Longtime technology news and review site Gizmodo has been sold again, marking the third ownership change in the past eight years. This time, the popular digital publication was acquired by European publisher Keleops, based in Switzerland, as part of their strategy to expand their digital coverage. The exact amount Keleops paid for Gizmodo was not disclosed in their announcement of the deal.
Previously, Gizmodo was part of a $135 million deal in 2016 when Univision Communications acquired its former owner, Gawker Media, after the company faced bankruptcy following a legal battle with Hulk Hogan. Subsequently, Univision sold Gizmodo and another publication to Boston investment firm Great Hill Partners in 2019. Reports suggest that Gizmodo was sold for a significantly higher price in this current deal compared to the previous sale to Univision, although specific figures were not provided by G/O Media CEO Jim Spanfeller.
With the acquisition of Gizmodo, Keleops aims to leverage the brand’s reputation and decades-long expertise in technology reporting to enhance their digital offerings. The new owner plans to combine their digital know-how with Gizmodo’s editorial excellence to benefit both audiences and partners. The sale of Gizmodo also comes amid other changes in the digital media landscape, such as the recent sale of The Onion to tech executive Jeff Lawson, demonstrating a shift in ownership dynamics within the industry.
