3rd UPDATE: Google To Buy Video Firm On2 For $106.5 Million
August 05 2009 - 1:26PM
Dow Jones News
Google Inc. (GOOG) agreed to acquire On2 Technologies Inc. (ONT)
for $106.5 million in stock as the Internet-search company looks to
buttress its video operations.
Separately, Google sold its orphaned radio ad placement
technology to WideOrbit Inc., a small San Francisco company that
makes software for the broadcast TV and radio industry. Financial
details were not provided, but WideOrbit said it will inherit 3,600
Google customers.
The sale is the final chapter in Google's failed attempt to sell
radio ads through an automated online system. Google earlier this
year said it would exit the radio business in May as part of its
ongoing effort to cut costs and shed underperforming
businesses.
The assets were acquired thorough Google's $102 million deal for
dMarc Broadcasting Inc. announced in January 2006.
Google shares recently fell about 1% to $449.45.
As for On2, the Clifton Park, N.Y., company makes
video-compression technology, which allows for the quick transfer
of large video files across the Web. The technology represents a
key asset as online-video viewership continues to surge.
Google has one of the most-visited video sites - YouTube. In
addition, On2 has software that helps make high-definition video
playback possible on mobile devices.
On2's clients include Adobe Systems Inc. (ADBE), Nokia Corp.
(NOK) and Infineon Technologies AG (IFNNY).
Google will likely be able to place On2's software into the
infrastructure of YouTube to improve the user experience, said
Andrew Frank, an analyst with research firm Gartner. The technology
could also make its way into Google's Android mobile operating
system and its Chrome operating system for PCs.
Owning an important piece of Web infrastructure such as video
compression gives Google more leverage in keeping the channels
through which video and other Web content flow to users
unrestricted.
"By owning the infrastructure, Google kind of keeps the road
open to a day when Internet distribution of video is ubiquitous
across all platforms," said Frank. "Google has a long-term interest
in making sure that the future of video distribution across any
platform is open."
In a blog post, Google said it was not in a position to discuss
specific product plans until after the deal closes.
Each share of On2 will be converted into 60 cents in Google
stock. On2 shares closed Tuesday at 38 cents and the stock's
52-week high is 65 cents a share.
On2 shares surged nearly 50% to 58 cents recently, after the
deal was announced Wednesday. The deal is set to close in the
fourth quarter.
On2, set to release its second-quarter results Thursday, in May
reported first-quarter revenue dropped 10% to $4 million as the
company's loss narrowed. The company has been cutting costs to save
cash, which as of March 31 totaled $3.2 million, down 24% from a
year earlier.
-By Jerry DiColo, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-2155;
jerry.dicolo@dowjones.com
(Scott Morrison contributed to this report.)