AOL Time Warner to focus on European expansion

LONDON - AOL Time Warner chief executive Gerald Levin has said that the media giant is to focus on an international strategy and its first priority will begin with European expansion.

The company plans to generate half of its sales in overseas markets within 10 years, Levin said. The rollout of high-speed access technology will allow the group to provide its customers with content from its media subsidiaries CNN, Time, Warner Music and AOL.



Levin said he expected the group's second-quarter results and new subscriber numbers -- due to be released on July 18 -- to be in line with analysts' expectations. Analysts estimate that AOL's subscriber base grew by about 13.3m customers to 30m in the second quarter.



Meanwhile the company has announced plans to close all of its Warner Bros retail stores by October.



The stores have suffered from declining sales because of a waning interest in film-related merchandise. The media and internet giant indicated earlier this year that it was looking for a buyer for the units.



The closures are expected to result in the loss of 3,000 jobs.



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