PlanetOut to Launch PlanetOut Video

PlanetOut to Launch PlanetOut Video

New Broadband Entertainment Service Targeting Gay Audience Will Debut in September With Exclusive Online Premiere of the First Episode of Sundance Channel Series

SAN FRANCISCO, July 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- PlanetOut Inc. (NASDAQ:LGBT) today announced plans for the launch of PlanetOut Video, a broadband entertainment service designed to engage online audiences with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) multi-media programming aggregated from TV networks, movie studios, independent film producers and individual artists. The service will be available on Gay.com and PlanetOut.com, Web sites with a combined monthly reach of more than five million unique visitors.

PlanetOut Video will feature video clips and behind-the-scenes footage from original programs, syndicated programs and films. Sundance Channel will be an initial programming partner, part of a larger marketing relationship with the channel in support of the launch of their new original series "TransGeneration." Award-winning short films from the "PlanetOut Short Movie Awards" will also be featured on PlanetOut Video. With editorial programming tailored to entertain a diverse gay and lesbian audience, the service is expected to drive community interaction and foster a deeper interest in a wide selection of video content. For example, discussion boards will provide a way for members to participate and share their comments about videos shown on PlanetOut Video, while the Gay TV Guide will allow viewers to search for LGBT shows available on cable and network television.

"We believe that PlanetOut Video will allow us to establish relationships with a wider range of advertisers, such as movie studios, TV networks, and Fortune 500 advertisers wanting to engage the gay market through video and thirty-second ad spots," said Mark Elderkin, president of PlanetOut. "We feel that a major benefit for advertisers is that our audience is fully measured and commercials can be targeted to an individual viewer based on the viewer's gender, age and location."

As the sponsor of the 2005 and 2006 "PlanetOut Short Movie Awards," Scion, a Toyota brand, is a launch partner for PlanetOut Video. Scion commercials are now running across the Gay.com and PlanetOut.com network.

The service will kick off in September with the exclusive online premiere of the first episode of Sundance Channel's original 8-part documentary series "TransGeneration" prior to its television debut on Sept. 20. Produced by World of Wonder and directed by Jeremy Simmons, "TransGeneration" follows four college students as they balance schoolwork, campus life and family with their commitment to gender reassignment. The gay community will be able to learn more about "TransGeneration" through sneak peeks of upcoming episodes, special footage and interviews with cast members. "TransGeneration" is a Sundance Channel production in association with MTVN's Logo (who will broadcast the series in early 2006).

"We chose PlanetOut as our strategic marketing partner and online host for the premiere of episode one of "TransGeneration" because of their deep reach in the LGBT market, their success in building unique, interactive programming and their ability to support a fully integrated campaign to this discerning audience," said Kirk Iwanowski, senior vice president of marketing for Sundance Channel. "Sundance Channel looks forward to building this multi-faceted relationship with PlanetOut beyond the launch of this series."

PlanetOut plans to enter into other content partnerships in the future. In 2006, it is expected that member-generated video content will be procured and distributed through PlanetOut Video.

About Sundance Channel

Under the creative direction of Robert Redford, Sundance Channel is the television destination for independent-minded viewers seeking something different. Bold, uncompromising and irreverent, Sundance Channel offers audiences a diverse and engaging selection of films, documentaries, and original programs, all uncut and commercial free. Launched in 1996, Sundance Channel is a venture between NBC Universal, Robert Redford, and Showtime Networks Inc. Sundance Channel operates independently of the non-profit Sundance Institute and the Sundance Film Festival, but shares the overall Sundance mission of encouraging artistic freedom of expression. Sundance Channel's website address is www.sundancechannel.com.

About PlanetOut Inc.

PlanetOut Inc. is a leading global online media company offering consumer services, news and entertainment to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. The company serves its growing base of more than 3.5 million active members worldwide through a comprehensive group of branded businesses featuring diverse chat, news, entertainment, travel, dating, personal finance, career, shopping and community services at Gay.com, PlanetOut.com, Kleptomaniac.com and OUT&ABOUT Travel. PlanetOut, based in San Francisco, offers FORTUNE 1000 advertisers access to what it believes to be the most extensive network of gay and lesbian people in the world. Gay.com consistently ranks in the top five, among all Web sites measured, for average time spent at home online per visitor in the U.S., according to Nielsen//NetRatings' Loyalty Stickiness Report. For more information, please visit www.planetoutinc.com.

Forward Looking Statements

In addition to the historical information contained herein, this press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding PlanetOut's anticipated future growth and financial performance, as well as statements containing the words "will," believes," "feels," "expects," and similar words. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the Company's limited operating history and variability of operating results; the Company's ability to attract and retain subscribers and advertisers, competition, and our dependence on our technology infrastructure and the Internet. Additional information concerning factors that could affect our future business and financial results is included in the Company's Form S-1 and other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, available at www.sec.gov.

Source: PlanetOut Inc.

CONTACT: Spencer Moore of PlanetOut Inc., +1-415-834-6476, or mobile,
+1-415-317-7100, or spencer.moore@planetoutinc.com; or Sara Eaton of Sundance
Channel, +1-212-645-1613, or sara.eaton@sundancechannel.com

Web site: http://www.planetout.com/

Web site: http://www.planetoutinc.com/

Web site: http://gay.com/

Web site: http://www.sundancechannel.com/

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Profile: intent