Tiffany Network (aka CBS) wants Wallstrip
CBS, once the tiffany network, is rumored to be in the process of acquiring Wallstrip, the online video show about Wall Street, reports the Jossip blog. We contacted Howard Lindzon, the founder of Wallstrip, and he declined to comment. A senior CBS official we contacted also declined comment on the news of the pending deal.
Lindsay Campbell, the Wallstrip presenter, is said to be the reason why CBS is willing to spend $5 million buying out the show, which has received over $500,000 in funding from amongst others Fred Wilson, a New York-based venture capitalist.
An announcement is expected early this week, perhaps Monday. Part of the deal involves Campbell being the next Amanda Congdon: frontin’ for CBS’ web initiatives. [Jossip]
One of the reasons why Wallstrip has become popular is because the show takes a pop-culture approach to stocks and money. In a previous interview with NewTeeVee, Campbell told us,
“The catalyst is what our show is based on, the pop-culture catalyst of the stock,…For Nike, it’s limited edition shoes; for Sigma Designs, set-top boxes. There’s always a hook that makes it pop culture. The sillier the better.”
Also note this piece from Monday’s Wall Street Journal on CBS’ efforts to get the ‘net.
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Feeling the lack of a Howard comment left at the bottom of this story. He’s usually so dependable.
Liz Gannes on May 13th, 2007 at 11:51 pm - Permalink
[...] rumored to be in talks to buy Wallstrip, a popular online video show about Wall Street, for a cool $5 million. Since YouTube already shares revenue with CBS, expect the show to retain its YouTube audience [...]
CBS to Buy Wallstrip for $5 Million? on May 14th, 2007 at 4:09 am - Permalink
Hi Liz - feel better :)
howard Lindzon on May 14th, 2007 at 6:29 am - Permalink
This is awesome! Whether or not the deal goes through, just the notion that a show could go for that much cash is sure to spawn more investment, interest, and higher quality programming for the web. And did you catch Lindsay on the Soprano’s last night? That English 101 class looked riveting!
Josh on May 14th, 2007 at 7:40 am - Permalink
Yes, i think this show needs wider distribution. I am hooked and will remain hooked. I hope they keep Howard involved. He is totally crazy in an Om-sort of a way, which is why I think the show rocks ;-)
Om Malik on May 14th, 2007 at 8:44 am - Permalink
Hey great news Howard and team. You give hope to us little guys, fighting in the trenches.
Taylor Moore on May 18th, 2007 at 9:15 am - Permalink
[...] of the three rumored deals - CBS-WallStrip, Bebo-Yahoo or Google-Feedburner - will come true? Take the poll. If you think two out of three are [...]
GigaOM » Bebo, Wall Strip, Feedburner - who is getting bought out? on May 20th, 2007 at 11:00 pm - Permalink
[...] CBS and Wallstrip confirmed the deal, which was rumored last week, had been completed on Monday, though they said the reported price of $5 million was not [...]
NewTeeVee » CBS Does Indeed Scoop Up Wallstrip on May 21st, 2007 at 11:38 pm - Permalink