AOL..rules?
From Niyi:
AOL: From zero to hero
America Online has gone from Wall Street whipping post to desired Web commodity. Here's why.
NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - America Online, for years the target of harsh criticism from Time Warner investors and Web users alike, is finally having its Sally Field moment.
AOL can't deny the fact that people like it! They really like it!
All of a sudden, AOL, which like CNN/Money is owned by Time Warner (Research), has become a lusted after Internet property. There have been reports that AOL is in talks with Microsoft's (Research) MSN about some sort of joint venture.
And on Wednesday, a source close to the situation said that Google (Research) and cable giant Comcast (Research) are in negotiations to purchase a minority stake in AOL.
What's more, AOL has been widely praised for its decision in June to make much of its content free to all, as opposed to just subscribers. Most notably, the online service was lauded for its streaming audio and video coverage of the Live 8 benefit concerts in July.
A spokeswoman for Time Warner would not comment on reports about AOL's future and Time Warner CEO Richard Parsons, speaking at a business luncheon in Hong Kong Thursday, called the reports "market rumors" but declined further comment.
