Discovery deal with Scripps to drop as early as next week

Discovery Communications could be the new owner of Food Network and HGTV as early as next week, sources told The Post.

Viacom got booted from the process on Wednesday after shareholders of the parent of the popular channels, Scripps Networks Interactive, indicated that they thought they’d get a better deal with John Malone-backed Discovery Communications.

Discovery owns cable channels TLC, Animal Planet, ID and others, in addition to its namesake channel.

Viacom was offering an all-cash deal that would have lost the company its investment-grade status, according to analysts.

While a per-share price is still a point of contention, the talks are said to be focused on a figure between $91 and $95 per share.

Scripps would nominate one person to Discovery’s board. That person is likely to Scripps Chief Executive Ken Lowe, according to a person close to the process.

A deal could be just days away, according to a person close to the talks.

None of the companies could be reached for comment.