Multiple reports recently have named Time Warner and a partnership of NBC Universal, Blackstone Group and Bain Capital as the leading contenders to buy The Weather Channel and weather.com from Landmark Communications. Initial bidding didn’t get anywhere near the hoped for $5 billion and it is believed that the would-be buyers are now somewhere in the $3.5-4 billion range. There’s been no indication how soon a winner will be announced in the bidding. Landmark is also seeking bids on its TV stations and newspapers, but the primary focus thus far has been on the big prize, The Weather Channel.
