MySpace parent to buy photobucket site

[Hawkeye-X]

Source: Associated Press via 9news.com

NEW YORK (AP) - A Web site that enables its users to store photos and video for inclusion in MySpace profiles will become a part of the popular online hangout.

MySpace's parent, News Corp.'s Fox Interactive Media, said Wednesday it would acquire Photobucket Inc., just weeks after a public spat in which MySpace partially blocked content from Photobucket. The block was mysteriously lifted after about two weeks, but both sides had been silent on the details of their peacemaking.

Fox also separately bought Flektor Inc., which offers Web-based tools for creating slideshows, video mash-ups and other interactive presentations.

"As a leading site for creative expression, Photobucket extends our reach among personal media-sharing enthusiasts, and the innovative new entrant Flektor brings highly differentiated new tools to the table that will drive the next generation," Peter Levinsohn, president of Fox Interactive Media, said in a statement. "Together, they represent a powerful combination and we are thrilled for them to join our network."

Financial terms of the two deals were not disclosed. The Flektor deal closed within the past week, and the Photobucket acquisition is expected to close next month.

(more at link)


Read more: http://www.9news.com/money/article.aspx?storyid=71035

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Time to dump Photobucket and find another image hosting site, folks.

Hawkeye-X

[pitohui]

1. well i am not about to dump photobucket just on this news

they provide a free service, if that changes and they suddenly start charging, it would be different, but they provide a free service efficiently -- this is what i was taught the fabulous internets were supposed to be all about

[cain_7777]

5. PhotoBucket is not free

If Murdoch's Company, News Corp, buys photobucket then that is just more money going towards rightwing propoganda and the erosion of your freedom by the Republicans he supports. By continuing to use photobucket, the traffic on the site will entice more companies to advertise with them, and generate even more revenue for the evil bastards at NewsCorp who are dumbing down America.

[pitohui]

6. i've never paid a penny to use it, how is that not free?

use the site and ignore the ads like everybody else!

[uppityperson]

8. what money have they made, do they make off my use of them? Serious question.

If I don't click on ads, how do they make money?

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. Good question

[hunter]

2. Oh well. I've been meaning to host my own.

Now I've got the incentive.

[Cirque du So-What]

3. I have an extensive collection at Photobucket

and in all the time I've used the service, they've only deleted one of the photos due to its unsavory nature: a photoshop of a guy with 'anal-cranial inversion.'

Once Rupert's minions get their mitts on Photobucket, I expect a lot of deletions based on political content. I hope I'm proven wrong, but I'm pessimistic at this point.

[liberalnurse]

4. You are right there....

time to Dump Photobucket then.............:evilgrin:

[BrokenBeyondRepair]

7. consolidating

the internet as we now know it will be a thing of the past very soon

[Uncle Joe]

9. I agree,

everything Murdoch touches turns to fecal material.

[BrokenBeyondRepair]

10. it's sad

the complacent never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity

[SayWhatYo]

11. News Corp.'s Fox Interactive Media buys democratic underground...

...for 15 million.:hide:

[Up2Late]

12. What a weird headline. I had a vision of someones Dad buying it for his spoiled kid

Ooops.:spray:

[w4rma]

14. The headline is written to garner less attention, calm down and slightly confuse. (nt)

[alarimer]

15. My Space sucks

unless it has improved recently. When I used it, it was barely functional most of the time. And it is (or was, last I checked) very poorly designed and just looked like crap. I expect Photobucket now to fall to the same standard.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

16. Until they change the terms of photobucket I'm not changing where I host pics

I'll continue to use the service and not click ads or any other such thing to generate revenue. All the better if it turns into a bad investment for Fox Interactive Media.