Report: Comcast Wants to Acquire 21st Century Fox

The company may be interested in buying some or all of Fox's assets.


Comcast Center in Philadelphia, PA against clouds and a blue sky. andrewhuynh265 | iStock

Comcast has approached 21st Century Fox over a possible acquisition, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, and it’s currently unclear whether the company wants to buy all or part of Fox, the publication said, citing sources.

Just ten days ago, news of acquisition talks between Walt Disney and Fox set the internet ablaze. Those talks are no longer active but Fox had proposed selling its film and TV divisions, including networks like National Geographic and FX, and the company’s ownership of international networks like Sky and Star TV. And under that deal, Fox would have certainly slimmed down but kept its broadcast network, Fox Sports and the Fox Business and Fox News brands. The WSJ reports that a deal with Comcast might take the same shape.

Such a move could be the ultimate example of consolidation in the increasingly competitive media and telecommunications landscape. 21st Century Fox has a market cap of $53.68 billion, according to the WSJ.

Comcast did not immediately respond to a request for comment.