Reel.com Inks Deal With Chicago Sun-Times; Strategic Partnership Provides Internet Links of Roger Ebert Column & Online Video and DVD Store

Business Wire, August 26, 1998

EMERYVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 26, 1998--Reel.com, Inc., (http://www.reel.com), the leading online movie store, today announced a partnership with the Chicago Sun-Times Online (http://www.suntimes.com) that gives Reel.com strategic placement within the Sun-Times Web site.

The Sun-Times will link from Roger Ebert's movie reviews to Reel.com's online store, providing a hassle-free portal for visitors to purchase films and also access Reel's comprehensive services.

Reel.com is changing the way film lovers buy movies by offering access to over 85,000 movie titles, exclusive movie information, and knowledgeable recommendations that help customers discover new movies they'll enjoy.

"Partnering with Reel.com provides our visitors with the perfect marriage of content and accessibility," stated Fred Lebolt, director of online publications for the Chicago Sun-Times. "By providing a quick and easy link from our Roger Ebert movie reviews to the Reel.com site, our viewers gain access to the most comprehensive collection of videos, DVDs, and laserdiscs available anywhere on the Internet."

The Sun-Times Online features a section devoted to columnist Roger Ebert called "Ebert on Movies" (http://www.suntimes.com/ebert/ebert.html). This area contains Ebert's recent film reviews along with a catalog of his column dating back to 1985.

It also offers Ebert's bite-size "One-Minute" movie reviews, "Interviews and Essays," a listing of his all-time "Great Movies" and even a Q&A area where visitors can pose questions about all things cinematic. Reel.com is accessible from all of these areas, putting the ability to easily grow movie collections right at visitors' fingertips.

"Roger Ebert is one of the most recognized and trusted film critics in the U.S. today," stated Harry Bernstein, vice president of business development for Reel.com. "We are thrilled to be providing his readership with instant online access to our comprehensive collection of movies and exclusive database of film information."

Reel.com presents customers with a multifaceted shopping experience that offers much more than just great prices. Leveraging the vast knowledge and passion of its 40 writers, the company provides integrated services that allow the consumer to explore lists of best sellers, rare videos, as well as new video releases and current events such as Oscar nominees or the AFI "100 Best Movies."

Reel.com's content is hyperlinked, searchable, and browseable to facilitate exploration of the company's film library while also providing an invaluable online movie reference tool.

About the Chicago Sun Times Online

One of the 10 largest daily newspapers in the United States, the Chicago Sun-Times (www.suntimes.com) has won eight Pulitzer Prizes and is home to such renowned journalists as political commentator Robert Novak, film critic Roger Ebert and sportswriters Jay Mariotti and Rick Telander.

The Sun-Times Online, launched in October, 1995, was recipient of the prestigious John C. Dvorak Award as Outstanding Online Newspaper of 1996.

About Reel.com, Inc.

Based in Emeryville, Calif., Reel.com (www.reel.com) is the leading Web-based movie store offering 85,000 VHS titles for sale, over 1,500 DVD titles for sale, and 35,000 video titles for rent. Reel.com also features proprietary editorial content to help customers select movies.

The staff of writers for the site includes film school graduates, video store veterans, screen writers, and scores of other film experts. Reel.com's current Internet partners include @Home Network, Celebsite, E! Online, Film.com, Mr. Showbiz, Turner Home Entertainment, TV Guide Entertainment, WebTV Networks, and Yahoo!.

Reel.com also operates a physical store in Berkeley, Calif., which offers a selection of 35,000 videos for rent. Hollywood Entertainment, Corp. (NASDAQ:HLYW) recently announced an agreement to acquire Reel.com.

CONTACT: Reel.com

Pamela Coddington, 510/549-3333, ext. 221

pamelac@reel.com