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December 3, 2007 7:39 PM PST

News Corp. reportedly buys something--but it's Beliefnet, not LinkedIn or Digg

by Caroline McCarthy
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There must have been something afoot in the crisp, early-December air that hinted News Corp. mogul Rupert Murdoch was in the market for a new Web acquisition. But, contrary to rumors, it isn't social news site Digg or business networking hub LinkedIn.

Rather, the media conglomerate is rumored to have purchased religion and spirituality site Beliefnet, according to a report from the FishbowlNY blog at Mediabistro. The blog received an "anonymous tip" that prompted a call to Beliefnet, resulting in an odd no-we-won't-deny-it comment that convinced FishbowlNY editor Noah Davis that it was pretty much a done deal.

No financial terms have been reported or disclosed yet.

Beliefnet, a hoary veteran in Web years, was founded way back in 1999 by Steve Waldman, who still serves as editor-in-chief. The site, a blend of editorial content and social networking unaffiliated with any specific sect, claims over 3.1 million monthly unique visitors and over 7.6 million subscribers.

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About The Social

CNET News' Caroline McCarthy is a downtown Manhattanite who believes that, despite popular opinion, the Web can actually help your social life. She's happily addicted to fun social-media tools from Twitter to Yelp to Facebook, sends an inordinate number of text messages, and has a tendency to waste time at the office reading restaurant blogs. Here, she explores all facets of the Web's gregarious side, as well as the unique tech culture in her home city of New York. (Don't call it Silicon Alley.)

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