AOL

AOL Inc. (abbreviation, abbreviation for former name. America Online; a stylized version of the name is Aol.; pronounced "Hey-Ou-El") is an American media conglomerate, provider of online services and electronic bulletin boards, Internet pager AIM.

History

2025: Yahoo sells AOL to Italian company Bending Spoons for $1.5 billion

In October 2025, Bending Spoons announced the acquisition of America Online (AOL) for $1.5 billion from Yahoo. The parties plan to close the deal by the end of 2025 after obtaining permits from the antimonopoly authorities. Yahoo Chairman Reed Rayman said the deal prepares AOL for the next phase of development. He noted that the acquisition would allow Yahoo to focus more on its artificial intelligence capabilities.^[1]

2021: Apollo Global Management bought Yahoo

In early May 2021, Verizon Communications announced the sale of the media business to the investment company Apollo Global Management. The perimeter of the deal worth $5 billion includes projects from Yahoo, AOL, TechCrunch, Engadget, etc. Read more here.

2017: Merging with internet business Yahoo! within Oath

In July 2016, Verizon Communications announced its intention to buy the main Internet business Yahoo!, which was tentatively to be merged with AOL in the newly created Oath company. Two months before the deal closed, in April 2017, Verizon announced the merger of Yahoo and AOL under the Oath brand.^[2]

2016: AOL Structure

For several years, AOL was rebuilt: non-core and unprofitable assets were sold, and new assets were purchased at the same time.

As a result of this approach, by January 2016, the company managed to:

• form a large portfolio of online brands - well-promoted sites with high-quality content;
• Create a highly efficient IT platform for fast ad placement and management
• gain a foothold in the premium content segment, and strengthen its position in the video and mobile markets.

AOL formed a business consisting of three divisions:

• Brand Group (in revenue 33%).
• Membership Group (in revenue 36%).
• AOL Networks (in revenue 31%).

Brand Group includes publications and mapping services.

Membership Group includes a set of services and sites that are provided on a paid and free basis by subscription:

• PC and technical support maintenance;
• Internet access services Netscape and CompuServe;
• antiviruses and data protection software;
• mobile chat AIM application for AOL Mail.

AOL Networks includes:

• Advertising.com is the largest display advertising network in the UK and the USA;
• advertising platforms: Be On, AdTech, Marketplace, Adap.tv, Pictela;
• ad network for AOL On video ads.^[3]

2015: Purchase by Verizon

On May 12, 2015, Verizon announced plans to buy AOL for $4.4 billion ($50 per share), the transaction was completed on June 23.

2013: Top 20 internet giants by size of internet audience

Internet companies by audience size

2010: Advertising Premium Segment Course

Under the leadership of new CEO Tim Armstrong, AOL has since 2010 taken its course towards the advertising premium segment and the development of services designed to promote brands.

2009: Independence from Time Warner

On May 28, 2009, Time Warner announced its separation from AOL as an independent company, whose interests will be in the publishing business, film and television. On November 23, AOL unveiled an updated logo created by Wolff Olins, the replacement took place on December 10 - the day AOL shares began trading as an independent company.

2006: Abbreviation of name to AOL

On April 3, 2006, AOL announced the reduction of its name from "America Online" to "AOL," the full name being AOL LLC.

2001: AOL Time Warner Formation

In January 2000, AOL and Time Warner announced plans to merge into AOL Time Warner. According to the terms of the transaction, AOL shareholders (during the dot-com boom, a former priority object for investment) received 55% of the shares of the combined company. The deal was closed on January 11, 2001. The newly created company was led by representatives of AOL, SBI and Time Warner.

1995

Actress Mila Jovovich answers questions from fans in an online chat company AOL, February 13, 1995.

1989: Renamed America Online

In October 1989, Quantum changed its name to America Online. The product was promoted as an online service for users who are poorly versed in computers, as opposed to CompuServe, which enjoyed a good reputation among the technical community.

1985: Creation of Quantum Computer Services

On May 24, 1985, Quantum Computer Services was created from the remnants of CVC by Chief Executive Officer Jim Kimsey.

1983: Foundation of Control Video Corporation

In 1983, William von Meister, after Warner Bros. abandoned his project to sell music online, founded the short-lived Control Video Corporation (or CVC), whose only product was the GameLine online service for the Atari 2600 game console.^[4]

Notes