Blue-Sky Thinking

Disney Wants Sky News

Could clear way for a blocked Murdoch to buy U.K. satellite broadcaster.

Disney expressed interest Tuesday in buying Sky News, in a deal that could help Rupert Murdoch push through his takeover of the satellite broadcaster. Murdoch’s bid for Sky has been put on hold amid British regulators’ concerns that obtaining the 61 percent of the satellite broadcaster he does not already own will give him too much influence over U.K. news media. Separating Sky’s news channel could allay those concerns. The Murdoch family already controls News U.K., the owner of The Times of London, Sun, and the TalkSport radio station. Disney is working on its own $66 billion (£47B) takeover of most of Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox, including Sky. Fox said Disney wanted Sky News “whether or not Disney’s proposed acquisition of 21st Century Fox proceeds.”