Fisher Communications Launches 43 Hyperlocal Seattle Neighborhood Web Sites to Serve Local Communities and Advertisers

SEATTLE, WA, Aug 17 (MARKET WIRE) --
Fisher Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: FSCI) today announced that it has
launched a network of 43 hyperlocal neighborhood Web sites in the Seattle
market, increasing local content offerings and expanding advertising
opportunities for local businesses. The hyperlocal sites bring together
KOMO television's valuable content and DataSphere Technologies' new
LocalNet service, an online platform that provides technology,
advertising and sales solutions.

This extensive network of Web sites will be the largest hyperlocal system
in any one region in the country. The sites are designed to provide local
communities with the best source of information about the news, events,
entertainment and personalities relevant to their day-to-day lives. The
new sites include BallardKOMO.com, BellevueKOMO.com and 41 others. A
complete list of the sites can be found at
http://www.komonews.com/communities.

"These sites further integrate KOMO News into the fabric of the
neighborhoods of Seattle," said Fisher Seattle Vice President and General
Manager Jim Clayton. "They will provide KOMO News with an excellent
opportunity to build relationships with small local businesses and enhance
the timeliness and breadth of our news gathering operations."

To support its hyperlocal Web sites, KOMO will restructure its Seattle
newsroom to effectively and efficiently capture and post community news on
a real-time basis. Local stories and breaking news that KOMO reporters
cover on a daily basis will be complemented with user generated content,
and also with content provided through an innovative partnership with
Windermere Real Estate, a company with local knowledge and strong presence
in each community.

Fisher's President and CEO Colleen B. Brown explained, "As consumers are
increasingly tapping into social and digital media platforms for their
news and information, we are implementing our strategic plan and adapting
initiatives and content offerings to match these changing industry
dynamics." She added, "We are using our rich broadcast heritage as the
foundation for our 'broadcast to broadband' initiative in order to provide
cost efficient relevant information to our audience and more targeted
messaging for our advertisers."

Troy McGuire, vice president of news and general manager of Fisher
Interactive Network, said, "We believe we have differentiated our
hyperlocal program from others by developing an innovative content
development strategy and an ability to rapidly monetize our program."

The new sites are the first example of DataSphere Technologies' new
LocalNet service, which provides TV broadcasters and other local media
companies with the opportunity to take advantage of powerful existing
brands and communication channels to build relevant and valuable online
assets. LocalNet is a complete solution to address the local small
business advertising market, including not only technology but also a
seasoned, professional sales team. New clients can be up and running
within weeks.

"Fisher Communications is a true leader in the extension of traditional
media to the online world," said Satbir Khanuja, CEO of DataSphere
Technologies. "We are thrilled to be working closely with them. Our
solution provides an exciting vision for companies seeking to grow their
online revenue without a substantial technology or sales force
investment."

This latest collaboration between Fisher and DataSphere builds on Fisher's
earlier adoption of DataSphere's Search and Discovery for Media. The
original implementation resulted in an increase in search driven page
views of more than 5 times and more than a 25% increase in gross Web site
revenue within the first 3 months.

Fisher expects to launch similar platforms in its other markets, beginning
with Portland later this fall. In addition, Fisher and DataSphere
anticipate distributing the technology and sales solution to other
broadcast companies looking to establish hyperlocal sites.

NOTE: KOMO has produced three 30-second videos to promote the Company's
hyperlocal Web sites. The videos can be found at
http://communities.komonews.com/content/komo-communities.

About Fisher Communications, Inc.

Fisher Communications, Inc. is a Seattle-based communications company that
owns and operates 13 full power television stations (including a 50%-owned
television station), 7 low power television stations, and 8 radio stations
(in addition to 2 radio stations not owned by the Company but for which
the Company provides programming or sales services) in the Western United
States. The Company also owns and operates Fisher Interactive Network, its
online division; Fisher Pathways, a satellite and fiber transmission
provider; and Fisher Plaza, a media, telecommunications, and data center
facility located near downtown Seattle. For more information about Fisher
Communications, Inc., go to www.fsci.com.

About DataSphere

DataSphere Technologies, Inc. (http://www.DataSphere.com) is a Software as
a Service (SaaS) Web technology and hyperlocal ad sales company focused on
generating online profits for media companies. DataSphere offers a range
of turnkey solutions to rapidly improve site monetization and experience
with minimal investment of time and money.

DataSphere is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, USA and led by a team
of Internet veterans with backgrounds from Amazon.com, IMDb, Microsoft,
RealNetworks and AltaVista.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes forward-looking statements. We have based these
forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections
about future events. Forward-looking statements include information
preceded by, followed by, or that includes the words "guidance,"
"believes," "expects," "anticipates," or "could," or similar expressions.
For these statements, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor
for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The forward-looking statements contained in
this news release, concerning, among other things, changes in revenue,
cash flow and operating expenses, involve risks and uncertainties, and are
subject to change based on various important factors, including the impact
of changes in national and regional economies, our ability to service and
refinance our outstanding debt, successful integration of acquired
television stations (including achievement of synergies and cost
reductions), pricing fluctuations in local and national advertising,
future regulatory actions and conditions in the television stations'
operating areas, competition from others in the broadcast television
markets served by the Company, volatility in programming costs, the
effects of governmental regulation of broadcasting, industry
consolidation, technological developments and major world news events.
Unless required by law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise
any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise. In light of these risks, uncertainties and
assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed in this news release
might not occur. You should not place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this
release. For more details on factors that could affect these
expectations, please see the risk factors in our Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as updated by the risk factors
contained in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June
30, 2009, both of which we have filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

Media Contacts:
Fisher Communications
Sard Verbinnen & Co
Ron Low or David Isaacs
(415) 618-8750

DataSphere
Erin Coffey Rinabarger
Email Contact
(425) 644-7540

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