PRIMEDIA's Action Sports Group Launches WaveWatch -Surfer, Surfing an

    Business Editors

    SAN CLEMENTE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 19, 2005--PRIMEDIA Inc.'s (NYSE: PRM) Action Sports Group (ASG) today announced the launch of WaveWatch (www.wavewatch.com), a free, real-time, Web-based surf camera and surf condition forecasting network. The one-of-a-kind offering was initiated by ASG's prominent surf titles - Surfer, Surfing and SG. With a legacy of more than 40 years in the action sports market, these brands stand alone as the definitive voice for a growing surfing community. Collectively, they command the largest surf audience in the world reaching more than one million enthusiasts through a diverse platform of media assets including special interest publications, Web sites, live events, and now surf forecasting.
    Launching April 26, WaveWatch is the only free forecasting service available today with a state-of-the-art camera network that allows users to actually control the cams to navigate the waves. The 24/7 service also includes mapping tools, tide charts and localized surf and weather forecasts, as well as swell advisories sent through customized e-mail and cell phone alerts.
    "It is imperative that our brands continuously evolve with the sport," said Don Meek, president of PRIMEDIA's Action Sports Group. "We have spent the past year developing a packaged service that blends the most advanced technology with need-to-know information for die-hard surfers to deliver a product that keeps us at the cutting edge in the surf category. There is nothing more important to our audience than the pursuit of that perfect wave."

    Some of WaveWatch's innovative features include:

    Live Webcam Network - From famed surf spots such as Huntington Beach, Newport Beach, Oceanside, Swamis, Steamer Lane and Pipeline, 15 state-of-the-art WaveWatch digital cameras cover 75% of the U.S. surf traffic. From a global or regional perspective, users can interact with the cameras to control exact positioning and take advantage of the panoramic locator to determine where the waves are breaking best. Wind direction, speed and other surf variables are graphically integrated to provide the most accurate picture of surf conditions. Additionally, WaveWatch's Surveillance View feature allows users to view up to four camera feeds simultaneously so they can carefully select their surf destination.
    Expert Forecasting - Written forecasts provided by meteorologists from each region allow for superior accuracy and credibility to surf reports. Graphic forecasting tools leverage the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and other geographical weather systems to visually project conditions to the beach level of detail.
    Storm Watch Page - WaveWatch also charts storms and hurricanes for the Atlantic and Pacific regions. Its "Storm Watch" tracker gives users a view of current and past hurricane paths and the unique ability to overlay a swell map to help illustrate how the hurricane/storm is impacting swell movement.
    Personalized "Magnet" Technology - Exclusive to WaveWatch, this feature allows users to customize and consolidate up-to-the-minute information and keep WaveWatch's content streaming live on their desktop or on a personalized home page.
    E-mail & Wireless Alerts - Enabling anytime, anywhere access, WaveWatch has the capability to push out advisories straight to subscribers via cell phone and custom e-mail alerts.
    Additional resources available on WaveWatch are supported through online properties of Surfer, Surfing and SG and include a comprehensive library of surf travel related information as well as message boards and photo-sharing tools allowing the community to develop around areas of interest.
    WaveWatch presents a unique opportunity for advertisers to connect with a passionate and tech savvy audience that seeks new ways to immerse themselves in surf culture. Limiting advertising to four endemic and one non-endemic brand keeps the experience non-cluttered for users. Respected endemic brands Oakley and Rip Curl have signed on as charter partners and ASG expects to announce additional sponsors soon.
    "WaveWatch will definitely become an important tool for forecasting - free, high- resolution cams and a wide range of interactive features that play directly to surfers' passions," said Mike Makos, Rip Curl Marketing Director. "There's huge buzz potential for this offering among a very loyal audience. We think this is a great place to reinforce the Rip Curl brand."
    Leveraging natural synergies between the ASG's popular surf titles, WaveWatch will be launched as a standalone site at www.wavewatch.com and will be integrated into the highly-trafficked, magazine-branded Web sites, surfermag.com, surfingthemag.com and sgmag.com. The close tie-in between print and online offerings extends the world's largest network of surf-related information and encourages new and relevant interactions beyond the printed page.

    About PRIMEDIA'S Action Sports Group

    PRIMEDIA's Action Sports Group (ASG) is the dominant media force in the action and adventure sports arenas. The group publishes nine leading enthusiast publications including Bike, Canoe & Kayak, Climbing, Powder, SG, Skateboarder, Snowboarder, Surfer, and Surfing. PRIMEDIA's ASG reaches more than 5 million active sports enthusiasts through its integrated network of magazines, Web sites, events and branded products. Learn more online at: www.actionsportsgroup.net

    About PRIMEDIA

    PRIMEDIA (NYSE: PRM) is the leading targeted media company in the United States. With 2004 revenue of $1.3 billion, our properties comprise more than 200 brands that connect buyers and sellers in more markets than any other media company through our print publications, Web sites, events, newsletters and video programs in four business segments: Enthusiast Media, Consumer Guides, Business Information, and Education. PRIMEDIA Enthusiast Media includes more than 120 consumer magazines, with well-known brands such as Motor Trend, Automobile, Creating Keepsakes, In-Fisherman, Power & Motoryacht, Hot Rod, Snowboarder, Stereophile and Surfer. PRIMEDIA Consumer Guides is the #1 publisher and distributor of free consumer guides, with Apartment Guide, Auto Guide and New Home Guide. PRIMEDIA Business Information has more than 60 publications in 18 market sectors. PRIMEDIA Education includes Channel One and other educational products.

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CONTACT: Media Contacts: For PRIMEDIA: Sloane & Company, New York Josh Hochberg, 212-446-1892 jhochberg@sloanepr.com For ASG: SnL Communications Staci Levine, 310-996-0239 slevine@snlc.net

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS SPORTS SOURCE: PRIMEDIA Inc.

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