Technology briefs for Dec. 18

Sprint Nextel to buy rival

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. — Sprint Nextel says it reached a deal to buy out the minority shareholders of Clearwire for $2.2 billion, a higher price than it previously said it would pay. Sprint says it will pay $2.97 per share for Clearwire stock it doesn't already own. Last week, the company said it would offer $2.90 per share, which totaled $2.1 billion. The deal still needs the approval of regulators and Clearwire shareholders, but Sprint expects it to close by the middle of next year. The acquisition will give Sprint total control of the struggling Clearwire and more space on the airwaves for data services. Sprint Nextel Corp. is the country's No. 3 wireless carrier, trailing Verizon Wireless and AT&T. Clearwire shares fell 25 cents, or 7 percent, to $3.12 in premarket trading.

Hulu predicts higher revenue

LOS ANGELES — Online video service Hulu says revenue this year will grow about 65 percent to $695 million. Hulu says it has more than doubled the number of subscribers who pay $8 a month for Hulu Plus. The figure now exceeds 3 million. Hulu Plus gives users a broader selection of back episodes and access over mobile devices, game consoles and Internet-connected TVs. Both free and paid versions of Hulu come with ads. In a blog post, Hulu CEO Jason Kilar said Monday that the service has spent $500 million on content this year, boosting the number of titles it offers by 40 percent. Hulu also debuted its first scripted original series, “Battleground,” this year. Hulu is owned by the parent companies of broadcasters ABC, NBC and Fox.