Skype...Out? So, it seems Skype turned down something like $3bn from News Corp. Not their exit strategy then.

I hope they had a good reason or good faith in their future. With IM rivals becoming serious on transmitting more than text (like the new Yahoo!Messenger with voice - more here), it’s a bold bet, especially as it is a game Microsoft is already in.

But then, I haven’t done any research on the subject. My guesses:

  • Maybe the 42 million users are turning a nifty profit.
  • Maybe subscription figures are growing exponentially – hard to sell when this kind of figure is through the roof (the kind of problem I wish to have one day).
  • Maybe they think they are worth more than 72$ a user. I know that’s a GONE(c) (Good Old New Economy) way of putting a value on a company. Of course, at 500$ per user, they would be worth $21bn.
  • Then maybe, Niklas Zennström has a huge ambition for his company – he does look like Bill Gates.
  • Finally, maybe they didn’t like the idea of being bought by Murdoch. Not everyone is sharing his political views. Following MySpace acquisition by News Corps, users have been complaining among other issues about that new ownership.
SO, maybe I should read this piece when I have time (train to the coast on Thursday?) where Zennström is reported to have said “I don’t release any financials unless I have to”.

Amusing fact: Skype founders are 29 and 39. So are MySpace co-founders.