Did Yahoo Buy Bebo for $1 Billion?

Wednesday, February 13th, 2008 by Andy Beal

Did Yahoo Buy Bebo for $1 Billion?

TechCrunch is reporting rumors–for the umpteenth time–that social network Bebo has been acquired for $1 billion. While TC’s betting on Google, it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest to see Yahoo as the buyer.

Yahoo desperately needs to reinvent itself–which likely means ditching its search aspirations and focusing on its huge network of users. At this time, nothing would be a better shot in the arm than to emerge as a huge social network–something it can do with an acquisition of Bebo.

It would also give current investors an alternative path to consider alongside the option of simply hosting a fire sale. It would also make any hostile takeover bid by Microsoft a lot tougher to achieve.

OK, so the odds favor a Google acquisition. But when you consider Yahoo’s desperation here, the popularity of Bebo, and the fact that Yahoo only recently signed an exclusive advertising deal with Bebo, it might be worth a little wager.

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9 comments on “Did Yahoo Buy Bebo for $1 Billion?”

Corey Hammond Says:

February 13th, 2008 at 10:59 am

It will be interesting to see who bought them. Like you said, Yahoo is desperate now with Microsoft at their doorstep. I’m not a terrible fan of Orkut so it would be nice to see Google with a better social network to play with.
Steve Elliott Says:

February 14th, 2008 at 8:28 am

It is amazing to think that someone can sit in front of their pc, come up with what is (in hindsight!) a relatively straight forward idea….then watch that turn into $1 billion.

Mind blowing !
Andy Beal Says:

February 14th, 2008 at 8:47 am

@Steve – yeah, it drives me crazy every time I see an idea that I could have easily come up with. I feel your pain.
Steven Bradley Says:

February 14th, 2008 at 1:25 pm

The best ideas always seem obvious in hindsight.

I’ve been advocating for a long time that Yahoo needs to do more with it’s social sites. Assuming they are indeed the purchasers of Bebo maybe it’s a step in that direction.
Alexis Says:

February 15th, 2008 at 9:57 pm

I’ve heard Bebo is dominating in the far east.
nOna Says:

February 24th, 2008 at 10:06 pm

why is bebo blocked in schools??
plz tell us some urls we need our bebos
sumone hlp meee plz !

<3 2 ya !
February 14, 2008 | TechTV Update Says:

April 5th, 2008 at 1:14 am

[...] what Bebo is said to have sold for. But who’s the buyer? Google’s a obvious idea. The longshot is Yahoo. Coming soon (if you consider September 7th to be soon) – Will Wright’s next game [...]
Jeff Says:

May 6th, 2008 at 8:50 am

Is this for real?? For $1 billion dollars?

Yahoo has lost their mind… Or maybe I am just missing the boat on this whole social networking craze.

Jeff’s last blog post..angel paintball
Shawn Says:

August 4th, 2008 at 12:22 pm

Kind of remindes of the cold war with the USA and USSR. (google and ms)

Shawn’s last blog post..Cheap Paintball Guns

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