News Corp reportedly eyeing Canal+ Spain move

News Corp has approached Telefónica and Spanish pay TV operator Prisa expressing interest in buying a stake in the latter’s Canal+ satellite TV arm, according to Spanish news site El Confidencial.

The report claims that Telefónica, which already owns a 22% stake in Canal+, has been in discussions with Prisa since January about buying its 56% majority share in the pay TV business.

However, Sky is now said to be amicably talking to Telefónica about also buying into the business in a move that would give it TV rights to top flight football in England, Italy, Germany and Spain.

The report claims that Prisa has already rejected an initial offer from Telefónica about taking its stake in Canal+, formerly known as Digital+, saying that  Telefónica CEO César Alierta is not prepared to pay more than €900 million for the 56%.