Comments on: Discovery Acquires How Stuff Works For $250 Million http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/ Startup and Tech News Fri, 16 May 2008 08:28:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: “How Stuff Works?” voor in de les? at Innovatie in ICT en Onderwijs http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1881313 “How Stuff Works?” voor in de les? at Innovatie in ICT en Onderwijs Fri, 28 Dec 2007 10:22:19 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1881313 [...] de site TechCrunch kwam ik een artikel tegen over de overname van de website How Stuff Works? voor 250 miljoen dollar door Discovery. De site ken ik al enige jaren, echter heb ik er lang niet naar gesurfed. Nieuwschierig naar de [...] […] de site TechCrunch kwam ik een artikel tegen over de overname van de website How Stuff Works? voor 250 miljoen dollar door Discovery. De site ken ik al enige jaren, echter heb ik er lang niet naar gesurfed. Nieuwschierig naar de […]

]]> By: HOW SHIT WORKS » Comment on Discovery Acquires <b>How Stuff Works</b> For $250 Million by <b>…</b> http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1805843 HOW SHIT WORKS » Comment on Discovery Acquires <b>How Stuff Works</b> For $250 Million by <b>…</b> Mon, 03 Dec 2007 06:00:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1805843 [...] Check This Out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today. Here’s a quick excerpt: Here’sa quick excerpt: How Stuff Works is a long standing provider of edutainment content on the web. The site was founded in 1998 by former North Carolina State University professor Marshall Brain, took venture capital at the height of … [...] […] Check This Out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today. Here’s a quick excerpt: Here’sa quick excerpt: How Stuff Works is a long standing provider of edutainment content on the web. The site was founded in 1998 by former North Carolina State University professor Marshall Brain, took venture capital at the height of … […]

]]> By: HOW SHIT WORKS » Discovery Acquires <b>How Stuff Works</b> For $250 Million http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1804514 HOW SHIT WORKS » Discovery Acquires <b>How Stuff Works</b> For $250 Million Sun, 02 Dec 2007 06:00:17 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1804514 [...] Check This Out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today. Here’s a quick excerpt: How Stuff Works is a long standing provider of edutainment content on the web. The site was founded in 1998 by former North Carolina State University professor Marshall Brain, took venture capital at the height of the first web boom in … [...] […] Check This Out! While looking through the blogosphere we stumbled on an interesting post today. Here’s a quick excerpt: How Stuff Works is a long standing provider of edutainment content on the web. The site was founded in 1998 by former North Carolina State University professor Marshall Brain, took venture capital at the height of the first web boom in … […]

]]> By: TeachStreet | Find Local Teachers. Learn New Things http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1680351 TeachStreet | Find Local Teachers. Learn New Things Wed, 17 Oct 2007 18:15:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1680351 [...] last week!) and LearnOutLoud, to name a few. (Update — another TechCrunch post referred to HowStuffWorks.com being acquired by Discovery — another example of great edutainment [...] […] last week!) and LearnOutLoud, to name a few. (Update — another TechCrunch post referred to HowStuffWorks.com being acquired by Discovery — another example of great edutainment […]

]]> By: petnos http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1678333 petnos Tue, 16 Oct 2007 16:56:24 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1678333 a good job i think...:) a good job i think…:)

]]> By: naysayer http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676766 naysayer Mon, 15 Oct 2007 21:43:02 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676766 This site doesn't have a tokbox girl so I don't know how they're getting to a $250MM valuation. This site doesn’t have a tokbox girl so I don’t know how they’re getting to a $250MM valuation.

]]> By: Steve Ballmer http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676690 Steve Ballmer Mon, 15 Oct 2007 20:30:37 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676690 Shhhhhhh! Duncan will hear you! One correction though, what I do is called education of the ignorant masses! You have been to my site, you must admit, you're better off for it! It even bolsters Techcrunch! Everybody wins! http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com Shhhhhhh!
Duncan will hear you!

