Norwegian news publisher Schibsted is looking to make acquisitions in the online space, after recently seeing the web make up a quarter of its sales. The Aftenposten and Aftenbladet publisher already has Scandinavia’s largest online paper in Sweden’s Aftonbladet.se and claims to be Europe’s largest web classifieds operator following this year’s formation of Schibsted Classified Media (SCM).
Now it says it wants to cut print costs at Aftenposten and, seeing an opportunity to seek mainly online acquisitions, seeing a positive economy. Statement: “Online classifieds implies an attractive growth opportunity, and strong number one positions are highly profitable. Possible acquisitions will mainly be within online activities or activities that can create a foundation for developing online activities. Schibsted formed SCM following previous classifieds acquisitions in the space, but now “faster and more effective expansion of internet activitiy outside of Scandinavia is one of the main goals“.
Schibsted also has online rights for Norwegian football from 2009, is active in online search through its Sesam search sites and is getting in to mobile entertainment content, too.