Hi.
According to several friends of mine on the 'net, AOL and MSN are seriously thinking about converging their internet businesses when/if Time Warner and AOL do indeed split, or Time Warner severs AOL and puts AOL on the auction block. Besides the most obvious boon to the .Net initiative and the near doubling the number of users, this could mean a lot of new and exclusive content and technologies for both parties. AOL users get Windows Media and affiliates, cheaper access to Comcast Cable broadband, a wealth of advances in terms of browsers and access to Microsoft's expansive servers and other services. MSN users get possibly 'merged' instant messenger service, nearly tripling the current number, exclusive AOL content, access to the many services AOL offers and better security. This also means, however, that Microsoft may be forced to sell off certain parts of AOL's business, like Netscape and WinAmp, or be faced with Monopoly suits. This is a huge thing but I'm wondering if this will turn into a bit of a financial fiasco to Microsoft.
So I came in here to ask you all a few questions. How much does AOL and MSN (Microsoft's home and entertainment) make in income and lose in expenses every year? Does anyone know and could someone help me look up the figures?
According to several friends of mine on the 'net, AOL and MSN are seriously thinking about converging their internet businesses when/if Time Warner and AOL do indeed split, or Time Warner severs AOL and puts AOL on the auction block. Besides the most obvious boon to the .Net initiative and the near doubling the number of users, this could mean a lot of new and exclusive content and technologies for both parties. AOL users get Windows Media and affiliates, cheaper access to Comcast Cable broadband, a wealth of advances in terms of browsers and access to Microsoft's expansive servers and other services. MSN users get possibly 'merged' instant messenger service, nearly tripling the current number, exclusive AOL content, access to the many services AOL offers and better security. This also means, however, that Microsoft may be forced to sell off certain parts of AOL's business, like Netscape and WinAmp, or be faced with Monopoly suits. This is a huge thing but I'm wondering if this will turn into a bit of a financial fiasco to Microsoft.
So I came in here to ask you all a few questions. How much does AOL and MSN (Microsoft's home and entertainment) make in income and lose in expenses every year? Does anyone know and could someone help me look up the figures?