Univision One of Two Bidders for Gawker

By Jon Lafayette
( Broadcasting & Cable )
published

Univision Communications is reportedly one of two bidders for Gawker, the online media company forced into bankruptcy after losing a lawsuit over posting a sex tape featuring wrestler Hulk Hogan.

Univision is trying to outbid Ziff Davis, which is offering $90 million according to Bloomberg. A Univision spokesperson had no comment

If Univision acquired Gawker, it would be the latest in a series of digital properties the TV company has bought. It acquired the humor site The Onion and The Root, a news site for African Americans.

Univision is the top Hispanic language broadcaster, but like other TV companies it is looking to digital media to grow its reach with younger audiences.

Gawker lost a lawsuit, and a jury in Florida awarded $140 million to Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea. The lawsuit was backed by Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel, who objected to some of Gawker’s coverage.

Jon Lafayette
Jon Lafayette

Jon has been business editor of Broadcasting+Cable since 2010. He focuses on revenue-generating activities, including advertising and distribution, as well as executive intrigue and merger and acquisition activity. Just about any story is fair game, if a dollar sign can make its way into the article. Before B+C, Jon covered the industry for TVWeek, Cable World, Electronic Media, Advertising Age and The New York Post. A native New Yorker, Jon is hiding in plain sight in the suburbs of Chicago.