News Corp eyes up pay-TV pair

Media giant News Corp is said to be considering a bid for two major European pay-TV broadcasters - Germany's Premiere and Spain's Digital+.

News Corp chief Rupert Murdoch has built a 25% stake in Premiere over the past six months while Spanish media conglomerate Prisa is believed to be lining up satellite broadcaster Digital+ for sale.

It could come on the market by the end of next month, according to the Wall Street Journal.

However, Murdoch is likely to face competition for Digital+ from Vivendi and Spanish telecom groups Cableuropa SAU and Telefonica.

While News Corp has yet to make a final decision on buying the rest of Munichbased Premiere, it is understood to want to install its own management, regardless of whether there is a bid or not.

If the acquisitions went ahead it would expand the remit of Murdoch's son James, head of European operations, and increase his standing as heir apparent.