SAN JOSE, CA-March 11, 2002-Knight Ridder Digital, the operator of the Real Cities network of local media Web sites, today announced the launch of the fifth annual Real Cities everything-Oscars online destination. This year's innovative and comprehensive Oscars coverage features star profiles, interviews with nominees, film reviews and red-carpet interactive slideshows.

Real Cities' pre- and post-show content of the 74th Academy Awards includes:

• Interactivity: discussion forum, Oscar trivia, movie trailers and interactive polls
• News and resources: nominations and awards coverage, celebrity interviews, non-stop gossip, Oscar predictions and movie reviews
• Fashion: runway slide shows, best/worst-dressed star polls and fashion critiques

Real Cities' Oscars Web site is available by visiting Real Cities' entertainment service (www.realcities.com) and choosing any available region or city (BayArea.com, TwinCities.com, Miami.com, and Philly.com), clicking on the "Entertainment" tab and then selecting the "Oscars" section. The Entertainment Channel is available on Knight Ridder Digital's 26 owned and operated Real Cities' local and regional Web sites. Real Cities' coverage of the Oscars complements the Real Cities Entertainment Channel's localized online entertainment content, which includes weekend planners that provide users reviews of movies, restaurants, festivals, stage performances, live music, clubs and much more.

"Real Cities recognizes the Oscars are the ultimate celebration of Hollywood glamour," said Judi Morrissey, online entertainment manager, Knight Ridder Digital. "Fans want to know everything about the stars - the clothes, the makeup, the post-party plans, the gossip, who won and who lost. Real Cities' Oscars coverage is a natural and comprehensive extension of our deep, local entertainment content."

About Knight Ridder Digital and Real Cities
Knight Ridder Digital, a leader in local information on the Web, creates innovative online services and comprehensive local content to help consumers make the most of their experiences on the Internet. Knight Ridder Digital develops and manages the Internet properties of Knight Ridder, the nation'ssecond-largest newspaper publisher. Knight Ridder Digital is a separate Internet subsidiary and is the founder and operator of Real Cities, a premier national network of city and regional Web sites nationwide.

Real Cities consists of a unique partnership network that brings together the best local strengths of leading U.S. media and Internet companies including properties of Belo Interactive, E.W. Scripps Co, Knight Ridder Digital, Media General, Gannett Co., Inc., The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and The Milwaukee Journal. The network allows media organizations to leverage their strong local content in a national network that brings to consumers news, sports, event happenings and community connections from locally-run information sources that are trusted to be the heart and soul of their locale. Among Real Cities' member Web sites are AZCentral.com, BayArea.com, Charlotte.com, Cincinow.com, DFW.com, DallasNews.com, Indy.com, JournalNow.com, KansasCity.com, Kentucky.com, Miami.com, NYDailyNews.com, NWSource.com, NYDailyNews.com, Post-Gazette.com, ProJo.com, TBO.com, TimesDispatch.com and TwinCities.com.