uSwitch up for sale

How much for this price comparison site?

By John Oates • Get more from this author

Posted in Financial News, 11th June 2009 11:27 GMT

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Price comparison site uSwitch is up for sale.

US media group EW Scripps bought uSwitch in 2006 for £210m. The site specialises in utility and broadband price comparisons although it offers similar services for insurance, bank accounts and credit cards.

uSwitch makes money on commission when users change provider, leading to accusations that it cannot really offer a transparent comparison service.

The company also runs home moving site upmystreet.com.

EW Scripps is a 130-year old media firm. It owns TV stations and local US newspapers and United Media, which licenses Peanuts and Dilbert amongst other comics.

In common with other US media the company has had a very difficult year - it recently shut The Rocky Mountain News after failing to find a buyer. ®

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