Discovery takes big loss on HowStuffWorks sale

NEW YORK - The owner of cable networks Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet said Monday that it has agreed to sell information website HowStuffWorks to Blucora Inc. (BCOR) for $45 million.

That's far less than the $250 million Discovery Communications Inc. (DSCA) paid for it in 2007.

HowStuffWorks publishes articles and videos that explain everything from how chocolate eggs are made to whether carrots are good for your eyesight.

Discovery will continue to have access to HowStuffWorks videos after the deal closes and partner with Blucora to provide advertising services for the site. Blucora, based in Bellevue, Wash., owns search business InfoSpace.

The deal is expected to close in the second quarter.

Shares of Silver Spring, Md.-based Discovery slipped 39 cents to $77.44 in afternoon trading. Blucora shares rose 25 cents to $19.44.