Comcast Corp. and Verizon Communications Inc. have looked into acquiring a big portion of 21st Century Fox Inc., swooping in after talks to sell film and television assets to Walt Disney Co. cooled, according to people familiar with the matter.
Comcast, the owner of TV networks such as NBC and the movie studio Universal Pictures, approached the Rupert Murdoch-controlled media group about the assets, said the people, who asked not to be identified discussing private information. Verizon, the biggest U.S. wireless carrier, has some interest in the same collection of holdings, two of the people said.
Disney had sought a stake in European satellite carrier Sky PLC, the National Geographic, FX and Star India cable networks, and the 20th Century Fox film and TV studio, people familiar with the matter said earlier. Comcast would also be interested in Fox's regional sports networks, one of the people said last week. Fox would be left with its assets including its cable news outlets and broadcast channel, including local stations.
A deal between Comcast and Fox would radically change the media landscape, consolidating some of the biggest entertainment properties in the world and putting two of the six major Hollywood studios under one roof. The rise of online competitors like Netflix and YouTube has slowed the growth of pay-TV, and Comcast, the biggest U.S. cable provider, has been adding film and TV assets to ensure it has a hand in both programming and distribution.
SundayMonday Business on 11/19/2017