Defy Media Contemplating a Sale

Online video firm Defy Media, a maker of comedic web videos mostly aimed at young men, is in discussions that could lead to either a capital raising or a sale, said a person close to the company.

Any deal could give Defy, or any acquirer, much-needed extra scale with content and audiences, which is crucial for drawing advertising dollars. Even though online video audiences have grown significantly in recent years, high production costs remain a hurdle for independent firms looking to expand. Last year several comedic online video sites such as Funny or Die, CollegeHumor and The Onion discussed a combination with Viacom, although the talks didn’t lead anywhere.