AOL plans to buy TechCrunch blogAOL Inc. has reached an agreement to acquire popular technology news blog TechCrunch for an undisclosed sum.
It was the second significant acquisition announced Tuesday by AOL, which also struck a deal to buy video distribution service 5min Media for an undisclosed sum.
TechCrunch, which operates a network of Web sites and hosts several events and conferences, will become part of AOL’s Technology Network. It will retain editorial independence and remain based in San Francisco, AOL said.
CEOs grow more pessimistic
Chief executives have lower expectations about a company’s business and size of its work force than they did three months ago, but more plan to increase capital spending.
The findings are part of a quarterly CEO survey by the Washington-based Business Roundtable.
Among findings, 66 percent of chief executives polled expect sales to increase in the next six months, down from 79 percent in the group’s second-quarter survey. Just 31 percent expect their company’s work force to increase in the next six months, down from 39 percent last quarter.
Discovery’s ‘Hub’ kids channel to debut
Discovery Communications Inc. and Hasbro Inc.’s joint venture cable channel for children is set to debut Oct. 10.
Called “The Hub,” the channel replaces Discovery’s current Discovery Kids Network.
Hasbro, the nation’s second-largest toy maker, closed on a deal to buy a 50 percent stake in the joint venture in May 2009 for $300 million. The new network will feature programming and online content built around Hasbro’s games, characters and toys, as well as other programming produced by companies like BBC Worldwide Ltd. and American Greetings Properties.
Discovery says “The Hub” will debut Oct. 10 at 10 a.m. with a sneak peak of its programming. The channel’s regular program schedule begins Oct. 11.
Versar wins Bay contract
Versar won a $5 million, three-year contract from the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration to support the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Chesapeake Bay office.
Under terms of the contract, the Springfield company will assist with habitat surveys and assessments, ecosystem restoration and educational outreach.
