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    Univision unloads Gizmodo, The Onion to private equity firm

    By SHOOTUpdated:No Comments2048 Views
    In this June 14, 2006, file photo a journalist holds a microphone bearing the Univision logo in Los Angeles. Univision is selling Gizmodo, The Onion and other English-language sites to the private equity firm Great Hill Partners. Terms were not disclosed. The Spanish-language broadcaster bought much of what was then known as Gawker Media for $135 million in 2016 after the gossipy, confrontational media company lost a privacy suit against Hulk Hogan.(AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

    By Tali Arbel, Business Writer

    NEW YORK (AP) --

    Univision has sold tech site Gizmodo, satirical-news hub The Onion and other English-language sites to the private equity firm Great Hill Partners. Terms were not disclosed.

    The Spanish-language broadcaster bought much of what was then known as Gawker Media for $135 million in 2016 after the gossipy, confrontational media company lost a privacy suit against Hulk Hogan. (The original Gawker.com has a different owner. It is being relaunched by another digital media company, Bustle.)

    Just a few years ago, Univision was investing in English-language digital sites aimed at young people. It had bought The Onion in January 2016 and African-American news site The Root in 2015.

    But the strategy didn't turn out well. The sites were not profitable and the company has refocused on Spanish TV. Univision, based in New York, put them up for sale last summer.

    Several digital-media companies have recently run into trouble. For example, BuzzFeed laid off workers to help it become profitable, while Mic sold itself to Bustle after firing most of its employees. The online-ad business is dominated by tech giants Google and Facebook. Amazon is also encroaching on that space.

    Great Hill said Monday that it's calling its new media company "G/O Media." The collection of sites also includes the female-focused Jezebel, sports site Deadspin and pop-culture site "A.V. Club." James Spanfeller, a digital-media veteran who is the former Forbes.com CEO, will lead the company and is also a "significant" investor in it.

    Great Hill has previously invested in media companies, including Ziff Davis, the publisher of PCMag.com, which it sold in 2012.

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    Tags:GizmodoGreat Hill PartnersThe OnionUnivision



    Conan O’Brien to return as Oscars host in 2027

    Tuesday, May 12, 2026
    Host Conan O'Brien appears during the Oscars in Los Angeles on March 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)

    Conan O'Brien's era as Oscars host is becoming a trilogy. The Emmy-winner and comedian will be back to host the 99th Academy Awards in 2027, film academy leaders said Tuesday.

    O'Brien hosted the last two Oscar ceremonies to positive reviews. Earlier this year, in his opening monologue, he said he was "honored to be the last human host of the Academy Awards … Next year it's going to be a Waymo in a tux."

    He'll be surrounded by a familiar team, as well, with the return of Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan as the show's executive producers.

    Film academy leaders Bill Kramer and Lynette Howell Taylor said in a joint statement, "They are an incredible team and have produced such captivating, entertaining and heartfelt shows over the last two years," adding that they're looking forward to "Conan superbly leading the celebration with his brilliance and humor."

    After several years of ratings increases, including a post-pandemic high of 19.7 million viewers who tuned in for O'Brien's inaugural year as host, when "Anora" swept the awards, the show took a dip in viewership this year, when "One Battle After Another" was crowned best picture. Engagement for the Oscars rose by other metrics, though. Social media engagement during the broadcast went up by over 42% this year.

    "Conan has created remarkable energy around 'The Oscars,'" Craig Erwich, the president of Disney's Television Group, said in a statement. "His singular comedic voice makes Hollywood's biggest night one of the most entertaining celebrations of the year. We're proud to welcome him back and look forward to what he and the producing team deliver next."

    The 99th Oscars will be broadcast live on ABC from the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 14, 2027. It will be the... Read More

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