Scripps Will Control 65 Percent of Leveraged Joint Venture with
The two companies today signed a definitive agreement that, upon
completion, will result in Scripps Networks Interactive owning 65
percent of the
The Travel Channel transaction is expected to be completed by or before
“Combining the Travel Channel with
Launched in 1987, Travel Channel has grown to become one of America’s best known cable television networks and today reaches about 95 million U.S. television households. The television network – the cornerstone of Travel Channel Media – supports a growing range of cross-platform initiatives including Internet, mobile and social media applications.
“Adding the Travel Channel, and its related enterprises, provides us
with a unique opportunity to meaningfully expand our portfolio into a
lifestyle category that’s highly desirable to media consumers,
advertisers and programming distributors,” Lowe said. “Our vision for
Travel follows the same script that’s made
As proposed, the transaction is structured as a leveraged joint venture
between
Cox will contribute the Travel Channel, valued at
The transaction will result in the partnership having about
“This solid partnership that we’re establishing today allows us to
maintain an interest in Travel Channel while at the same time giving the
network an opportunity to leverage the resources and expertise of a
successful programmer like Scripps Networks Interactive,” said
Scripps Networks Interactive will control the joint venture and the network will be run as part of the company’s growing portfolio of popular lifestyle media brands.
“The incredibly complementary nature of our lifestyle media businesses presents an abundance of opportunity to provide services for Travel Channel that will result in increased advertising and affiliate revenues and substantial cost synergies,” Lowe said. “We have extensive experience working with partners to build value over the long term. Among cable companies, Cox has an outstanding reputation for its vision and investment for the long-term success of its businesses. We look forward to partnering with them in this venture.”
Scripps Networks Interactive was advised on the transaction by
Conference call
The senior management team of Scripps Networks Interactive will discuss
the proposed Travel Channel transaction as well as the company’s third
quarter operating results during a telephone conference call tomorrow,
To access the conference call by telephone, dial 800-288-8976 (U.S.) or 612-332-0342 (international) approximately ten minutes before the start of the call. Callers will need the name of the call, “Scripps Networks Interactive,” to be granted access. Callers also will be asked to provide their name and company affiliation. The media and general public are granted access to the conference call on a listen-only basis.
A replay line will be open from 12
Forward-looking statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements related
to the company’s businesses that are based on management’s current
expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks,
trends and uncertainties, including changes in advertising demand and
other economic conditions that could cause actual results to differ
materially from the expectations expressed in forward-looking
statements. All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the
understanding of their inherent uncertainty. The company’s written
policy on forward-looking statements can be found on page
The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date the statement is made.
About Scripps Networks Interactive
Scripps Networks Interactive is one of the leading developers of
lifestyle-oriented content for television and the Internet, where on-air
programming is complemented with online video, social media areas and
e-commerce components on companion Web sites and broadband vertical
channels. The company’s media portfolio includes: Lifestyle Media, with
popular lifestyle television and Internet brands HGTV,
Source:
Scripps Networks Interactive (Cincinnati)
Mark Kroeger, 513-824-3227
or
Scripps
Networks (Knoxville)
Cindy McConkey, 865-560-3976
