Viacom eyes Marketwatch

Yahoo, Dow, Times also interested in Netco

By BEN FRITZ

Viacom expects to make a bid to take control of financial news Web site CBS Marketwatch, the conglom confirmed in an SEC filing Thursday.

Viacom currently has a 22% stake in the Netco.

Several other suitors are reportedly interested in buying the publicly traded company, including Yahoo!, Dow Jones and the New York Times.

A deal is expected to be worth several hundred million dollars.

In August, Viacom acquired the other CBS-branded Web site in which it had a minority stake, CBS Sportsline, for nearly $50 million.

Company execs have previously indicated they're looking to take better advantage of the fast-growing online advertising space.

Marketwatch stock closed up 10% at $16.06 Thursday.