Talks between Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox and Walt Disney over a possible purchase of the bulk of the company’s interests are reportedly back on.
The discussions between the two, which include the European pay-TV business Sky, ended last month but the two sides are now back around the table.
Under discussion is the US movie studio, cable channels and international businesses that also include India’s Star.
US broadcast regulations mean that Disney would be unable to own two broadcast networks – it already has control of ABC – and antitrust laws would also keep Fox News and Fox Sports out of any deal.
With the deal certain to be referred to the US regulatory authorities any transaction is unlikely to bring a speedy conclusion to Fox’s purchase of Sky. The £11.7 billion purchase is currently the subject of an investigation by the Competition and Markets Authority.
It is entirely possible that the two investigations might run concurrently.
There has also been reported interest from NBCUniversal owner Comcast and the telco Verizon.
