News Corp. inching closer to BSkyB approval

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When last we reported on News Corporation’s attempt to buy out other shareholders of BSkyB the UK’s Secretary for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, Jeremy Hunt, indicated he was inclined to let the deal go through. That was in March. Now he says he wants one more week to think it over.


According to the Wall Street Journal, which is owned by News Corp., Hunt is poised to give final approval to the media conglomerate’s purchase of the remaining 60.9% stake in the satellite pay TV service. He just wants a final one-week “consultation period” for the public to voice any additional objections. That would be in addition to the 40,000-plus comments already filed.

For its part, News Corp. said it will “continue to engage constructively with the regulatory process.”

In order to ease regulatory concerns, News Corporation had earlier agreed to spin off Sky News, the 24/7 news channel, into an independent operation.