Comcast, Google eye AOL

[DBlack]

Comcast and Google are licking their chops together discussing a possible collective interest in AOL. If this ever happens, Google will be one step closer in taking it to Microsoft, and maybe even AOL will become a respectable product.


The potential deal could derail separate talks that have been reported between AOL and Microsoft Corp., which is believed to be interested in an alliance between AOL and Microsoft's MSN, another major Internet portal.

Any deal between AOL and MSN could threaten Google, since AOL is major contributor to Google's thriving Internet ad business, accounting for 11 percent of Google's $2.6 billion (euro2.2 billion) in revenue during the first half of this year.

AOL was long considered a drag on Time Warner due to the rapid exodus of its core dial-up Internet users, but recently AOL has been revamping its business model, opening up its content to all Internet users in order to tap into the booming market for Internet advertising.


Takeover on the horizon?