NewsCorp to buy Intermix for $776 million

Filed in archive Venture Capital on July 19, 2005

Interesting move from Rupert Murdoch's News Corp - the company has agreed to buy Intermix owner of several interactive site reaching more than 27 million US unique visitors* every month. The most public asset is without doubt Myspace.com the star in the portfolio.

"The move comes just three days after News set up a separate division to house its internet assets under the banner of Fox Interactive Media in a sign the company is finally taking the web seriously.

News expects to triple its web traffic with the acquisition of Intermix, vaulting it into the net's five most visited sites from its current ranking in the 40s, company president Peter Chernin told the Los Angeles Times.

Intermix reported revenues of $US24.1 million and a net loss of $US409,000 for the June quarter. It is forecast to report a full-year net-profit of $8.2 million, based on company guidance.

But those forecasts do not include the impact of Intermix agreeing to buy the 47 per cent of MySpace.com as part of the deal with News."

A multiple of 7 for a very diverse media company is pretty good. Also great story for Intermix's investors (VantagePoint and Anthem Venture Partners) who have helped nurture the company from 0 in 1995 to this very presentable exit value.