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Regulars
Relax, Viacom (Probably) Aren’t Buying Take-Two
That rumour yesterday about media giants Viacom swooping for troubled publishing house Take-Two? Most likely bogus. Both Reuters and Variety are pouring cold water on the suggestion, with Variety’s Ben Fritz reiterating something we heard a lot of yesterday: if Viacom were going to go for a publisher, it wouldn’t be one as costly and cumbersome as Take-Two. It’d be Midway, who are equally vulnerable, and who Viacom chairman Sumner Redstone happens to have a controlling stake in. That and his daughter, Shari Redstone, is chairman (chairlady?) of Midway. Viacom’s not making a bid for Take Two [Variety]
Viacom To Buy Take-Two?
Beleaguered publisher Take-Two haven’t had the best few years. Indeed, things have got so bad for the company in these post-Hot Coffee days that the past year or so have seen a metric fuckton of rumours pop up suggesting the company will be swallowed up and bought out. As of today, none have come to pass, and they’re still flying solo. But the latest – that Viacom are interested in the company – holds a lot of water. For one, Viacom are looking at getting into the gaming business. Secondly, Take-Two’s big-selling properties are original IP, not licensed movie or sports stuff, so there’d be no problems with rival companies for rights. And finally, because Take-Two shareholders are becoming increasingly impatient as they wait for the company to reverse its fortunes. Viacom looking at Take Two Interactive? [Notable Calls, via GI.biz]
Viacom, Microsoft Forge Alliance To Bring “Cribs” To Xbox 360s
An advertising and content sharing deal between Microsoft and Viacom, valued at some half-billion dollars, could bring even more Paramount, MTV and Comedy Central content to the Xbox Live Marketplace, including the MTV show Cribs, which could qualify as a rare win-win-win. Specifics on the “broad selection” of shows and movies that will be licensed as part of the deal weren’t given but Live Marketplace already enjoys plenty of content from MTV, MTV2, VH1, Comedy Central, Spike and other Viacom brands. That content could increase to include the as-yet unavailable via Marketplace housing program Cribs. Yes, Cribs.
While major portions of the deal won’t directly impact Xbox 360 owners, as if also includes shared advertising revenues and content for MSN, the prospect of increased Cribs access is too enticing to not report on. I can only hope this alliance will bring the criminally overlooked TV Funhouse to the available Comedy Central list of available programs.
Microsoft, Viacom Ink $500 Mil Ad Deal [CNN/Money]
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