Document:

<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.42

                       [NewSub Services, Inc. letterhead]
                                Promissory Note

April 20, 1999                    $1,000,000                       Stamford, CT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned NewSub Services, Inc. hereby promises to pay
to the order of Michael Loeb, or his successors or assigns, the principal amount
of $1,000,000 as hereafter provided.  The loan is payable on demand.  The
interest rate is 10% per annum.

1.    Payment

Payment will be made in full, including interest upon demand.  Any default in
the payments due hereunder, which continues for more than 30 days, shall
constitute an Event of Default, as defined herein below.

2.    Events of Default

If any of the following events shall occur, hereinafter individually referred to
as an event of default, the entire unpaid principal and accrued interest thereon
shall immediately become due and payable:

(a)   Default in the making of any payment due under this Note when it become
due and payable and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days: or

(b)   Bankruptcy proceeding on behalf of NewSub Services, Inc.

3.    Acceleration on Default

NewSub Services, Inc. and any endorser or guarantor of the obligation agree that
upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, this note shall become due and
payable without notice, presentment, or demand of payment.

4.    Non Waiver

No delay or failure on the part of Michael Loeb to exercise any power or right
hereunder shall operate as a waiver and such rights and powers shall be deemed
continuous, nor shall a partial exercise preclude full exercise; and no right or
remedy of Michael Loeb shall be deemed abridged or modified by any course of
conduct and no waiver thereof shall be predicated thereon, nor shall failure to
exercise any such power or right subject Michael Loeb to any liability.
<PAGE>

5.    Waiver

Except as set forth herein above, NewSub Services, Inc. waives presentment,
demand for payment, notice of dishonor, and all other notices and demands in
connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default, or endorsement
of this note.

6.    Jurisdiction

Michael Loeb and NewSub Services, Inc. hereby agree to submit themselves to the
jurisdiction of the State and Federal courts of the State of Connecticut, and
each agrees to submit itself to service of process with respect to such courts
in connection with any lawsuit arising under this note or the transactions
contemplated or described hereunder.

7.    Costs of Collection

Should the indebtedness represented by this Note or any part thereof be placed
in the hands of attorneys for collection after an Event of Default, as defined
herein, NewSub Services, Inc. agrees to pay the principal, premium if any and
interest due and payable hereon, and all costs of collecting this note,
including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses.

8.    Applicable Law

This note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of Connecticut without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.

/s/ Robert D. Bock
--------------------------
By:  NewSub Services, Inc.

/s/ Kimberly Klein
--------------------------
Witness<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.43
                       [NewSub Services, Inc. letterhead]
                                Promissory Note

April 28, 1999                 $2,000,000                      Stamford, CT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned NewSub Services, Inc. hereby promises to pay
to the order of Michael Loeb, or his successors or assigns, the principal amount
of $2,000,000 as hereafter provided.  The loan is payable on demand.  The
interest rate is 10% per annum.

1.  Payment

Payment will be made in full, including interest upon demand.  Any default in
the payments due hereunder, which continues for more than 30 days, shall
constitute an Event of Default, as defined herein below.

2.  Events of Default

If any of the following events shall occur, hereinafter individually referred to
as an event of default, the entire unpaid principal and accrued interest thereon
shall immediately become due and payable:

(a) Default in the making of any payment due under this Note when it become due
and payable and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days: or

(b) Bankruptcy proceeding on behalf of NewSub Services, Inc.

3.  Acceleration on Default

NewSub Services, Inc. and any endorser or guarantor of the obligation agree that
upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, this note shall become due and
payable without notice, presentment, or demand of payment.

4.  Non Waiver

No delay or failure on the part of Michael Loeb to exercise any power or right
hereunder shall operate as a waiver and such rights and powers shall be deemed
continuous, nor shall a partial exercise preclude full exercise; and no right or
remedy of Michael Loeb shall be deemed abridged or modified by any course of
conduct and no waiver thereof shall be predicated thereon, nor shall failure to
exercise any such power or right subject Michael Loeb to any liability.
<PAGE>

5.  Waiver

Except as set forth herein above, NewSub Services, Inc. waives presentment,
demand for payment, notice of dishonor, and all other notices and demands in
connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default, or endorsement
of this note.

6.  Jurisdiction

Michael Loeb and NewSub Services, Inc. hereby agree to submit themselves to the
jurisdiction of the State and Federal courts of the State of Connecticut, and
each agrees to submit itself to service of process with respect to such courts
in connection with any lawsuit arising under this note or the transactions
contemplated or described hereunder.

7.  Costs of Collection

Should the indebtedness represented by this Note or any part thereof be placed
in the hands of attorneys for collection after an Event of Default, as defined
herein, NewSub Services, Inc. agrees to pay the principal, premium if any and
interest due and payable hereon, and all costs of collecting this note,
including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses.

8.  Applicable Law

This note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of Connecticut without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.

/s/ Robert D. Bock
-------------------------
By:  NewSub Services, Inc.

