Google, Comcast court AOL
Print storyOh to be popular
Posted in Financial News, 13th October 2005 11:49 GMT
Tune into our application security webcast, click here
Google and US cableco Comcast are reportedly interested in paying up to $5bn for a slice of AOL, according to a flurry of reports from the US.
Time Warner is already holding talks with Microsoft about possible joint venture between AOL and MSN.
Now it's emerged that Google and Comcast have their own ideas for a possible tie-up. Why?
Well, the WSJ reckons that any approach from Google is based partly on self-preservation. AOL accounts for Google's biggest single source of revenue and if AOL were to team up with MSN, then Google would lose out.
Snuggling up to AOL would preserve that revenue stream and give Google the chance to expand its search empire.
For Comcast, hopping into bed with AOL and Google would give it access to a massive audience to flog its broadband services.
And for AOL, any deal would give its parent an injection of cash that would help appease some grumpy investors. ®
See what The Register's experts have to say on application security
Can Outsiders Enhance Exchange?
The future of SaaS and IT infrastructure management
Solving on-premise email challenges with on-demand services
The business case for application security
Reducing messaging and web security costs with managed services
Win a Samsung C6625!
Is your cameraphone an oxymoron?
Reg Mobile and Wireless newsletter is go! go! go!
Sign up, sign up for The Register IT security newsletter