One correction though, what I do is called education of the ignorant masses!
You have been to my site, you must admit, you’re better off for it!
It even bolsters Techcrunch!
Everybody wins!

http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com

]]> By: Jay http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676628 Jay Mon, 15 Oct 2007 19:29:28 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676628 Actually Fake Steve has an incredibly good marketing plan. Instead of buying advertising, he just comments on every story at a site which has his exact target audience. His comment is a small snippet of his content, and if people like it they will click his link. Ill admit it, I've been to his site. I bet we all have. Props to Steve, that is not a bad idea at all. Actually Fake Steve has an incredibly good marketing plan. Instead of buying advertising, he just comments on every story at a site which has his exact target audience. His comment is a small snippet of his content, and if people like it they will click his link.

Ill admit it, I’ve been to his site. I bet we all have. Props to Steve, that is not a bad idea at all.

]]> By: Yoavs http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676583 Yoavs Mon, 15 Oct 2007 18:41:55 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676583 Common People, read between the Lines... Discovery is running with an open check book so they will be in couple of years a leading Internet player regarding sustainable issues. HSW is an Eco-content website that helps you fix and maintain your stuff, add a big Hugg from the TreeHugers and here we have a Green web leader. Nice move, What's next on the list Discovery Guys? Common People, read between the Lines… Discovery is running with an open check book so they will be in couple of years a leading Internet player regarding sustainable issues.

HSW is an Eco-content website that helps you fix and maintain your stuff, add a big Hugg from the TreeHugers and here we have a Green web leader.

Nice move, What’s next on the list Discovery Guys?

]]> By: Yoavs http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676579 Yoavs Mon, 15 Oct 2007 18:40:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676579 Common People, read between the Lines... Discovery is running with an open check book so they will be in couple of years a leading Internet player regarding sustainable issues. HSW is an Eco-content website that helps you fix and maintain your stuff, add a big Hugg from the TreeHugers and here we have a Green web leader. Nice move again Discovery, What's next on the list Guys? Common People, read between the Lines… Discovery is running with an open check book so they will be in couple of years a leading Internet player regarding sustainable issues.

HSW is an Eco-content website that helps you fix and maintain your stuff, add a big Hugg from the TreeHugers and here we have a Green web leader.

Nice move again Discovery, What’s next on the list Guys?

]]> By: Steve Ballmer http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676540 Steve Ballmer Mon, 15 Oct 2007 18:04:05 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676540 I have a better idea, how about "why stuff does'nt work". I bet this would draw more traffic than the other! http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot. I have a better idea, how about “why stuff does’nt work”.
I bet this would draw more traffic than the other!

http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.

]]> By: =Jason http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676489 =Jason Mon, 15 Oct 2007 17:32:25 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676489 Go away Fake Steve, your comments are so annoying. Go away Fake Steve, your comments are so annoying.

]]> By: Dave C. http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676461 Dave C. Mon, 15 Oct 2007 17:06:00 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676461 A stretch. You need heavy scare quotes for that -- "video wikipedia" except without the wiki part or the people-powered part really. What's left? More accurate to say "video encyclopedia" or something. "Accurate" according to who's standards? It'll be instructive to see what types of content they end up letting through. Will this be a place for legitimate brand critique? Companies get their explanations wrong all the time. And treating people like "consumers" of information. Community strategies that favor safe and corporate-friendly over negotiated and user-trusting can be pretty tough. A stretch. You need heavy scare quotes for that — “video wikipedia” except without the wiki part or the people-powered part really. What’s left? More accurate to say “video encyclopedia” or something. “Accurate” according to who’s standards? It’ll be instructive to see what types of content they end up letting through. Will this be a place for legitimate brand critique? Companies get their explanations wrong all the time. And treating people like “consumers” of information. Community strategies that favor safe and corporate-friendly over negotiated and user-trusting can be pretty tough.

