products and price comparisons, CNET also gives consumers the most up-to-date and efficient shopping resource on the Web.

About CNET Networks, Inc.

CNET Networks, Inc. (www.cnetnetworks.com) is a premier global interactive content company that informs, entertains, and connects large, engaged audiences around topics of high information need or personal passion. The company focuses on three categories -- personal technology, games and entertainment, and business technology - and includes such leading brands as CNET, ZDNet, TechRepublic, MP3.com, GameSpot, CNET Download.com, CNET News.com, Webshots, Computer Shopper magazine, and CNET Channel. With a strong presence in the US, Asia and Europe, CNET Networks has operations in 12 countries.

(1) Manufacturer-to-dealer sales of consumer electronics products according to CEA Market Research Reports, June and January, 2004.

SOURCE: CNET Networks, Inc.

CNET Networks
Sarah Winterhalder, 415-344-2218 (Media)
sarah.winterhalder@cnet.com
Cammeron McLaughlin, 415-344-2844 (Investor Relations)
cammeron.mclaughlin@cnet.com