Networks eye Palin reality show

Former US vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is close to landing a deal for a reality show, according to media sources.

Former US vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is close to landing a deal for a reality show, according to media sources.

Sources say A&E Networks and Discovery Communications want to acquire Ms Palin's project, which features the Republican ex-governor giving a guided tour of her native Alaska, including visiting fishing boats and taking a trip to a gold mine.

The project's working title is Sarah Palin's Alaska.

A&E Networks has not officially put in a bid for the show, but sources indicate that the company is interested in the project for several of its brands - A&E, History or Lifetime.

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Discovery Communications is likewise vying for the project for one or more of its outlets, such as TLC. Some sources say the flagship Discovery Channel is no longer in play, while others say otherwise.

Ms Palin is asking for between $1 million and $1.5 million per episode, a hefty amount for a first-year cable series.

Ms Palin initially pitched the show to broadcast networks. Given the show's laid-back nature theme and lack of high-stakes drama that tends to typify broadcast reality hits, industry executives see cable as a better fit.

A&E is the home of bold reality fare like Intervention and Dog the Bounty Hunter, while Discovery has compatible outdoors series, such as Alaska-set Deadliest Catch.

"It will sell," predicted one insider. "One way or another."

A&E and Discovery had no comment.