Walt Disney, the parent company of international sports broadcaster ESPN, has been in talks to acquire most of the assets of rival media company 21st Century Fox in recent weeks, according to business news channel CNBC.
Talks have focused on a deal that would include Fox’s movie studio, television production and international assets, but would not include the Fox network, Fox Sports or Fox News. The transaction would also not include Fox’s local broadcasting affiliates.
CNBC added that talks were not taking place currently, but they could be reignited due to the “on-again, off-again” nature of the discussions so far.
According to the report, Fox believes that a more tightly focused set of properties “around news and sports” would allow the company to compete more effectively.
Disney would be interested in the deal to expand its international reach, the report added.