Oxygen Media and AOL Expand Strategic Alliance

Posted on April 4, 2001

AOL Time Warner and Oxygen Media, a media company serving women through its cable network and Internet business, announced that they will expand their existing online strategic alliance and include cable distribution of Oxygen TV to the vast majority of Time Warner Cable households. America Online also will make an equity investment in Oxygen.

The multi-year agreement will make Oxygen TV's programming, which includes shows such as X-Chromosome, Pure Oxygen and Exhale with Candice Bergen, available to 10 million Time Warner Cable subscribers by the third quarter of 2002. In addition, the distribution of Oxygen's women-focused content -- from Oxygen.com, Thrive Online, Oprah.com and Trackers.net -- will be significantly increased across America Online's family of interactive brands. Oxygen's Web brands are currently featured on the some of the content channels across the America Online service, Netscape.com, ICQ, AOL.com and CompuServe.com. This agreement builds on the relationship that began in 1998, when America Online became one of Oxygen's first investors.

Bob Pittman, Co-COO of AOL Time Warner said, ``Oxygen has been an important partner to America Online for several years, offering engaging and innovative content to millions of women. We're delighted to expand this partnership to increase their presence across America Online's family of interactive brands and to feature for the first time, Oxygen TV on Time Warner Cable. With this agreement, millions more women will have increased access to Oxygen's programming, information, advice and community.''

Geraldine Laybourne, Oxygen's Chairman and CEO said, ``America Online was an early and staunch champion of Oxygen. Now, AOL Time Warner's continued support allows us to reach the significant milestone of over 40 million committed cable subscribers and to significantly broaden and deepen our relationship with millions of American women online. We're thrilled to be among AOL Time Warner's strategic partners.''