Salem Web Network, the online division of radio broadcaster Salem Communications, announced that it has acquired Christian content and community websites tangle.com and GodTube.com.
tangle.com is described as “the leading Christian niche social networking website” and GodTube.com as “the leading Christian video website.” The buyer says they will complement Salem’s portfolio of faith and family-themed content sites – including Crosswalk.com, Christianity.com, OnePlace.com and Crosscards.com – and add to the largest online Christian advertising platform.
“Both of these brands have pioneered new content and community interaction in the faith-based market and give Salem a strong presence in the rapidly growing web 2.0 video and social networking space,” said Tom Perrault, Senior Vice President of Salem Web Network. “We are excited about adding these sites and combined audience to our network, and we have plans to aggressively grow both over the next several years,” he added.
According to ComScore, the announcement noted, video is now larger than search, with 33 billion video views – vs. 15 billion searches a month. US consumers are watching an average of 12.71 hours of online video each month.
“Professionally produced and user generated inspirational videos were a significant gap in our content offerings. This acquisition gives us the leadership position overnight, while also opening up important new multi-media advertising opportunities,” said Rick Killingsworth, Salem’s Executive Vice President of New Media.
In addition to music, comedy, inspirational, and theological video sharing, GodTube.com and tangle.com also provide an interactive online Bible, prayer wall, social networking, and a national Church directory.
Financial terms of the acquisition of the two websites from Big Jump Media were not disclosed.
