Geraldine Laybourne, Oxygen Media's Chairman and CEO, has announced thatOxygen Media has signed a carriage agreement with MediaOne, a domesticcable operator, to distribute Oxygen's cable network. The new Oxygennetwork, which is scheduled to launch on 02/02/2000, will be integratedwith Oxygen's existing online properties to create a "home base" for womenon cable and the Internet. Oxygen's carriage agreement with MediaOne willdeliver Oxygen to over 1 million subscribers at launch. Under the terms ofthe agreement, MediaOne will guarantee distribution of Oxygen to itssubscribers primarily as an analog channel on a basic or expanded basictier. MediaOne is a broadband services company, providing more than 5million subscribers in 17 states with basic and premium cable televisionservices; last month, AT&T agreed to acquire MediaOne. MediaOne was born in1996 when MediaOne Group (formerly U S WEST Media Group) united withentertainment provider Continental Cablevision. Oxygen was founded in 1998to create a media brand that serves women by combining the best qualitiesof the Internet and television. Since its inception, Oxygen has acquiredand developed several online sites, entered into a multi-year anchortenancy, programming and promotional partnership with America Online, andis partnering with Marcy Carsey, Tom Werner, Caryn Mandabach and OprahWinfrey to develop and launch a new cable network. Programmed by theprincipals of Carsey-Werner-Mandabach, the Oxygen cable network will launchon 02/02/2000 and be integrated with Oxygen's successful and growingnetwork of online sites. These sites include Oxygen.com (the Oxygen homepage and network hub); Thrive, the healthy living site; Moms Online, aparenting site on AOL; Electra, a full service site; ka-Ching, resources tohelp women better manage their financial lives; and thelab, Oxygen'shigh-octane streaming media site. Oprah Online will join Oxygen's stable ofonline properties in August 1999.