/s/ [Illegible]
-------------------------
Witness

                                       2<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.44

                       [NewSub Services, Inc. letterhead]
                                Promissory Note

May 25, 1999                    $1,000,000                        Stamford, CT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED the undersigned NewSub Services, Inc. hereby promises to pay
to the order of Michael Loeb, or his successors or assigns, the principal amount
of $1,000,000 as hereafter provided.  The loan is payable on demand.  The
interest rate is 10% per annum.

1.    Payment

Payment will be made in full, including interest upon demand.  Any default in
the payments due hereunder, which continues for more than 30 days, shall
constitute an Event of Default, as defined herein below.

2.    Events of Default

If any of the following events shall occur, hereinafter individually referred to
as an event of default, the entire unpaid principal and accrued interest thereon
shall immediately become due and payable:

(a)   Default in the making of any payment due under this Note when it become
due and payable and continuance of such default for a period of 30 days: or

(b)   Bankruptcy proceeding on behalf of NewSub Services, Inc.

3.    Acceleration on Default

NewSub Services, Inc. and any endorser or guarantor of the obligation agree that
upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, this note shall become due and
payable without notice, presentment, or demand of payment.

4.    Non Waiver

No delay or failure on the part of Michael Loeb to exercise any power or right
hereunder shall operate as a waiver and such rights and powers shall be deemed
continuous, nor shall a partial exercise preclude full exercise; and no right or
remedy of Michael Loeb shall be deemed abridged or modified by any course of
conduct and no waiver thereof shall be predicated thereon, nor shall failure to
exercise any such power or right subject Michael Loeb to any liability.
<PAGE>

5.    Waiver

Except as set forth herein above, NewSub Services, Inc. waives presentment,
demand for payment, notice of dishonor, and all other notices and demands in
connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default, or endorsement
of this note.

6.    Jurisdiction

Michael Loeb and NewSub Services, Inc. hereby agree to submit themselves to the
jurisdiction of the State and Federal courts of the State of Connecticut, and
each agrees to submit itself to service of process with respect to such courts
in connection with any lawsuit arising under this note or the transactions
contemplated or described hereunder.

7.    Costs of Collection

Should the indebtedness represented by this Note or any part thereof be placed
in the hands of attorneys for collection after an Event of Default, as defined
herein, NewSub Services, Inc. agrees to pay the principal, premium if any and
interest due and payable hereon, and all costs of collecting this note,
including reasonable attorneys fees and expenses.

8.    Applicable Law

This note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of Connecticut without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.

/s/ Kevin Manion
-------------------------
By: NewSub Services, Inc.

/s/ Kimberly Klein
-------------------------
Witness<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.45

                                Promissory Note

November 12, 1999                $2,000,000                    Stamford, CT

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, NewSub Services, Inc. ("Maker") hereby promises to pay to
the order of Michael Loeb ("Lender"), or his successors or assigns, the
principal amount of $2,000,000 as hereafter provided.  The loan is payable on
demand.  The interest rate is 10% per annum.

1. Payment.
   -------

Payment will be made in full, including interest upon demand.  Any default in
the payments due hereunder, which continues for more than 30 days, shall
constitute an Event of Default, as defined herein below.

2. Events of Default.
   -----------------

If any of the following events shall occur, hereinafter individually referred to
as an event of default, the entire unpaid principal and accrued interest thereon
shall immediately become due and payable:

     (a)  Default in the making of any payment due under this Note when it
          become due and payable and continuance of such default for a period of
          30 days: or

     (b)  Bankruptcy proceeding on behalf of Maker

3. Acceleration on Default.
   -----------------------

Maker and any endorser or guarantor of the obligation agree that upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default, this Note shall become due and payable
without notice, presentment, or demand of payment.

4. Non Waiver.
   ----------

No delay or failure on the part of Lender to exercise any power or right
hereunder shall operate as a waiver and such rights and powers shall be deemed
continuous, nor shall a partial exercise preclude full exercise; and no right or
remedy of Lender shall be deemed abridged or modified by any course of conduct
and no waiver thereof shall be predicated thereon, nor shall failure to exercise
any such power or right subject Lender to any liability.
<PAGE>

5. Waiver.
   ------

Except as set forth herein above, Maker waives presentment, demand for payment,
notice of dishonor, and all other notices and demands in connection with the
delivery, acceptance, performance, default, or endorsement of this Note.

6. Jurisdiction.
   ------------

Lender and Maker hereby agree to submit themselves to the jurisdiction of the
State and Federal courts of the State of Connecticut, and each agrees to submit
itself to service of process with respect to such courts in connection with any
lawsuit arising under this Note or the transactions contemplated or described
hereunder.

7. Costs of Collection.
   -------------------

Should the indebtedness represented by this Note or any part thereof be placed
in the hands of attorneys for collection after an Event of Default, as defined
herein, Maker agrees to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest due and
payable hereon, and all costs of collecting this Note, including reasonable
attorneys fees and expenses.

8. Applicable Law.
   --------------

This Note shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
State of Connecticut without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law.

/s/ Jonathan A. Siegel
------------------------------
By:  NewSub Services, Inc.

/s/ Angela Yates
------------------------------
Witness

                                       2

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