]]> By: Mark http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676434 Mark Mon, 15 Oct 2007 16:47:12 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676434 From the press release: "Contextually integrating engaging clips drawn from Discovery's vast video library of more than 100,000 hours of programming with the family-friendly and evergreen collection of expertly written articles on HowStuffWorks will ultimately deliver an accurate 'video wikipedia.' Information-seeking consumers will find a rich, multimedia experience to answer the world's questions, and our business partners will find new opportunities to reach targeted audiences of engaged consumers." http://www.howstuffworks.com/discovery-howstuffworks-announcement.htm From the press release:

“Contextually integrating engaging clips drawn from Discovery’s vast video library of more than 100,000 hours of programming with the family-friendly and evergreen collection of expertly written articles on HowStuffWorks will ultimately deliver an accurate ‘video wikipedia.’ Information-seeking consumers will find a rich, multimedia experience to answer the world’s questions, and our business partners will find new opportunities to reach targeted audiences of engaged consumers.”

http://www.howstuffworks.com/d.....cement.htm

]]> By: phenom http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676417 phenom Mon, 15 Oct 2007 16:37:28 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676417 That is cool, feels like they are made for each other. http://vidsonly.blogspot.com That is cool, feels like they are made for each other.

http://vidsonly.blogspot.com

]]> By: Ed http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676398 Ed Mon, 15 Oct 2007 16:24:34 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676398 Very little in common indeed, except from sharing knowledge about the world around us. HSW is indeed more text driven as someone said earlier in the comments, so maybe they will integrate some sort of text or word prompts into the video? Like interactive close captions, or the ads that are being integrated into videos? I don't know, maybe someone knowledgeable in this sort of stuff can explain this? Very little in common indeed, except from sharing knowledge about the world around us. HSW is indeed more text driven as someone said earlier in the comments, so maybe they will integrate some sort of text or word prompts into the video? Like interactive close captions, or the ads that are being integrated into videos? I don’t know, maybe someone knowledgeable in this sort of stuff can explain this?

]]> By: sputnick http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676359 sputnick Mon, 15 Oct 2007 15:33:58 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676359 I hate to be skeptical but, hefty dowry aside, this marriage doesn't sound like it's gonna last. The two parties have very little in common. I hate to be skeptical but, hefty dowry aside, this marriage doesn’t sound like it’s gonna last. The two parties have very little in common.

]]> By: Billy http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676335 Billy Mon, 15 Oct 2007 15:17:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676335 Congrats on Discovery's purchase. Well worth the price for all the content. Congrats on Discovery’s purchase. Well worth the price for all the content.

]]> By: Johnathan http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676326 Johnathan Mon, 15 Oct 2007 15:10:14 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676326 Great site! that will hopfully get even better. Great site! that will hopfully get even better.

]]> By: Steve Ballmer http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676307 Steve Ballmer Mon, 15 Oct 2007 14:51:42 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676307 Darn! I was thinking about getting that! Now the price is gonna go up.... http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com Darn!
I was thinking about getting that! Now the price is gonna go up….

http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com

]]> By: stone http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676283 stone Mon, 15 Oct 2007 14:24:51 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676283 This site became an obvious "adsense trap". This site became an obvious “adsense trap”.

