Comcast is understood to be in preliminary talks to buy the entertainment assets of 21st Century Fox.
The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that the NBC owner would acquire the Fox movie studio and the international television distribution business. Fox would retain the Fox News channel, sports interest other than its regional sports channels, and the Fox broadcast network.
The group of assets is similar to those that were reportedly the subject of separate discussions with Disney.
It’s clear that 21st Century Fox has put out the for sale boards.
Other companies in the frame include the US telco Verizon and Amazon. The growth of the latter, along with other technology-content companies such as Netflix and Apple has encouraged traditional media businesses to look at what can be achieved at scale.
Any purchase that takes Sky out of the hold of Fox is likely could both reduce and increase the pressure on UK regulators currently examining the £11.7 billion bid for the satellite company.
