Scripps buying USA’s Travel Channel?

Chris Forrester

There’s an auction going on in the US for the Travel Channel (not to be confused with the UK-based broadcaster with a similar name). Reports suggest that Scripps Networks Interactive is a top contender. But there are other names in the frame.

Naturally enough News Corp is mentioned as a potential buyer of the Cox Communications-owned lifestyle channel, while NBC-Universal is also spoken about.

Also named in a Reuters report picked up by The New York Times are Time Warner, Comcast and Barry Diller’s IAC/InterActive Corp.

First round bids are due in this Tuesday, with talk suggesting $600-$700m to be the likely price. Cox bought the asset from Discovery in 2007.