MSNBC.com goes into the black
The news Web site says it's hit profitability for the first time since launching eight years ago.
MSNBC.com on Monday said it has reached profitability in the past quarter, for the first time since its inception nearly eight years ago. The news Web site did not disclose its profits, but said it had taken in $45 million in revenue over the past year--its highest level ever. It added that more than 70 companies spent $100,000 in advertising on the site over the course of the year.
MSNBC.com was launched in 1996 as part of a joint venture between Microsoft and General Electric's NBC. The software giant at that time made moves into online content to bolster its Internet businesses, such as its Internet Explorer Web browser and its MSN ISP. However, Microsoft has largely exited the content creation business and is focusing more on Web services.