CBS Gains Full Ownership Of TV Guide Digital

TV-guideCBS Corp. has acquired full ownership of TV Guide Digital, including TVGuide.com and all TV Guide Mobile apps, it announced on Friday.

In March, CBS and Lionsgate each acquired a 50% stake in TV Guide Digital from One Equity Partners for a reported $100 million. CBS was drawn to data showing that the majority of TVGuide.com’s audience -- as well as that of its apps -- are under the age of 35.

Explaining CBS’ thinking behind the deal, Jim Lanzone, president of CBS Interactive, described TV Guide as “one of the most enduring and iconic brands in the world of television and video.”

Under the direction of Lanzone, TVGuide.com and the TV Guide Mobile apps will now be folded into CBS Interactive’s Technology, Games and Lifestyle group, which already includes TV.com, CNET, GameSpot, Last.fm, MetroLyrics and Metacritic.

Boasting six consecutive years of double-digit growth, TVGuide.com presently attracts over 16.5 million monthly unique visitors, according to CBS, citing Omniture data.

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TV Guide Mobile apps have been downloaded more than 9 million times and are now responsible for more than 2.5 million average monthly visitors.

From CBS.com to CBSSports.com, CBS Interactive says roughly 270 million consumers visit its various properties on a monthly basis.

Earlier this year, DirecTV made an unsuccessful attempt to buy TVGuide.com, according to unconfirmed reports. 

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