Hulu’s Employee Owners Are Just Employees Again, Which Means Some May Be Ex-Employees Soon

The video site used to be a Big Media-backed start-up. Now, it’s simply a Big Media company — which means some folks are probably headed out the door.

Voices

News Corp. Nears Deal For YES Stake

News Corp. is closing in on a deal to buy a minority stake in New York regional sports network YES, according to three people with knowledge of the negotiations.

Peter Chernin Rounds Up Another $100 Million, This Time From Qatar

The money goes into the former News Corp. exec’s war chest, which is full of funds from Providence Equity.

News Byte

Providence Equity Sells Hulu Stake

Providence Equity Partners has closed a deal to sell its stake in Hulu, according to a source familiar with the transaction. The sale, first reported by TechCrunch, has been in the works since April, and also triggers a “liquidity event” for the Web video site’s employee shareholders, including CEO Jason Kilar. Hulu’s others owners are Comcast, Disney, and News Corp., which also owns this Web site.

Hulu Keeps Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert for Two More Years, Adds SpongeBob

Jason Kilar is still at Hulu, and still spending money on content.

News Byte

Celebrity Shopping Service OpenSky Hires Merchandising Exec

OpenSky, the e-commerce company that lets users “follow” celebrities using a Twitter-like system, has hired its first chief merchandising officer. Simon Black joins the New York-based start-up after running merchandising at Eddie Bauer and HSN. OpenSky has raised $49 million from investors including Providence Equity and Highland Capital.

Yahoo Intensifies Search for CEO (With Hulu’s Kilar as One Dream Unicorn Candidate)

Wanted, one magical exec to work miracles against increasingly troublesome dragons. Ability to sparkle a plus.

Yahoo Stock Gets Gaslit by Bidders Dangling Phantom $20-a-Share Bid

There is no $20 bid for Yahoo today. So why was it suddenly news? Time to blame Wall Street again.

Ex-Yahoos Getting Downloaded by PE Firms and Others on Possible Deals

Former employees are good for something, apparently!

Exclusive: Silver Lake Finally Signs Yahoo NDA, as Talks Proceed With Bidders

Aggressive private equity firm signs on the secret dotted line it said it would not. Of course.

Hulu’s Owners Call Off Sale