Cable under Sky pressure
MEDIA giants yesterday united against Rupert Murdoch’s plans to buy BSkyB in an £8bn deal.
DMGT’s Associated Newspapers, the Telegraph Media Group, Trinity Mirror and Guardian Media Group
wrote a joint letter urging business secretary Vince Cable to intervene in the deal.
The BBC, Channel 4 and BT also signed the letter. They argue the acquisition would seriously compromise media plurality, with the Murdoch empire already owning the Times, Sun and News of the World newspapers. Murdoch currently owns 39 per cent of the satellite broadcaster and has proposed a 700p-a-share buyout that would value the firm at £8bn. News Corp is expected to file for regulatory approval with the European Commission. After this Cable could chose to initiate a full enquiry into the deal on the grounds of public interest.