Sony Pictures aquired the Youtube-like video sharing service “grouper”. CEO Michael Lynton announced this deal earlier today, and said Sony is paying $65 million dollar for the internet startup.
For now Grouper will keep its current management, but they will be working closely with a team at Sony Pictures. Lynton stated:
“Consumers are spending more and more time on sites like Grouper, and as one of the world’s largest creators of entertainment, we want to be where the audiences are. This acquisition demonstrates the breadth of involvement of Sony Corporation in the field of digital online entertainment. Many people in the Grouper community use Sony cameras to create videos and Sony VAIO computers and mobile devices to store and view them. It makes sense to complete the circle by having Grouper be a part of Sony Pictures Entertainment, which itself creates so much content for people around the world.”
There are no concrete plans to offer Sony Pictures on Grouper at this point (rather the opposite), but this might change in the future. At least Sony now has a foot-in-the-door at this 21st century media outlet.
