NEWS: Bertelsmann to Part Company With Online Books and Music

Three news stories in the Financial Times outline the developing decision by Bertelsmann to end its operations in online publications.

Bertelsmann to drop online books and music By Tim Burt in London
Published: September 1 2002 21:03 | Last Updated: September 1 2002 21:03 http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/ FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1028186183680&p=1012571727248>

Bertelsmann, the privately owned German media group, is considering the outright sale or closure of its online books and music operations - the second largest in the world - in the latest phase of its restructuring.

Bertelsmann considers dropping online operations By Tim Burt in London
Published: September 2 2002 5:00 | Last Updated: September 2 2002 5:00
<http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/
FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1028186190500&p=1012571727248>

Under the plans, Bertelsmann is also expected to withhold further funding from Napster, the controversial online music business accused of flouting copyright rules.

Bertelsmann signals dramatic retreat from internet ambitions By Tim Burt, Media Editor
Published: September 2 2002 5:00 | Last Updated: September 2 2002 5:00
<http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=FT.com/StoryFT/
FullStory&c=StoryFT&cid=1028186189989&p=1012571727248>

The retreat from e-commerce is the biggest about-turn since Gunter Thielen, a veteran Bertelsmann director, became chairman and chief executive in July. Mr Thielen outlined plans to devolve decision-making to divisions such as DirectGroup, which accounts for 15 per cent of global sales.

The full stories may be read at the URLs above.

Sincerely,
David Dillard
Temple University
(215) 204 - 4584
jwne[_at_]astro.temple.edu Received on Mon Sep 02 2002 - 13:46:38 GMT