Last week I ran down a list of potential acquisition targets for CBS Interactive. I ended up with the conclusion that only CNET would provide a strategic fit with enough leverage. Mind you, with his ability to peer into upcoming trends and opportunities, CBS’ President Quincy Smith is enamored with Web 2.0 (that’s not a knock) and CNET is certainly a tad too Web 1.0 for CBS’ liking.
So who else is out there? Well, how about health pioneer Web MD? Like CNET, the company commands a billion-plus valuation… but unlike CNET (who has been in a rut for ages) Web MD just reduced guidance and its stock got pummeled. continue reading...