Earnings Preview: IAC/InterActiveCorp

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — IAC/InterActiveCorp reports earnings for the third quarter on Tuesday before the market opens. The following is a summary of key developments and analyst opinion related to the period:

OVERVIEW: During the third quarter, the Barry Diller-led Internet company said it would begin a new media venture with Ben Silverman, who was leaving his post as co-chairman of NBC Entertainment.

The venture, which was announced in July, will aim to bring advertisers into the development process for TV shows and Web videos. IAC said at the time that it plans to develop content and marketing across every medium.

IAC has not yet released the name or corporate structure of the venture. The company said that it will eventually become a separate entity that won't affect its own earnings, but IAC will provide an undisclosed amount of capital to start it up.

Also during the quarter, IAC's Match.com business — which includes Match.com, Chemistry.com and other dating sites — bought targeted dating Web site operator People Media for $80 million in cash from American Capital Ltd. The July acquisition added 27 Web sites to Match's stable, including BlackPeopleMeet.com and SingleParentMeet.com.