Murdoch Denies Interest In Five
In a surprise development, News Corp chairman Rupert Murdoch has today ruled out a move for Channel 5. Speaking after the BSkyB results press conference in London, he said that News Corp was “not interested” in acquiring the terrestrial network.
The news will come as a shock to many commentators who feared that the liberalisation of legislation pertaining to foreign ownership of UK media, included in the forthcoming communications bill, would inevitably lead to the media mogul entering the UK terrestrial market.
Murdoch has also dismissed any interest in ITV and claimed that the only company capable of buying the channel was Viacom, whose chairman indicated an interest last night (see Viacom Eyes Prospect Of ITV Takeover).
Murdoch also launched a vitriolic attack on the UK government, claiming it gives the BBC everything it wants and alleged that BSkyB not only has to compete against other commercial broadcasters, but the authorities too.
BSkyB: 0207 705 3000 www.sky.com
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