Travel Channel International (TCI) has been sold to Scripps Networks Interactive in a £65 million deal.
A consortium led by the network’s managing director Richard Wolfe previously fronted the London-based channel. Scripps already runs its own Travel Channel brand out of the United States alongside networks including HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network and Cooking Channel.
TCI is available in 20 different language versions across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and South Asia.
The company produces and commissions original travel programming for distribution in 91 countries.
“Scripps Networks Interactive is the natural home for Travel Channel International,” said Richard Wolfe, chief executive of TCI. “Combining TCI’s reach and resources in our territories with those of SNI’s US Travel Channel creates a new worldwide brand with powerful synergies in programming and advertising.”
“We are looking forward to integrating Travel Channel International into Scripps Networks Interactive’s portfolio of popular lifestyle networks,” added Kenneth Lowe, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Scripps Networks Interactive. “TCI brings unique value to us as we establish our brands in the global media marketplace.”
Last August, Scripps bought into UKTV, the UK channel group behind brands including Watch, Gold and Dave.
