Big changes for the little guy

CNET has agreed to provide content to Yahoo in exchange for assistance with ad sales.

The parties signed a three-year deal whereby CNET provides technology news and reviews to Yahoo properties. This will increase tech coverage offered by Yahoo, replacing Yahoo's own (largely unsuccessful) attempt to create a competitive tech content destination.

Under the terms of the deal, CNET may sell ads against content that appears on Yahoo pages. Its Download.com property will also become a major distribution point for Yahoo's Toolbar.

Yahoo shall manage and sell ad inventory on a number of CNET properties, including TV.com and GameSpot.com.

CNET CEO Neil Ashe says $100 million in revenue will be realized over the course of the three-year deal. Revenue like that is welcome; not unlike Yahoo, CNET faces trouble with investors critical of how management has run — or failed to run — the business.