SAN FRANCISCO – CNET Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: CNET), the leading content
network providing news and information to buyers and sellers around the
world, today announced that ICQ (“I Seek You”) has surpassed the
100,000,000 downloaded mark on CNET’s Download.com site. The global
popularity of ICQ has now made it the #1 downloaded product ever on
Download.com.
ICQ www.icq.com is the world’s largest online communications
community and biggest international service with more than 65 million
registered users. Since its initial posting on CNET’s site in 1996, the
software product has consistently been ranked among the top five in
Download.com’s “Most Popular For PC” list and now breaks all past records.
“The number of downloads ICQ is experiencing on CNET’s Download.com is truly
phenomenal,” said Jim Stanley, product manager, Download.com. “Download.com
is one of the most powerful catalysts for creating new software markets,
giving software products increased exposure, and an installed user base.”
“The worldwide growth of ICQ has been tremendous, and a good barometer of
its success is the number of potential new users showing interest and
learning about ICQ through top news and information sites like CNET,” said
ICQ founders, Arik Vardi, Sefi Vigiser and Yair Goldfinger. “ICQ has become
an integral part of millions of users’ daily lives and we’re pleased that
CNET’s
Download.com delivers ICQ, the undisputed leader in the online communication
field, to people worldwide.”
CNET Download.com compiles the Internet’s top free-to-download software
titles, and is comprised of more than 30,000 freeware, shareware, and demo
titles. The site allows users to find and
download popular and emerging software applications and technologies for
free. More than 500,000 people visit the site daily and download over one
million files including utilities, games, and browsers and browser plug-ins
that enable audio and video on the Internet. The site also features product
highlights, descriptions, and user opinions to help users understand the use
and benefit of each software title. Download.com’s “Most Popular” list
counts down the most frequently downloaded titles and in turn serves as a
leading indicator of future software trends.
Created in 1996 by the Israel-based company, Mirabilis, and acquired by
America Online, Inc. in June 1998, ICQ is the world’s largest communications
community with more than 65 million registrants worldwide. The ICQ service
is a communications portal built around the ability to seek and communicate
with your friends, family and colleagues online. ICQ, whose unique and free
software is available for download at www.icq.com, is part of the AOL
Interactive Properties Group.
CNET Networks, Inc. is the leading content network providing news and
information to buyers and sellers around the world. CNET Networks is a
platform for two Internet brands, a computer product database, and
television
and radio programming for both consumers and businesses. CNET, www.cnet.com,
is the world’s most trusted source of information on computers, the Internet
and technology, serving millions of users each day. CNET’s Web content has
been localized for eight Asia Pacific markets: Hong Kong, Singapore,
Malaysia, Japan, Korea, China, Taiwan and Australia. CNET Data Services
licenses its multi-lingual product database to U.S. and European online
computer retailers, resellers and e-commerce companies.
CNET’s award-winning television and radio programs are broadcast in 100
countries worldwide, as
well as on CNBC and other national distribution in the U.S. In February
2000,
CNET acquired mySimon, www.mysimon.com, the Internet’s largest comparison
shopping service, with more than 200 categories and over 2000 merchants.
CNET
currently has investments in cash and marketable securities valued at more
than a half-billion dollars.
