It looks like the pressure of cord cutting is growing and smaller networks such as Scripps Networks are starting to look for a way out.
This week it was reported by The Wall Street Journal that both Discovery and Viacom are in talks to buy Scripps Networks. It seems that Discovery and Viacom are trying to fight cord cutting by getting bigger, and smaller networks such as Scripps are looking to get out by selling.
Scripps Networks is the parent company of HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel, and the Travel Channel. The question now is what does this mean for cord cutters who are fans of these networks.
Currently, Scripps Networks shows are available on Sling TV, PlayStation Vue, DIRECTV NOW, Hulu, and fuboTV. A potential sale raises real questions about the future of these networks for cord cutters, especially with Viacom making it clear that it is no fan of streaming services such as PlayStation Vue.
Discovery is also not the most cord cutting friendly network, and it is currently only available on PlayStation Vue and DIRECTV NOW.
So what would this mean for the streaming deals? We are honestly not sure. They clearly have a contract that would need to be honored but the question is what is in that contract. It is possible a new owner may be able to buy out the contract or there may be an automatic renegotiate clause if the channels are sold.
What we do know is with the growth of cord cutting and declining profits this will not be the only cable network to go up for sale. The question now is who will be next.
So what networks do you think will be sold first? Leave us a comment and let us know why you think they will be sold.
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