J
ust got confirmation from a very reliable source that Newscorp, eager to repeat its early success with MySpace (though not its later decline) has closed a definitive purchase of Twitter for “at least $750mm in cash.”
“We see Twitter as a key strategic asset for Newscorp,” the source told me, promising “not to muck it up too badly with home page takeover ads, at least, not this year.”
I could not reach @ev or @biz for comment, but since their isn’t their first goat rodeo, and they only have 140 characters to play with anyway, they won’t be making uncomfortably-half-drunk-with-money videos any time soon.
Congrats to everyone, especially Jon Miller, who now has the Web’s hottest growth property to keep an eye on. Hey Jon, you’re on Twitter, aren’t you?!
One clear result of this purchase is that all Fox News anchors will finally start a-tweetin’, and CNN’s constant pimping of the service will certainly dwindle….
UPDATE: This *is* an April Fool’s joke…
If this is not a 1 April joke, congrats to both parties. What will the business model be like in the future?
What to expect from News Corporation in Europe and Asia?
Please tell me this isn’t an April Fool’s Day joke!
The top link is not working.
I heard this too. I heard @ev said “our entire goal when we started twitter was to sell to Fox for more than MySpace did. Take that, Chris and Tom!”
DM from @ev on the subject:
I asked what he was looking at next and if there were any opportunities in a new venture.
He responded:
“New venture? Eff that man, I’m buyin a boat.”
He seems happy.
(this is brilliant, btw)
So April Fools – not sure why Battelle would think this is a clever or funny thing to use as the mandatory April Fools story.
You had me fooled!
Great April Fools.
At that price I would be in the market!
Finally News Corp gains a media company with some integrity.
Come on! Only 750, it should 2 billion dollars acquisition is a good April Fool joke..This one sucked..
Welcome, Twitter, to the News Corporation family!
what an absolutely lame April fool attempt. Come on John. We would really expect more from you.
This could almost be considered a little irresponsible, too. Investors might not bother clicking the link.
Of course, all their brokers are layed off anyway…
Thanks a lot.
Come on… The “very reliable source” link resolves to Wikipedia’s entry on April Fool’s Day! Does anyone check sources anymore?
It’s a GREAT April Fool’s joke. I particularly like the “very reliable source” touch.