Sky News could be sold
News Corp could be prepared to dispose of Sky News or other assets to smooth its path to taking full control of BSkyB, it emerged last night.
Rupert Murdoch’s media group has approached the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), the body responsible for approving the takeover of BSkyB, with a range of options that include selling Sky News, according to the Financial Times.
Watchdog Ofcom has already told DCMS it should refer the takeover £7.5bn bid to the Competition Commission. The larger group, which includes chairman and chief executive of News Corp in Europe and Asia James Murdoch, had bid to buy the shares in BSkyB that News Corp does not already own, in a deal that valued the broadcaster at roughly £12bn.
A spokesperson for DCMS said the department “would not provide a running commentary”, while News Corp’s US office did not return calls.