CNN makes buyout of Zite official, keeps it separate
updated 03:00 pm EDT, Tue August 30, 2011
CNN buys Zite in tablet drive
CNN on Tuesday confirmed rumors that it had bought Zite. The deal gives it control of the iPad news curation app (free, App Store). Zite will continue to run as a separate entity under CNN's wing but will get both the added reach and "advance the industry in a meaningful way," CNN's digital manager KC Estenson said.
Terms if the deal weren't given out, though rumors have had the takeover of the young startup worth $20 million.
The acquisition escalates a mounting battle among news and magazine tablet apps, primarily on the iPad. Flipboard is generally seen as the front runner but has also seen competition from Pulse and others. Curated reading is considered one of the hottest categories for apps on the iPad outside of games.
