Official statement: BSKYB and DrownedinSound end joint venture partnership.

As many of you know, last year DrownedinSound.com signed a deal with BSkyB to support the expansion DiS and to create some new websites.

A key premise of this deal was that these new sites, alongside DiS, would support the music editorial on Sky’s portal and provide distinctive voices for different audiences, both niche and mainstream.

However, as of today, and following lengthy discussions between Sky and DiS, the decision has been made to end the joint venture partnership between Sky and DiS. This decision was based on a change in the online ambitions for both Sky and DiS. Following these changes to both Sky’s and DiS’ strategic focus, it was felt that the joint venture was not able to deliver the anticipated value to either party.

DiS will therefore return to being an independently-owned website, which means that we can now refocus on developments to improve DiS’ functionality. This is already underway and a more community-focused site is forthcoming.

We’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your continued support of the site and for your patience and understanding at this time. We look forward to embarking on a new era of DiS as we enter our eighth year.

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I didn't really notice any differences under Sky, tbh, apart from the ads, which i guess will stay anyway, no?

...by hitch-hiking?

hopefully more news v.soon.

Does it make any difference? I'm not sure I really care who owns things. Whatevers good for you, I hope you're all chuffed.

does this mean the adverts will be less annoying, or are they staying?

rcrdlbl, is that independent of dis?

get rid of the fosters advert on the right.

please.

I knows nowt. Enlighten me my man.

The Quietus will be continuing as an independent website. More news in the next couple of weeks.

Why does this news story get a full stop in the headline, whereas others don't?

you absolute beauty.

As long as no one behind the scenes has had their fingers burnt too much.

Glad The Quietus is staying.

It did seem like everything was expanding a little too quickly.

To give up a portal to the hip kids. The guy probably spends more on lunch than DiS. He probably couldn't stand how often the hip kids type the word "cunt".

Hopefully the DiS sales force will be able to steal the Sky advertisers for personal gain... although I was always amazed at the American High School reunion one. Did those only show up on American IP addresses or something? Anyway, good luck obv.

Poor SWells.

in the past year i've found myself paying more attention to the 'community' anyway, instead of in-house reviews and stuff. it'll be interesting to see any tweaks and changes, and effects on reading habits.

Seconded and a half. This seems to be a pervading trend on MySpace as well. Well annoying.

_

as you say...i look forward to any changes!

do you want people to lose jobs and money? bastards, the lot of you.

I will vomit into my shoes and wear them for a week.

I will take snapshots every six 6hrs and post them to my flickr account (www.flickr.com/photos/theavangelist) then the new lastFM API will let you hear the sound of my squelchy shoes as you look through the funky Flickr API for DiS, to see the sodden soles posted to the new community photo gallery.

Oh crap have I spoilt the predictable impending surprise?

I am all for mash up but whatever you boys do, make it good :-)

so, what, DiS is undergoing another redesign?

his real time job is well depressing

x

:(

were we s'pose to know ppl would be sacked? Were all on the outside.

i would happily have ads thrown at me left right and centre if the people that make this site what it is could continue doing what they do so well

so no, it didn't occur to me

would be the shittest, shittest thing that DIS could ever, ever do.

rcrdlbl is run by the guys that started engadget and that sort of thing, I didn't know it had any ties to DiS. I seriously doubt it'd be affected by this, but then I amn't exactly on the inside track for any of this.