Guetersloh, Germany (ots)

Isolated reports indicate that
Bertelsmann intends to merge its US book clubs with the stock
market-listed Internet bookseller Barnesandnoble.com. This statement
is incorrect and has no basis in fact.

The integration of BOL.com and Clubs to transform Bertelsmann's
direct-to-customer businesses - with their 55 million customers -
into a community-based venture refers exclusively to the European and
Asian market.

Bertelsmann has a 36 percent interest in Barnesandnoble.com.

Further Information is available: www.directgroup-news.de

Contact:

Gerd Koslowski
Vice President Communication
DirectGroup Bertelsmann
Phone +49 (0) 5241 / 80-4 15 55
E-mail: Gerd.Koslowski@bertelsmann.de