FRE Freeplay

RNS Number:4333M
e-district.net PLC
19 June 2000

                  E-DISTRICT.NET PLC

CONTENT SUPPLY AGREEMENT SIGNED WITH FREESERVE FOR BROADBAND
                       PORTAL


e-district.net plc ('e-district'), the AIM-quoted owner and
developer of LeisureDistrict.net, a leading interactive family
entertainment community channel and content provider for
interactive digital television, has signed an agreement with
Freeserve plc ('Freeserve') to participate in the Freeserve
broadband web portal trial.

e-district will supply specially formatted leisure-related
content for the duration of the trial of Freeserve's broadband
portal which can be accessed using BT's ADSL platform.  ADSL
is becoming increasingly available in London and other major
conurbations, and offers Internet service at speeds that are
ten times faster than today and permanent connection without
the need to dial up.

Participation in the broadband portal trial will provide e-
district with valuable experience of this new medium and, in
particular, will enable e-district to compare results with
those gained from the interactive digital TV platforms being
delivered by  cable.

During the trial, Freeserve is providing a hypertext link to
LeisureDistrict's home page and e-district's content will not
be substantially duplicated by other content providers
elsewhere within the trial portal.

Research will be a key element for all those participating in
this broadband trial.  Participants should be able to obtain
operating and experience statistics which include the average
times spent by site visitors on pages within the broadband
site.  e-district will also obtain important information
relating to the effectiveness of new advertising technologies
which are to be tested including superstitial and interstitial
advertisements.

Both e-district and Freeserve have the right to test e-
commerce technology on the service but will waive any
entitlement to a share of revenues for the trial period. This
will be reviewed if the agreement is extended beyond the
trial.

This is the third significant content supply agreement signed
by e-district in recent weeks.  e-district's leisure content
is being made available in the UK through the two leading
providers of digital cable services : Telewest Communications
plc (announced on 5 June 2000) and Cable & Wireless
Communications plc (announced on 30 March 2000).  In the US, a
large number of US digital cable operators make
LeisureDistrict available through a distribution agreement
with Worldgate Communications Inc. announced earlier this
year.

LeisureDistrict features include Games, Library, PetZone,
Chat, Greeting Cards, Virtual Flowers, Private Messaging and
Pal Pilot (buddies).


Steve Laitman, e-district's Chief Executive said :

'We are thrilled to be an integral part of this landmark UK
trial for delivering broadband services through the Freeserve
broadband ADSL portal. ADSL broadband is expected to bring
internet content and associated interactive advertisements to
75 per cent of the UK within two to three years.  This trial
marks a convergence of technologies which we expect to
contribute towards a rapid growth in demand for broadband
internet-related services delivered across technology
platforms bringing together ADSL, digital cable and
interactive TV sets.'

John Pluthero, Chief Executive Officer of Freeserve,
commented:

'Freeserve is the portal destination of choice in narrowband
with over 3 million unique users, and we fully expect to
replicate our market-leading position in broadband. e-district
joins over 20 rich media partners, including Virgin Music,
ITN, peoplesound.com and @jakarta, who have all been
experiencing with the Freeserve broadband ADSL trial excellent
results from providing innovative new content and e-commerce
via high-speed, 'always on' Internet.'

About e-district

e-district is quoted on the Alternative Investment Market. e-
district is the owner and developer of the LeisureDistrict
global interactive entertainment network, a family leisure
environment capable of being delivered through multiple
platforms including the internet and  interactive TV.

LeisureDistrict continues to attract significant numbers of
new registered users.  The annualised compound rate of growth
in the first quarter of 2000 was 99% to 1.8 million as at 31
March 2000 with 60% in North America, 28% in the UK and the
balance of 12% in continental Europe and around the world.

In addition to the distribution agreements with Telewest
Communications plc, Cable & Wireless Communications plc and
Worldgate Communications Inc., e-district has arrangements
with a number of other strategic partners including WH Smiths
Online, Expedia Inc. and Remarq Inc.

LeisureDistrict is accessible via PC through
www.LeisureDistrict.net. More information on e-district.net
plc is available through the company's web site ( www.e-
district.net).

About freeserve

Freeserve is the UK's leading portal with an integrated
offering of UK-focused content, e-commerce and services and
free Internet access. At 12 March 2000, Freeserve had 1.912
million active registered accounts and in February 2000
recorded 162 million page impressions.

Freeserve was launched in September 1998 as part of Dixons,
Europe's leading consumer electronics retailer. Freeserve
distributes its access software through Dixons' network of
over 1,000 Dixons, Currys, PC World, The Link and @jakarta
stores.

For further information, please contact :

e-district      
Frank Lewis, Chairman
Steve Laitman, Chief Executive              020 8201 1915


Freeserve            
Shane Stratmore                             01442 353300

Buchanan Communications
Steve Liebmann / Suzanne Dunne              020 7466 5000


END
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