Entertainment Websites

Entertainment enthusiasts no longer rely on fan clubs, print publications, and word of mouth to get the latest news; now all they do is type in a URL, and they're whisked away to a site that gives them the scoop, plus encourages interactive participation via chats, videos, polls, and purchases. In the few years they've been around, these sites have forever changed the industry. For instance, movie sites created a buzz for The Blair Witch Project, an independent film that might never have received mass distribution otherwise. Likewise, Napster heralded a radical change in the music industry, as major recording labels realized that millions of people would rather download songs for free than pay for overpriced CDs. Sports sites also got in on the interactive game, allowing users to create dream teams by combing through statistics.

Picking up where Napster left off, Real.com and MSN's Windows Media let PC users listen to songs from a vast catalog as well as connect to videos, discographies, and technical support. Meanwhile, MP3.com invites listeners to check out thousands of free songs. Over at the movie end of the spectrum, the best sites combine material from their affiliates, so that MSN: Entertainment, to name one, gathers bits and pieces from E!Online, Citysearch, and Rollingstone.com.

In addition to taking advantage of the fantasy league feature, many sports buffs visit ESPN.com and CNN Sports Illustrated to find exhaustive coverage on every sport known to man. Sites that target specific sports, like NASCAR.com, also generate both popularity and revenue, showing off interactive tools and merchandise galore. The bottom line is that entertainment fans want the constantly updated news and hands-on extras that only the Internet provides.