Disney Purchases Starwave

Posted on May 1, 1998

The Walt Disney Company has exercised its option to purchase Paul G. Allen's remaining interest in Starwave Corp., it was announced Thursday by Disney chairman and chief executive officer Michael Eisner. Disney made an initial strategic investment in Seattle-based Starwave, a leading Internet company, in April 1997, and formed two joint-ventures to produce ABCNews.com and ESPN SportsZone.

As part of Buena Vista Internet Group, the Starwave team will continue to support the ABCNEWS.com and ESPN SportsZone sites, as well as Mr. Showbiz, CelebSite, Wall of Sound and the official Web sites for the NFL, NBA, NASCAR Online, WNBA and Outside magazine.

In addition, Starwave's Seattle office will now serve as the core technology developer for the entire Buena Vista Internet Group, providing technology tools for database management, Web traffic analysis, advertising management and Web publishing systems for all Buena Vista Internet Group sites including Disney.com, Disney's Daily Blast and ABC.com.

Buena Vista Internet Group will retain the services of key members of Starwave's senior management. Mike Slade will become president of Buena Vista Internet Group. Patrick Naughton will become the company's chief technology officer and Tom Phillips will run the ESPN sports group.