CNN/Money 
News > Companies
graphic
Microsoft eyeing AOL?
Report says Time Warner executives have held talks recently about sale of online unit to Microsoft.
March 19, 2004: 6:34 AM EST

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - Time Warner Inc. may be looking into the possibility of selling its AOL unit to Microsoft, according to a published report Friday.

The New York Post, citing people familiar with the situation, said Time Warner executives have held talks in recent months with Microsoft about a potential sale of AOL.

The deal being discussed within Time Warner would include Microsoft (MSFT: Research, Estimates) paying cash plus the assumption of debt to acquire AOL, the paper said, adding that Microsoft may even be considering a possible investment in Time Warner Cable.

YOUR E-MAIL ALERTS
Time Warner
Microsoft Corporation

Both companies are already in discussions about ways to use Microsoft technology in Time Warner's content businesses, and discussions about a deal for AOL emanated from those talks, the report said.

According to the report, Time Warner lawyers have also been analyzing possible antitrust issues from such a deal, and have indicated there would be few roadblocks to Microsoft's acquisition of AOL.

The Post quoted Time Warner spokesman Ed Adler as saying "such speculation is silly and pointless." Microsoft declined to comment on the matter, the report said.

AOL is a division of Time Warner (TWX: Research, Estimates), the parent company of CNN/Money.  Top of page




  More on NEWS
Dimon asked to testify before Senate panel on June 7
El-Erian: 'A Greek exit is inevitable'
Facebook IPO: Wall Street's losses mount
  TODAY'S TOP STORIES
DISH SUED FOR AD-FREE DVR
Stocks snap three-week losing streak
Euro's parachute drop has no end - The Buzz




graphic graphic

Market indexes are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer LIBOR Warning: Neither BBA Enterprises Limited, nor the BBA LIBOR Contributor Banks, nor Reuters, can be held liable for any irregularity or inaccuracy of BBA LIBOR. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2012 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer The Dow Jones IndexesSM are proprietary to and distributed by Dow Jones & Company, Inc. and have been licensed for use. All content of the Dow Jones IndexesSM © 2012 is proprietary to Dow Jones & Company, Inc. Chicago Mercantile Association. The market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2012. All rights reserved. Most stock quote data provided by BATS.
Market indexes are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer LIBOR Warning: Neither BBA Enterprises Limited, nor the BBA LIBOR Contributor Banks, nor Reuters, can be held liable for any irregularity or inaccuracy of BBA LIBOR. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2012 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer The Dow Jones IndexesSM are proprietary to and distributed by Dow Jones & Company, Inc. and have been licensed for use. All content of the Dow Jones IndexesSM © 2012 is proprietary to Dow Jones & Company, Inc. Chicago Mercantile Association. The market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2012. All rights reserved. Most stock quote data provided by BATS.