Reader's Digest Association Inc, publisher of the widely-read Reader's Digest magazine, said yesterday it would likely file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy for its US businesses to cut its debt load.

The media company, known worldwide for its family-friendly namesake magazine, been trying to slash costs and boost growth since it was taken private in 2007 by an investor group led by Ripplewood Holdings LLC.

The bankruptcy would take the form of a so-called pre-arranged filing, Reader's Digest said in a statement. A pre-arranged filing comes after a company has already reached deals with its lenders to cut its debt.

The Chapter 11 filing will apply only to the company's US businesses. Its operations in Canada, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia-New Zealand will not be affected.

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