• Reuters, Wednesday, September 16, 2009 9:51 PM

Private equity firms Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., Thomas H. Lee Partners, and Providence Equity are bidding separately for Cox Enterprises' Travel Channel. They join media companies Scripps Networks Interactive and News Corp. in the auction, which is expected to fetch $600 million to $700 million, say insiders. NBC Universal is no longer participating.

At least two of the private equity firms are in discussions with Discovery Communications to use it for services such as selling advertising and negotiating network-carry fees should they win control of Travel Channel.

Privately held Cox is selling a 65% stake in the channel as part of an auction being handled by Goldman Sachs. The channel is known for programs such as "Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations."

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