We know, we know: the big news today is Microsoft’s bid to take over Yahoo. But believe it or not, there are other things going on in the world, and one of them is Yahoo’s acquisition of Maven Networks.
The deal hasn’t been publicly announced just yet, and as you might have guessed from our title, the purchase price hasn’t been nailed down, either. Still, assuming the Microsoft mess doesn’t delay matters, it’s pretty much a sure thing that the Internet TV specialist will become a Yahoo property within the next business day or so.
Maven Networks might have a lot to offer, too. Michael Arrington, who first wrote about the acquisition, states, “Maven is a video-hosting platform for media sites, including Fox News, CBS Sports, CNet, and Scripps Networks. But Yahoo would probably want it more for its video-ad network, targeting, and insertion technologies.”
If Yahoo intends to remain separate from Microsoft, this sort of potentially profitable stuff might be a lifesaver. On the other hand, many onlookers have suggested that the company cut away everything at which it’s not already good. And if Microsoft buys Yahoo, well, none of this will matter much (at least in the short term) compared to the huge upheaval elsewhere.
Still, we thought it’d be nice to provide something other than “all Microsoft-Yahoo, all the time” coverage. Hope you enjoyed the break.
