UK pay-TV operator BSkyB is considering expanding to Europe with the acquisition of 21st Century Fox's interests in Sky Deutschland and Sky Italia. Following a report by Bloomberg on the deal, BSkyB issued a statement and said it started preliminary discussions with 21st Century Fox to evaluate the potential acquisition of its pay-TV assets in Germany and Italy.
BSkyB said that "at the right value, this combination would have the potential to create a world-class multinational pay TV group". The talks have not yet moved beyond the early stage, and no details of the potential deal were disclosed. BSkyB noted that all decisions on the potential transaction are being considered by a committee of its independent directors, with those affiliated with Fox not involved.
Sky Deutschland has 3.73 million subscribers and part of its shares are listed on the stock market. Sky Italia is 100 percent owned by Fox and has 4.75 million subscribers. The UK operator would remain the largest in the group, with over 11 million customers.
