CBS Corp. CEO Les Moonves says CBS Corp. is interested in buying the CNN news channel if it becomes available. Getting between Rupert Murdoch and his efforts to buy Time Warner Inc. is another matter.
Moonves, who spoke to reporters at a Television Critics Association event in Beverly Hills said in the past he’s discussed “doing something with [Time Warner’s] CNN,” with his CBS News on broadcast. Combining the operations would allow them to share resources and save money.
While expressing interest in CNN, Moonves suggested he wouldn’t be interested in teaming up with Time Warner in a broader transaction. One option suggested by analysts for Time Warner, which rejected the offer, is to combine with another media company such as New York-based CBS.
“Nobody ever competes well against Rupert,” Moonves said.
Murdoch, who is known for his tenacity in pursuing deals, would be willing to sell CNN as part of his plan to acquire New York-based Time Warner, a person with knowledge of the situation told Bloomberg.
