Posted June 23, 201114 yr Hunt set to give go-ahead to BSkyB deal next week By Ian Burrell, Media Correspondent Independent, Thursday, 23 June 2011 Rupert Murdoch's News Corp has agreed with Ofcom, the media regulator, the terms that will allow News Corp to proceed with its bid to take complete control of BSkyB, with the Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt expected to approve the deal next week. Ofcom yesterday submitted its report to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and all parties now expect Mr Hunt to announce that the takeover can proceed. Mr Hunt, who is this week in Brazil on an official visit with the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, has previously indicated he is minded to accept News Corp's purchase of the 60.9 per cent of BSkyB shares it does not already own, provided it spins off Sky News into separate ownership. That remedy is expected to be sufficient to ensure that Mr Hunt does not feel the need to refer the bid to the Competition Commission. The deal has been the subject of concerted opposition and a previous consultation exercise received 40,000 objections. Rival media groups have campaigned against the takeover, claiming it would give one company too much control over the British media. News Corp still has to negotiate a price with BSkyB shareholders, who have previously rejected a 700p-a-share offer as being 100p too low. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nice to see everyone letting bygones be bygones, eh..? I mean, what's a pesky little "Phone Hacking" scandal and alleged Police bribery and corruption between good friends...? Wouldn't be surprised if the deal was sealed at that nice little garden party with Champers and Canapes that Rupert threw for all his Tory, Lib Dem and New Labour chums last week....
June 23, 201114 yr At least Hunt had the good sense to stay away while Clegg got his officials to arrange a "prior engagement". Cameron though is either displaying extreme arrogance or a complete lack of judgement. Even if he has stuck to the rules and played no part in the decision, hob-nobbing with the Murdochs while the decision is being made is thoroughly improper.
June 23, 201114 yr Author At least Hunt had the good sense to stay away while Clegg got his officials to arrange a "prior engagement". Cameron though is either displaying extreme arrogance or a complete lack of judgement. Even if he has stuck to the rules and played no part in the decision, hob-nobbing with the Murdochs while the decision is being made is thoroughly improper. Indeed.... And smacks ever-so-slightly of corruption....
June 23, 201114 yr Shame that Cable didn't keep his mouth shut, even though he was slightly biased, I'll bet he wouldn't have let this happen. Anyway I don't read Murdoch papers or subscribe to the hideously awful Sky television so my conscience is clear!
June 23, 201114 yr Author Shame that Cable didn't keep his mouth shut, even though he was slightly biased, I'll bet he wouldn't have let this happen. Anyway I don't read Murdoch papers or subscribe to the hideously awful Sky television so my conscience is clear! Cable was a bit of a prat to be sure, but he was basically the victim of a Media "Honey Trap" as well... One could almost say it was "deliberate".... -_-
June 23, 201114 yr Cable was a bit of a prat to be sure, but he was basically the victim of a Media "Honey Trap" as well... One could almost say it was "deliberate".... -_- But the Telegraph were one of the groups opposing the bid. It turned out to be a spectacular own goal by them.
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