CNET Sold to Ziff Davis in Sign of Possible Media Deals to Come

CNET, an online tech coverage platform, is being acquired by Ziff Davis, a digital media company that owns other technology-focused brands. The deal, valued at over $100 million, will see Ziff Davis buying CNET from Red Ventures. The acquisition is part of Ziff Davis’s strategy to acquire digital media businesses using its substantial cash reserves. The company’s CEO, Vivek Shah, predicts more deals in the industry as tech giants expand their share of ad spending and AI advancements disrupt the digital media landscape. CNET, which attracted 38 million visitors in June, has had multiple owners since it was founded. The platform faced some challenges, including publishing articles produced with AI assistance, leading to the refinement of publishing guidelines, and content creators unionizing over AI-related concerns. Ziff Davis’s purchase of CNET is expected to increase its profits by leveraging CNET’s brand recognition and sizable audience for advertising purposes. The platform provides product reviews and recommendations, sometimes earning commissions from reader purchases.