Yahoo Acquires Maven Networks for $160 Million

Yahoo (Nasdaq: YHOO) is announcing the acquisition of Maven Networks for $160 million today. Maven Networks is an online video platform provider with a video syndication, content management and advertising solution.

Yahoo notes regarding the acquisition, "Yahoo! already has the largest library of professionally produced legally licensed video content and has video advertising relationships with over 75% of the top TV advertisers."

Both Yahoo and Maven Networks target premium, professional content not the typical cat videos. This is the type of video advertising where the CPMs are the highest. 

From the press release, "Yahoo! intends to invest in the growth of Maven’s overall video business, continuing to provide premium publishers with both publishing and new advertising solutions. Yahoo! intends to expand on the Maven offering with video monetization services allowing publishers to take advantage of Yahoo!’s industry leading display sales force and advanced technologies for delivering consumers more relevant advertising experiences, both of which help them maximize their video advertising dollars."

Update: This was the deal that Mike mentioned on TechCrunch just before the Yahoo-Microsoft deal talk started. He has a look at the financing that Maven took prior to the acquisition today.