Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

CBS to Acquire CNET Networks For $1.8B
Internetnews ^ | 15 May 2008 | Kenneth Corbin

Posted on 05/15/2008 7:37:57 PM PDT by ShadowAce

CBS (NYSE: CBS), in a bid to extend its online properties, announced today that it would purchase CNET Networks (NASDAQ: CNET) for $1.8 billion in cash, or $11.50 a share.

Through the acquisition of the popular Internet network, whose properties include ZDNet, news.com and TechRepublic, CBS is looking to build out its online presence and become one of the most heavily trafficked brands on the Web.

CBS, which largely sat out the cable channel buying boom in the early 1990s compared to its competition such as NBC, has been trying to leapfrog into the Web as a way to diversify its traditional broadcast revenues.

"There are very few opportunities to acquire a profitable, growing, well-managed Internet company like CNET Networks," CBS President and CEO Leslie Moonves said in a statement. "Together, CBS and CNET Networks will have significant additional exposure to the fastest-growing advertising sector and can accelerate our growth through a number of new content, promotion and advertising initiatives."

The deal comes as CNET has been struggling to stave off a group of activist investors led by the hedge fund Jana Partners., who have been seeking to take control of the company's board. Now, those directors have voted unanimously in favor of selling to CBS, with the transaction expected to close in the third quarter, pending shareholder approval.

Like many old-line broadcast companies, CBS has been trying to extend its Internet offerings as advertising dollars continue to migrate online. CBS has recently acquired smaller vertical Web properties such as the music site Last.fm and the celebrity site Dotspotter.com.

In March, CBS saw 28.6 million unique visitors to its Web properties, ranking it No. 24 in overall traffic according to online metrics firm comScore. At No. 16 on the same list, CNET sites had 34.6 million unique visitors.

CBS said that it expects the combined entity to bring in some 54 million unique monthly visitors, making it one of the 10 most heavily trafficked networks on the Web.

Just last month, CNET announced a partnership with Yahoo to syndicate its technology content and cross-sell advertising. The three-year partnership was widely viewed as a response to Jana Partners' agitating for the company to more aggressively court online ad dollars.

Moonves said that the acquisition will not change the terms of CNET's partnership with Yahoo, and signaled that he was optimistic about forming a closer relationship with the Web portal. CBS and Yahoo have struck deals together in the past, including a partnership to syndicate local news from CBS and share ad revenue.

CNET shares were up 44 percent to $11.43 in early trading.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Technical
KEYWORDS: cbs; cnet; internet; newmedia

1 posted on 05/15/2008 7:37:58 PM PDT by ShadowAce
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: rdb3; Calvinist_Dark_Lord; GodGunsandGuts; CyberCowboy777; Salo; Bobsat; JosephW; ...

2 posted on 05/15/2008 7:38:20 PM PDT by ShadowAce (Linux -- The Ultimate Windows Service Pack)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: abb; Milhous

Ping to the Dinosaur Media Rebirthin’ watch.


3 posted on 05/15/2008 7:47:56 PM PDT by sam_paine (X .................................)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ShadowAce; Milhous; bert; conservatism_IS_compassion; stocksthatgoup

With such news of an acquisition boosting stocks, I wonder what the shareholder response would be if the network dumped Katie Couric.

The Board of Directors is obligated to wonder just that scenario.


4 posted on 05/15/2008 7:53:54 PM PDT by The Spirit Of Allegiance (Public Employees: Honor Your Oaths! Defend the Constitution from Enemies--Foreign and Domestic!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: ShadowAce
What's the frequency, Kenneth?

----

Send treats to the troops...
Great because you did it!
www.AnySoldier.com

5 posted on 05/15/2008 8:00:45 PM PDT by JCG
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ShadowAce

Well there goes C|Net’s Download.com :(


6 posted on 05/15/2008 8:43:21 PM PDT by anymouse
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: anymouse
Well there goes C|Net’s Download.com :(

Noooo ... say it isn't so. I second your :'(

7 posted on 05/15/2008 8:55:38 PM PDT by DeLaVerdad
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: DeLaVerdad
"Well there goes C|Net’s Download.com :("
Noooo ... say it isn't so. I second your :'(

I call the question. All in favor, say "Nay!" *\:-(

8 posted on 05/16/2008 6:42:00 AM PDT by sionnsar (trad-anglican.faithweb.com |Iran Azadi| 5yst3m 0wn3d - it's N0t Y0ur5 (SONY) | UN: Useless Nations)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson