In 1989, Ziff Davis Inc. launched ZDNet, an online complementary set of publications to the Ziff-Davis portfolio of technology print media. Long time Ziff-Davis veteran Dan Rosensweig was named CEO. A tracking stock, ZDZ, was created to accompany the parent stock, ZD.

In October 2000, CNET Networks, Inc. acquired ZDNet for approximately US$1.6 billion. Dan Rosensweig was named President of CNET Networks reporting to CEO Shelby Bonnie. He eventually left CNET and currently works as COO of Yahoo! under CEO Terry Semel. ZDNet remains a core brand for CNET Networks today.

In 2001, Ziff Davis Media Inc. reached an agreement with CNET Networks Inc. and ZDNet to regain the URLs lost in the 2000 sale of Ziff Davis Inc, to Softbank Corp.