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Go Network Year in Review

Go Network Year In Review

Disney's GO Network (http://www.go.com) is completing a notable year -- the year it debuted, became a top five Internet site, and became the portal component of GO.com, which was formed in a merger between Infoseek Corporation and The Walt Disney Company's online unit, Buena Vista Internet Group.

"1999 was an exceptional year for GO Network. From its unveiling in January to Infoseek's fiscal year end in October, there's no doubt GO Network found acceptance this year with Internet users and with advertisers," said Kevin Mayer, executive vice president of GO Network. "While we can reflect on the year with a great sense of satisfaction, we are poised for even greater success in the new year."

Traffic and Revenues

  • Infoseek Corporation, which introduced and operated GO Network until Infoseek's acquisition by The Walt Disney Company in November, reported record revenues for Fiscal Year 1999, more than doubling revenues year-over-year to $137.2 million.
  • In its first year of existence, GO Network has maintained a top five ranking among Internet sites, with a 34% reach (Media Metrix, November), and has more than 17 million registered users.

1999 Milestones

  • GO Shopping Traffic Doubles month-over-month during the holiday buying season. (December 27)
  • The Walt Disney Company acquires Infoseek, forming GO.com, a new Internet business with an additional class of Disney common stock (NYSE:GO). GO Network continues as a part of GO.com. (November 17)
  • GO Education Center launches with comprehensive resources and tools to help students and teachers get more out of their education experience. (November 15)
  • The GO Network Holiday Gift Guide on GO Shopping is introduced and ultimately boosts traffic amidst a successful holiday shopping flurry. (November 3)
  • GO Network launches GO Network Auction supported by a marketing and promotions campaign, including the opportunity to bid on unique collectibles, such as Mark McGwire's bat, a signed Michael Jordan basketball, Stairway to Heaven sheet music signed by Led Zeppelin, and more. (October 6)
  • GO Award Points launches with the new GO Network Mastercard, giving GO Network users the chance to earn points for shopping on the Internet. (October 5)
  • GO Network Broadcast Center () offers one-stop streaming media from GO Network sites, including ABC Radio sites, movie trailers, and the best in downloadable music in both the MP3 and Liquid Audio file formats. (October 4)
  • GO Network launches Food and Drink Center with thousands of recipes and restaurant reviews with CookExpress and GourmetMarket. (August 31)
  • GO Network's Astrology Zone has record breaking growth in the number of visitors to the Astrology Zone (www.astrologyzone.go.com ), accessible through the GO Network News Center. The live online chat session with Susan Miller, author, columnist, and creator of the Astrology Zone, sky rocketed with over 1,000 astrology fans in attendance - a 100 percent increase over the previous month. (July 15)
  • GO Network partners with Bell Atlantic in first agreement to pair a major Internet portal with the large sales force of a leading shopping media company to provide a fully integrated shopping solution, including shopping directory links, Internet marketing resources and unprecedented distribution. (July 8)
  • Infoseek expands Japan operations by acquiring Digital Garage. Top three Internet site, Infoseek Japan, accelerates product introductions. (June 28)
  • GO Network Express Search launches, allowing Internet users to access powerful search capabilities anytime, from anywhere on the Web. (June 21)
  • First redesign of the new GO Network home page gives users a 30 percent faster load and extensive personalization. (May 24)
  • The GO Network search index grows by 50 percent and gives users 30 percent faster access to results. (May 13)
  • GO Network appears for the first time in handheld devices via the AvantGo.com Interactive Service. Now users on the go can access key content from GO Network's home page, ABCNews.com and ESPN.com. (May 10)
  • $57 million cross-network partnership with DrKoop.com gives GO Network users access to the best medical and health information on the Internet. (April 13)
  • MBNA and Infoseek close a deal for $100 million that includes affinity credit cards and online financial services. (March 17)
  • GO Games launches with a wide range of multiplayer, online games, and arcade style games linked to a daily sweepstakes for cash and prizes. Partners include GO Total Entertainment Network (TEN), Mplayer.com(TM), PrizePoint(TM) Entertainment, ESPN, Disney and Headbone. (March 8)
  • GO Shop gives consumers their first opportunity to shop "in context". Users can click the Shopping tab from anywhere on the GO Network site and have quick access to items that relate to their other activities on the site. A sports fan can look up scores and then shop for team paraphernalia. (February 24)
  • GO Network launches as a top-five Internet site with more than 8 million registered users. (January 12)

About GO.com
GO Network is part of GO.com, which was formed in a merger between Infoseek Corporation and The Walt Disney Company's online unit, Buena Vista Internet Group (BVIG). GO.com oversees many of the Web's most popular sites and services, including the GO Network portal, ABC.com, ABCNEWS.com, Disney.com, Disneystore.com, ESPN.com, ABCSports.com, NFL.com, NBA.com, NASCAR Online, Family.com and Mr. Showbiz.

-- Posted December 30, 1999