CBSNews.com Announces Additional Live Webcast Anchored by Katie Couric on Election Night

CBSNews.com Announces Additional Live Webcast Anchored by Katie Couric on Election Night

EXPERIENCES SHARP GROWTH IN UNIQUE VISITORS AND USER ENGAGEMENT FOLLOWING ONLINE CAMPAIGN '08 COVERAGE

Nielsen NetRatings Report Finds 57% Year-over-Year Increase in Unique Visitors for Month of September

NEW YORK, Oct. 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Capitalizing on the tremendous interest in the 2008 presidential campaign, CBSNews.com today announced sharp increases in unique visitor and user engagement according to the latest Nielsen NetRatings report (September 2008, U.S. Data). CBS News has experienced a 38% month-over-month increase in unique visitors and a 57% month-over-month increase in visits. Also, CBSNews.com saw a significant 129% year-over-year increase in visits to the site, and a 57% year-over-year increase in unique visitors, along with a 96% year-over-year increase in page views.

CBS News also announced today Katie Couric will anchor an additional live Webcast on Election Night, November 4th, which will commence immediately following CBS News' live broadcast coverage of the election results and once again incorporate questions from the online audience received before and during the Webcast.

"This report underscores the success we've achieved by collaborating with CBS and CNET (www.cnet.com) to provide a unique platform where Katie Couric and the CBS News political team, along with the online audience can interact and stay informed on election issues," said Joe Gillespie, Executive Vice President, CBS Interactive. "Our online coverage of the presidential campaign is highly complementary to the CBS News broadcast coverage, providing viewers a unique opportunity to continue the 'conversation' and dig deeper into the issues that matter most during an election that has seen intense interest from the public."

Over the past month and half, CBSNews.com has produced a total of 11 live Webcasts, including following the Democratic and Republican National Convention primetime coverage, the Vice Presidential debate, and the three Presidential debates. Anchored by Couric, the Webcasts begin online on CBSNews.com and CNET.com immediately after CBS News' broadcast coverage concludes. The Webcasts last approximately 30-45 minutes and feature interviews, special guests, real-time reaction from uncommitted voters, and extended analysis from the CBS News political team, which also responds to viewer questions submitted online before and during the webcast.

The Webcasts during the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, as well as all four debates, will remain available for on-demand viewing at CBSNews.com, CNETTV.com, and CBS Mobile News and will also be distributed to CBS Audience Network partners. The webcasts will also be fed to and promoted by CBS Television Stations, and fed to CBS Radio News affiliates for insertion into their own programming or for podcasting.

About CBS News

The CBS News Division operates a worldwide news organization serving the CBS Television and Radio Networks and CBSNews.com with regularly scheduled news and public affairs programming -- including, among others, the CBS EVENING NEWS, THE EARLY SHOW, 60 MINUTES, 48 HOURS MYSTERY, FACE THE NATION and SUNDAY MORNING -- and special reports on breaking news. The division maintains 18 news bureaus and offices in the United States and abroad in addition to its world headquarters in New York.

About CNET

CNET (www.cnet.com) is where people go to discover the latest in tech and consumer electronics. Driven by a trusted voice and a passionate community, CNET creates an open environment for people to find and use the best products to fit their lifestyle. The powerful combination of CNET's award-winning news, lab-tested product reviews, safe and spyware-free downloads, and user-generated content give people information and inspiration to live and thrive in today's digital world.

About CBS Interactive

CBS Interactive, a division of CBS Corporation, is the best online content network for information and entertainment. Its portfolio of leading brands, which include CNET, CBS.com, CBSSports.com, GameSpot, TV.com, BNET, and Last.fm span popular categories like technology, entertainment, sports, news, and business. With more than 150 million people visiting its properties each month, CBS Interactive is a top 10 Web property globally.

Source: CBSNews.com

CONTACT: CONTACT: Leigh Farris of CBS News, +1-212-975-2888,
farrisl@cbsnews.com; or Jenifer Concepcion of CBS Interactive,
+1-415-344-2441, jenifer.concepcion@cbs.com

Web Site: http://www.cnet.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/965075.html

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