News Corp buys remaining 49% stake of Jamba from Verisign

Written on 7th October 2008                                                                                                              COMMENT
Robin Wauters, Next web enthusiast & Plugg organizer

Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp has taken full ownership of mobile content provider Jamba by buying VeriSign’s 49 percent stake for about $200 million. VeriSign has been trying to divest its slower-growing businesses to focus on its core website-naming and Internet security services.

Jamba was founded in Berlin in 2000 by the Samwer brothers (that’s right, those guys who invested in Facebook) and is still based in the German city next to having established its US headquarters in California. In late 2004, VeriSign bought Jamba for about $270 million. On 12 September 2006, News Corporation announced it paid approximately $188 million for 51% shares in Jamba and would combine it with Fox Mobile Entertainment assets.

The company makes content like wallpapers, ringtones and games for mobile phones. It also offers short episodes — called “mobisodes” — of some Fox TV series, including “24,” “Prison Break” and “Bones,” for phones. The company also sells insurance for mobile phones and home electronics and runs online gaming and online dating services.

(Hat tip to SAI)