BSkyB briefly reached a 52-week high on the London Stock Exchange this morning (Friday) after rumours swept the market that News Corp was about to take the company into private ownership.
Shares climbed by close to 5% on the day, reaching 597.50 on the Broadband TV News Marketwatch board, before falling back to 585.50 at noon. The climb represents the largest rise since October.
In June 2008, News Corp delisted its set-top technology and security subsidiary NDS in a $3.6 billion transaction with private equity firm Permira.
News Corp currently owns around 40% of the satcaster.
BSkyB declined to comment on the matter, News Corp could not immediately be reached.