LOS ANGELES, Calif., Oct. 28, 1999 (PRIMEZONE) -- J2 Communications/National Lampoon (Nasdaq:JTWO) today declared it believes it has a hit on its hands given the strong launch of its interactive online entertainment network, nationallampoon.com. The comedy network launched its original programming this week on the World Wide Web to opening numbers of more than a quarter of a million hits.
"The reaction to this new comedy network has been extraordinary," said J2/National Lampoon Chairman and CEO James P. Jimirro. "In the entertainment business, we call it a hit."
Once visitors click on to the network, they have been staying to explore the constantly-changing programming, which Newsweek magazine recently described as its "take-no-prisoners brand of humor." The average user session length is nearly 12 minutes, Jimirro said, making it one of cyberspace's "stickiest" destinations, especially among one of advertisers' most prized demographic segments, 18-34 year-old men.
"We've developed a network that appeals to viewers that are hungry for our special brand of satiric comedy. Unlike television, we offer our audience short, punchy interactive comedy that will leave them laughing for hours," said Jimirro, the founding President of The Disney Channel.
The Company said rave e-mail reviews have been pouring in to nationallampoon.com's corporate headquarters in Los Angeles:
-- "I haven't laughed this hard in years. I had to
take quite a few breaks while viewing your site so I
could catch my breath, and wipe the tears from my eyes."
-- "This site rules!"
-- "I have been on the site for three hours and laughed
my a** off."
Some of the most popular features include:
-- Fantasy Losers League - A biting parody of rotisserie
sports games where contestants pick pro players based
on their most egregious off-the-field misbehavior
(druggies, deadbeat dads, etc.)
-- Cyber Cops - An ongoing series that cuts between
full-motion-video and animation. Inspired by reality
television, the series follows mismatched buddy cops
who patrol smut peddlers, white collar crooks and other
undesirables on the Internet.
-- Apocalyptic Al - A websodic cartoon that follows the
tawdry decline of an average white-collar Joe who snaps
and decides to dabble in all things unhealthy and
unethical before Y2K brings about the end of
civilization.
Sales are beginning at the e-commerce site. "The response rate for visitors to our e-commerce store Smash & Grab is, so far, way above average," said Jimirro. In one promotion, random shoppers are rewarded by having their entire order given to them for free. In addition, J2/National Lampoon is selling advertising, and is receiving positive early interest. The humor web is also syndicating its content to other Internet sites.
About J2/National Lampoon
Based in Los Angeles, CA, J2 Communications, which owns National Lampoon, is an Internet-based entertainment company. The Company has created an interactive comedy network on its website, nationallampoon.com. The site contains hilarious new characters, stories and features as well as entertainment classics from the National Lampoon archives. The Company sells related merchandise and advertising space on the site to supplement its current revenue base of licensing agreements.
Certain of the above statements may be forward looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. In such instances, actual results could differ materially as a result of a variety of factors, including competitive developments, the ability to attract advertisers and generate e-commerce sales, and other risk factors listed from time to time in the company's SEC reports.