Branchez-Vous picks up Showbizz.net, Matinternet

The Quebec portal's latest acquisition deal should boost its young adult and A25-54 reach.

Branchez-Vous and Genex Communications have signed a memorandum of agreement concerning the sale by Genex of its Internet division, AgenceNews, to Branchez-Vous. The main assets include the Matinternet.com et Showbizz.net web sites.

Showbizz.net (www.showbizz.net) is the largest entertainment information website in Québec. Approximately 240,000 Canadians visit it on a monthly basis. Online daily Matinternet (www.matinternet.com), an independent site for general news in Montreal, attracts about 150,000 Canadians on a monthly basis.

Branchez-Vous CEO Patrick Pierra says the two sites will build the network’s reach among young people and adults 25-54. ‘Showbizz.net is the leading site covering stars and entertainment in Québec. Mostly geared to young adults, it will become the second pillar of our Content division, besides our tech-focused Branchez-Vous.com portal. As for Matinternet, a truly online daily newspaper, it is mostly visited by adults from 25-54 with a male skew.’

Other sites included in the acquisition deal are CirculationMontreal.com, Info-affaires.com and SummumSports.com. The transaction should be concluded during the second quarter of 2008.