"The Washington Post Co. announced Tuesday that it has agreed to purchase online magazine Slate from Microsoft. In a deal that had been rumored since at least mid-November, the Post will take Slate off Microsoft's hands for an unspecified amount of money. The online magazine, which produces original editorial content on popular topics such as politics, has been controlled by the software giant since Slate first began publishing in 1996. According to Nielsen Net/Ratings, the magazine had 6 million unique users in November 2004," reports CNet.
"In a letter to Slate's readers, [the editor, Jacob Weisberg] promised that the acquisition would not result in major changes to the publication. He said all of the magazine's senior editorial staff and writers will remain. He also thanked Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates for keeping the publication afloat even when its business prospects were not entirely promising."
