Eyes on a Buy for The Weather Channel?

Two giants in the media industry — Jeff Zucker, CEO of NBC Universal, and Leslie Moonves, his counterpart at CBS — might be wrestling over The Weather Channel, owned by Norfolk-based Landmark Communications Inc.

A couple of weeks ago Zucker was quoted as saying "obviously" The Weather Channel would be something NBC Universal would look at. On Thursday, Moonves chimed in. At McGraw-Hill’s Media Summit, he indicated that after a few modest purchases, CBS is in the mood for a big one.

Could it be The Weather Channel and its related properties?

"We’re in a good position financially to do some things," Moonves was quoted as saying on Broadcasting & Cable’s Web site, adding that CBS had a couple billion dollars to spend. "We look at absolutely everything," he said, offering that The Weather Channel would be a good fit at CBS if the price was right.

A Landmark official suggested two months ago that the independent cable network could fetch $5 billion. News reports have indicated initial bids for The Weather Channel have been received by Landmark, which also owns The Virginian-Pilot.