Toshiba Logs On With Time Warner And AOL

Toshiba, the Japanese electronics giant, said on Monday that it is planning to approach America Online and Time Warner about a possible tie-up in its domestic market. The precise nature of the intended alliance is still under consideration, but Toshiba said it was primarily motivated by a desire to tap into the film, video and Internet content of its two prospective partners. ""We intend to start talking with them as soon as possible,"" said Keisuke Ohmori, a Toshiba spokesman. ""Through relations with AOL and Time Warner, we hope Toshiba will be able to create new content businesses focusing on the Internet and mobile communications."" Talks are expected to center on how Toshiba could use its strengths, especially in cell phones and laptops, to deliver music, images and other information to Japan using the Internet. Last week, the Japanese electronics company unveiled plans to invest 250 billion yen ($2.26 billion) in its Internet business over the next three years. Toshiba already owns a 0.2% share of Time Warner. Talks between the various parties could begin as early as April, according to Ohmori. Source: The Hollywood Reporter