]]> By: Dave C. http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676265 Dave C. Mon, 15 Oct 2007 14:07:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676265 A good day for Atlanta and for current HSW folks. I wish both parties well, and glad to see a company I used to work for get a payday. The writers and editorial staff past and present should be particularly proud. But the video angle is puzzling. A little bit of history: Before The Convex Group started to turn it into a megamart of loosely related page inventory (Mobil Travel Guide, Consumer Guide, evergreen tips and galleries), this site used to be known for its core mission: satisfying text-and-pictures explanations to interesting questions. Clear, simple explanation as entertainment. Then it became sort of a clearinghouse for all sorts of informational content with video as one of those sorts. They also ramped up a pretty interesting home-grown video initiative back then, but they haven't done much to build a community around that or really push it as a standalone alternative to their tried-and-true core article format. No embedding afaik, no concerted effort to build community to current social media standards. They are just now starting to accept video submissions, but the process <a href="http://media.howstuffworks.com/tools/login_faq.htm" rel="nofollow">seems to be geared towards institutions</a> really, not individuals, and it will be moderated with no explanation of exactly what the standards are beyond "safe" and "not advertising". It's not a platform that exists yet for comparison to the leaders. On the other hand, I imagine a big content brand like Discovery really liked how "safe" it will be. I don' t know if the numbers are accurate on traffic but it's perhaps ironic that Alexa says it peaked in 2005, in that that's when the push to integrate lots more peripheral but not really HowStuffWorksy content began and the focus started to blur. My hope is that Discovery turns the mission back towards what HSW was known for in its heyday, trims out the peripheral stuff and streamlines the site, and takes users seriously in terms of community development. A good day for Atlanta and for current HSW folks. I wish both parties well, and glad to see a company I used to work for get a payday. The writers and editorial staff past and present should be particularly proud.

But the video angle is puzzling. A little bit of history: Before The Convex Group started to turn it into a megamart of loosely related page inventory (Mobil Travel Guide, Consumer Guide, evergreen tips and galleries), this site used to be known for its core mission: satisfying text-and-pictures explanations to interesting questions. Clear, simple explanation as entertainment. Then it became sort of a clearinghouse for all sorts of informational content with video as one of those sorts. They also ramped up a pretty interesting home-grown video initiative back then, but they haven’t done much to build a community around that or really push it as a standalone alternative to their tried-and-true core article format. No embedding afaik, no concerted effort to build community to current social media standards. They are just now starting to accept video submissions, but the process seems to be geared towards institutions really, not individuals, and it will be moderated with no explanation of exactly what the standards are beyond “safe” and “not advertising”. It’s not a platform that exists yet for comparison to the leaders. On the other hand, I imagine a big content brand like Discovery really liked how “safe” it will be.

I don’ t know if the numbers are accurate on traffic but it’s perhaps ironic that Alexa says it peaked in 2005, in that that’s when the push to integrate lots more peripheral but not really HowStuffWorksy content began and the focus started to blur.

My hope is that Discovery turns the mission back towards what HSW was known for in its heyday, trims out the peripheral stuff and streamlines the site, and takes users seriously in terms of community development.

]]> By: Jason http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676260 Jason Mon, 15 Oct 2007 13:59:17 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676260 Whit, they say that they have 11 million uniques/month. This price in not out-of-line for an established site with traffic like this. There are not many of them left out there. Compete shows traffic growth in the last year (I'm ignoring Alexa, because I have personal knowledge of how inaccurate they can be, even for large sites). Whit, they say that they have 11 million uniques/month. This price in not out-of-line for an established site with traffic like this. There are not many of them left out there. Compete shows traffic growth in the last year (I’m ignoring Alexa, because I have personal knowledge of how inaccurate they can be, even for large sites).

]]> By: Sean http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676256 Sean Mon, 15 Oct 2007 13:51:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676256 HSW is a great site, agreed all around obviously, but $250M? I dunno about that. :) HSW is a great site, agreed all around obviously, but $250M? I dunno about that. :)

]]> By: Whit http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676198 Whit Mon, 15 Oct 2007 12:44:21 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/10/14/discovery-networks-acquires-how-stuff-works-for-250-million/#comment-1676198 There has to be more to this deal than just content integration. $250 mil is an steep price to pay for HSW.com. If the traffic numbers quoted are correct I don't see how a $50 mil valuation could be obtained. There has to be more to this deal than just content integration. $250 mil is an steep price to pay for HSW.com. If the traffic numbers quoted are correct I don’t see how a $50 mil valuation could be obtained.

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