Sympatico-Lycos ranked second in unique visitors and reach
    according to November Jupiter MediaMetrix report.

TORONTO,Dec. 20 2001 --Sympatico-Lycos Inc., a leading Canadian
Internet portal that offers one of the fastest growing broadband experiences
for high-speed Canadian users, today announced that it attained the position
of the second most visited Web property in Canada in terms of unique visitors
and reach.
    According to the Jupiter Media Metrix report, the properties of Sympatico-
Lycos Inc. received nearly 10 million unique visitors and reached 65.4 per
cent of the more than 15 million Canadians on-line at home and work in
November 2001. Sympatico.ca, the flagship of the Sympatico-Lycos Inc.
property, accounts for the majority of the property's ranking and reach having
received more than 6 million unique visitors and reached 40 per cent of on-
line Canadians last month.
    "This is a considerable milestone. It's been a challenging year in the on-
line marketplace and this demonstrates that we've not only prevailed in
difficult market conditions, but we've grown steadily," said Daniel Boisvert,
President and Chief Executive Officer, Sympatico-Lycos. "We attribute this
growth to our dedication to developing and providing top quality content and
tools to our users."
    Sympatico-Lycos also announced today that 2001 revenue increased
approximately 30 per cent over 2001 and that it has diversified revenue
streams for 2002 such that almost 50 per cent is generated by non-traditional
advertising sources.
    "We're confident that continued devotion to developing top-level content
for our users and a diversified revenue stream will fortify our market
leadership position, contribute to sustained growth and keep us on our path to
profitability," added Boisvert.

    About Sympatico-Lycos
    Sympatico-Lycos (http://www.sympatico.ca), a leading Canadian
Web
communications company, and provides Canadians with a comprehensive Internet
experience, combining world-class Internet technology and applications
including search, community, personalization and a wealth of Canadian content.
Its flagship properties include sympatico.ca; tripod.ca; canada411.ca;
yellowpages.ca; vancouverplus.ca; calgaryplus.ca; edmontonplus.ca;
montrealplus.ca; ottawaplus.ca; quebecplus.ca; and toronto.com, owned in
partnership with Torstar Corp. Sympatico-Lycos Inc., with offices in Toronto,
Ottawa, Quebec City, Montreal, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver, is part of
Bell Globemedia Interactive, which is a sister division to CTV and The Globe
and Mail within the Bell Globemedia family. Sympatico-Lycos is owned by Bell
Globemedia (71%) and Lycos Inc. (29%).




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For further information: Clive Hobson, Director, Public Relations,
Bell Globemedia Interactive 416.815.4635, chobson@sl.ca; Alan
Chumley,
Senior Manager, Public Relations, Bell Globemedia Interactive 416.815.4624,
achumley@sl.ca