HindustanTimes.com (HT.com) Q2 appears to have been flat, but that's not a bad thing given the downturn. While HT declined to give specifics, they said that the numbers are around the same as last quarter - 10.5 million pageviews, and Rs. 70 lakh per month in terms of revenues. The management appears to be backtracking on the statement they'd made in the last earnings call, about the online business being Rs. 100 crores in a year and a half. I'd asked them about whether there's been a change in the outlook, given the downturn. The response "We realize that Internet is the business of the future, and our strategy is very clear: as it has happened in all the global countries, classifieds will move slowly from print to the website, and we have to make sure that that business does not go to anybody else. Which is why you've seen the launch of Shine, the jobs site. We'll roll out the other classifieds sites with time. Education Portal? We've heard about HT Media planning to launch an education portal. In response to my question, HT was vague - saying that they'll get some clarity on the verticals, including education, in the next 3-6 months. They did confirm that they are "actively considering" the education domain. "We keep on evaluating these things as we go, and there are not enough revenues right now for us to be looking critically in terms of returns etc. from these business separately. Firefly: Shine &…
