Topix.net to be acquired by newspaper J-V

"Earlier today, Tony Gentile had a rumor that Topix.net was acquired by Knight-Ridder--it's true.

Knight Ridder, in partnership with the Tribune Media Company and Gannett, has acquired 75% of Topix.net for an undisclosed amount. I spoke with Rich Skrenta, Topix CEO and founder, and he told me that the deal would allow Topix to remain as an independent entity based in the Valley--and deploy their skills across the KRD-Trib-Gannett platform."

[Susan Mernit's Blog]

Pretty savvy acquisitions in the past year by the larger media players of startups with top media related technology at rather inexpensive valuations (I presume): Yhoo (Flickr for ~$16M), Google (Keyhole), AskJ (Bloglines), eBay (Craigslist; 25% stake for undisclosed amount), Tribune/Gannett/Knight Ridder (Topix), IAC (Zero Degrees). It seems like a trend that's happening more and more and I presume it's only a matter of time before other related blogging companies in the space - SixApart, Typepad, Technorati, Newsgator, others - will exit or die (hopefully not).