New Line Home Entertainment and AOL Movies' ``The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring'' Extended Edition Sweepstakes a Hit with Hobbit Fans!

Business Wire, Nov 15, 2002

Entertainment Editors

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 15, 2002

Grand Prize Winner of Trip to New Zealand Will be Announced Today;

More Than 140K Entries in Single Month for New Zealand Prize Package

and Texas Instruments-Sponsored Digital Screenings in 10 Markets

More than 140K movie fans entered "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" Extended Edition Sweepstakes that launched on Thursday, October 17th. The grand prize winner -- to be awarded a trip to majestic New Zealand, where "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy was filmed, including airfare and accommodations -- will be chosen and notified today. Since the sweepstakes began, entrants had the chance to win passes to a special screening of the extended version of the movie and a variety of official "Lord of the Rings" merchandise, including DVDs, companion books, and more, with prizes being awarded daily.

On November 5th in ten major markets -- Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York, Orlando, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington D.C -- thousands of sweepstakes winners were treated to an unprecedented opportunity to experience "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" Special Extended Edition digitally projected in movie theaters courtesy of New Line Home Entertainment and AOL Movies. This was the only time consumers could ever see this extended version of this film on the big screen.

Texas Instruments, through its DLP Cinema(TM) division, was the official sponsor of these special screenings, held in specially equipped theaters. These screenings marked the only opportunity moviegoers had to view this version of the Academy Award(R)-winning worldwide phenomenon -- which features approximately thirty minutes of never-before-seen "Fellowship" footage thoroughly integrated into the theatrically released version of the film -- digitally projected in theaters. The response proved remarkable, with fans posting raves about the screenings on www.lordoftherings.net and other fan websites. ("The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring" Special Extended Edition is now available on DVD and VHS.)

"From the very beginning of this enormous artistic undertaking, `The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring' has received an incredible outpouring of love and support from fans in the online community," says New Line Home Entertainment President and Chief Operating Officer Stephen Einhorn. "The overwhelming response to this sweepstakes is a testament to that ongoing loyalty and enthusiasm for this most special of film franchises."

About New Line Home Entertainment

New Line Home Entertainment distributes all of New Line Cinema and Fine Line Features theatrical films on VHS and DVD, including the new premium DVD brand infinifilm(TM). The company also distributes feature films and non-theatrical programs acquired or produced by New Line Home Entertainment and New Line Television. New Line Cinema is the leading independent producer and distributor of theatrical films. New Line also licenses its films to ancillary markets including cable and broadcast television as well as in all international markets.

For more information about "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," visit www.lordoftherings.net. To download "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" press releases and photos, visit New Line's website at www.moviepublicity.com.