• GigaOm et al., Tuesday, September 28, 2010 12:33 PM

Here's one breaking news story that TechCrunch isn't all over: The top tech blog is reportedly in deep acquisition talks with AOL.

"The deal is at a sensitive stage and might fall apart yet, but I don't think so," writes GigaOm's Om Malik blog. "Sources familiar with both entities says that the announcement is likely to come onstage at Disrupt, TechCrunch's flagship conference currently underway in San Francisco."

Confirming the talks with a "person familiar with the matter," The Wall Street Journal writes: "A deal would mark a high-profile marriage between the Internet giant and one of Silicon Valley's most high-profile blogs, which has often been discussed as a possible acquisition target."

"An acquisition by AOL would bring to an end TechCrunch's spiky independence," writes MediaBeat. "Founder Michael Arrington, a former lawyer, is known for stirring up Silicon Valley with his outspoken views on startups and technology investing."

"It would also be the latest in a series of alliances between content and Internet companies, which are seeking to draw more users and advertisers by pumping out inexpensive articles on popular topics like fashion, news and sports," The Journal adds.

Meanwhile, "The talks come at an interesting juncture for AOL, which has been working to rebuild its business of delivering original news and content," notes The Los Angeles Times.

"AOL ... is focusing more on content under CEO Tim Armstrong, a strategy that builds on previous acquisitions like Engadget publisher Weblogs," adds Gawker. "So a deal wouldn't be a surprise."

"AOL was previously reported to be in talks with Mashable, another rival tech blog, and to have had earlier discussions with TechCrunch," MediaBeat notes. "But TechCrunch is at a considerably more developed stage than at the last round of talks."

Read the whole story at GigaOm et al. »