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Washington Post Buys Slate Online Magazine
Associated Press ^ | Dec 21, 2004 | Anon

Posted on 12/21/2004 9:39:11 AM PST by Pharmboy

WASHINGTON (AP) - Microsoft Corp. sold its popular Slate online magazine Tuesday to The Washington Post Co., a move that makes Slate's political commentary and quirky feature articles more broadly available across the Internet. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Microsoft has said Slate, with roughly 6 million readers monthly, breaks even financially but has sought a buyer since the summer. Under the sales agreement, content from Slate will continue to be available on Microsoft's MSN Web site.

The Post, which has increasingly sought unique content for its Web site distinct from its newspaper articles, said it planned no editorial changes at Slate. Jacob Weisberg will remain editor, and Slate will continue to operate offices in New York and Washington.

"Microsoft has been a wonderful home for us since 1996," Weisberg said in a statement. "It's clear, though, that The Washington Post Company is the best place for Slate to grow and develop."

The Post said it will operate Slate as part of the same business subsidiary, Washington Post Newsweek Interactive, that runs its popular Washingtonpost.com and Newsweek.com Web sites.

In trading Tuesday morning, Washington Post shares rose $8.94, or just under 1 percent, to $942. The stock has traded in a 52-week range of $770.00 to $998.75.

AP-ES-12-21-04 1201EST


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: albatross; bushhassers; liberalmedia; mainstreammedia; microsoft; msn; propaganda; slate; wapo; washingtonpost; website; wp; zogbyism
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They're eating their own. Good--Slate will now become to the right of Lenin
1 posted on 12/21/2004 9:39:12 AM PST by Pharmboy
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To: Pharmboy
Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Post was probably the one paid to take it off their hands.

2 posted on 12/21/2004 9:41:37 AM PST by Semper Paratus
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To: Pharmboy

I actually like Slate. They have some good columnists, and of course some not so good columnists.

They ususally have a slightly different take on the news aside from the other media lapdogs. Whether I agree with it or not.


3 posted on 12/21/2004 9:42:28 AM PST by jmcclain19 (More from me at http://www.offcenter.us)
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To: Pharmboy

Gates' wife is on the Wash Post Bd. of Directors. Fails sniff-test.


4 posted on 12/21/2004 9:42:33 AM PST by NativeNewYorker (Don't blame me. I voted for Sharpton.)
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To: weegee

Interesting development...


5 posted on 12/21/2004 9:44:57 AM PST by MizSterious (First, the journalists, THEN the lawyers.)
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To: jmcclain19

Hard for me to like them with the heritage of Kinsley and Conason. And they have Doonesbury...I did like Camille Paglia, though.


6 posted on 12/21/2004 9:48:10 AM PST by Pharmboy (Listen...you can still hear the old media sobbing.)
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To: NativeNewYorker
Gates' wife is on the Wash Post Bd. of Directors. Fails sniff-test.

Yep. They're all inbred.

7 posted on 12/21/2004 9:49:44 AM PST by Dr. Eckleburg (There are very few shades of gray.)
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To: NativeNewYorker

You always know these inside media facts...are you Pinch Sulzberger undercover??


8 posted on 12/21/2004 9:55:38 AM PST by Pharmboy (Listen...you can still hear the old media sobbing.)
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To: Pharmboy
...I did like Camille Paglia, though.

Conason and Paglia are/were on Salon.com, I think. Kinsley is Slate.
9 posted on 12/21/2004 9:57:14 AM PST by Egregious Philbin
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To: Pharmboy

Slate: from dishrag to toilet paper. What a bright future.


10 posted on 12/21/2004 9:57:44 AM PST by 7.62 x 51mm (• veni • vidi • vino • visa • "I came, I saw, I drank wine, I shopped")
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To: Dr. Eckleburg
I agree with that, but I like this move.
A software company should not be an active organ of a political party. I'm an MS guy for quite a while, but have been looking at going elsewhere for software since my developer $$s are helping to pay for MSNBC and Slate etc. Mr Gates, I already use OpenOffice, don't make me move to other products.
The other upside is that elWaPo is admitting in public they are a liberal piece of something.
11 posted on 12/21/2004 10:01:31 AM PST by ProudVet77 (Beer - It's not just for breakfast anymore.)
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To: Pharmboy
I did like Camille Paglia, though

Yes. A rare breed. A true liberal that thinks and is as rational as you can be and still be liberal. She is an interesting gal.

12 posted on 12/21/2004 10:04:03 AM PST by InterceptPoint
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To: Egregious Philbin; jmcclain19

Ouch! You are correct and I was confused. Yes--Salon. Thanks for the keerection...


13 posted on 12/21/2004 10:06:25 AM PST by Pharmboy (Listen...you can still hear the old media sobbing.)
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Comment #14 Removed by Moderator

To: jmcclain19
They ususally have a slightly different take on the news aside from the other media lapdogs. Whether I agree with it or not.

"Slate" as a brand seems likely lose whatever remaining strength it had as an alternative. I suspect that WaPo ownership will draw Slate.com into the MSM mindset fairly quickly.

15 posted on 12/21/2004 10:13:03 AM PST by macbee ("Never interrupt your enemy when he is making a mistake." - Napoleon Bonaparte)
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To: Pharmboy

Meant to say that I liked Paglia too, no matter which site she was on. I think she left that gig of her own accord too - not sure why.


16 posted on 12/21/2004 10:21:23 AM PST by Egregious Philbin
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To: Pharmboy; Timesink; martin_fierro; reformed_democrat; Loyalist; =Intervention=; PianoMan; GOPJ; ...

Media Schadenfreude and Media Shenanigans PING


17 posted on 12/21/2004 10:27:05 AM PST by weegee (WE FOUGHT ZOGBYISM November 2, 2004 - 60 Million Voters versus 60 Minutes - BUSH WINS!!!)
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To: Pharmboy
Why would Washington Post want this site? It has been a loser since it's conception. I wonder how long Gates is going to endure MSNBC? It's ratings are horrible although I do watch Hardball some. Matthews is good on some things, but he is so anti-Bush and Iraq that it's hard to find the good stuff.
18 posted on 12/21/2004 10:36:56 AM PST by Nosterrex
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To: Pharmboy
"popular"?

Yeah. Right.

19 posted on 12/21/2004 10:37:26 AM PST by mhking
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To: weegee

The over valued and over rated Washington Post company consumes another over valued and over rated company.


20 posted on 12/21/2004 10:39:19 AM PST by Grampa Dave (Rummy Phobia is the new mental disorder of the left. It is similiar to Hate GW Syndrome!)
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