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NBC to use HIRO for DotComedy downloads

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dotcomedy.jpgNBC’s DotComedy.com and HIRO Media Ltd. announced that HIRO’s patent-pending technology will deliver free, ad-supported downloads of the website’s premium comedy entertainment. DotComedy began using the HIRO download solution for Comedy To Go, a compilation of the site’s best original videos and will use the HIRO system for all of the downloadable content added to the site. The partnership was brokered by William Morris Digital.

The HIRO solution enables DotComedy.com to monetize its free-to-download programs through the inclusion of protected advertisements that play in-show, as with a standard television broadcast. While the programs can be viewed when online or offline, the HIRO solution allows NBC to dynamically change the advertisements each time viewers watch the show. This flexibility offers advertisers the option to create more effective, personalized, time sensitive or serialized ad campaigns and promotions.

Originally posted on August 8, 2007 @ 11:21 am

HandHeld Entertainment to acquire eBaum’s World for $17.5 million

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ebaumsworld.jpgHandHeld Entertainment, Inc., a global digital entertainment company, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire eBaum’s World, Inc., one of the Internet’s premier online entertainment sites, offering user-generated videos, games, jokes, photos and other content.

Founded in 1998, eBaum’s World is one of the oldest and most successful user-generated content sites in the world, generating approximately $5.2 million in revenue and $1.6 million in net income before income taxes in 2006. During the last 12 months, eBaum’s World served more than 2.5 billion unique page views and video streams, with an average time on site per user visit of more than 10 minutes. The company has relationships with such leading media companies as AOL Video, Facebook, FOX Mobile and others.

Under the terms of the acquisition, which is expected to close later this year, HandHeld will pay $17.5 million for eBaum’s World at closing, including $15.0 million in cash, $5.0 million in common stock, which is subject to a $2.5 million one-year hold-back based on achievement of certain financial targets. In addition, HandHeld may pay earn-outs of up to $32.5 million ($17.5 million in stock and $15.0 million in cash) over three years to the owners of eBaum’s World, dependent on the achievement of certain financial and operational milestones of the purchased business.

Originally posted on August 2, 2007 @ 7:21 pm