$45 Million for "HD AmeriTV" Sounds Awfully Familiar

Update: We just received a call from Shaun Morgan, who is identified on the press releases as First Mutual’s CEO, but is listed as chairman on the company’s website. His explanation: First Mutual didn’t issue the press releases. He claims that the company hadn’t even seen them up until a few hours ago and that its legal department is looking into the situation. Still some unanswered questions though, including why others that have called the company were told the investment was real. Morgan also said that the company does have an investment in a Zip Trade Technologies, but that it’s an online trading firm that hasn’t been active in several years. We’ve been promised a fuller explanation, so we’ll fill you in on anything pertinent.

A massive $45 million funding announcement from a heretofore unknown P2P internet TV firm named HD AmeriTV had us wondering whether Joost had a new, well-heeled competitor. But the lack of info on the company or its CEO (Google (NSDQ: GOOG) revealed nothing on either) had us a bit skeptical. Others, including SAI and Alarm:Clock, thought something seemed off as well. While waiting for the company identified as lead funder to return our calls, we figured out why this announcement sounded so weird: It’s exactly the same as Joost’s funding announcement from May.

HD AmeriTV: HD AmeriTV