Koch Brothers eye L.A. Times, other Tribune newspapers: sources
(Reuters) - Charles and David Koch, two of the world's richest men, are interested in Tribune's newspaper assets, which include the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune, according to sources familiar with situation. Earlier on Tuesday, L.A. Weekly reported that the Koch brothers were rumored to be interested in either all of the Tribune company, which includes 23 TV stations and national cable network WGN American, or the Tribune newspapers. The report also cited "another rumor" from a Los Angeles Times editorial board member that the Koch brothers are helping U-T San Diego newspaper owner Doug Manchester finance a bid.
UK hacking arrests spread beyond Murdoch papers
LONDON (Reuters) - Police arrested four former editors from the Sunday Mirror tabloid on Thursday - the first journalists from a newspaper outside Rupert Murdoch's News Corp to be detained in a phone hacking scandal that shocked Britain. Shares in Trinity Mirror fell 21 percent, wiping over 60 million pounds ($90 million) off its value after police said they were looking into a suspected conspiracy at its Mirror Group between 2003 and 2004 to intercept telephone voicemails.
DirecTV drops out of bidding for Vivendi's GVT
(Reuters) - DirecTV, the largest U.S. satellite television provider has decided to end its pursuit of Vivendi's GVT, complicating the sale of the Brazilian telecommunications operator. A DirecTV spokesman confirmed on Thursday that the company chose to "not to move forward in its pursuit of GVT and has withdrawn from the process."
Apollo aims to sell stake in India's Dish TV: sources
MUMBAI (Reuters) - Private equity firm Apollo Global Management LLC is in talks to sell its 11 percent stake in India's largest direct-to-home service operator Dish TV India Ltd, two sources with direct knowledge of the development told Reuters on Wednesday. Apollo, which manages about $113 billion globally, has hired Swiss bank UBS to manage the sale, the sources said.
Kroenke Sports wrestles Outdoor Channel from InterMedia
(Reuters) - Cable network Outdoor Channel Holdings Inc agreed to be acquired by Kroenke Sports & Entertainment LLC for about $8.75 per share in cash, nearly four months after it accepted an $8.00 offer from Leo Hindery's InterMedia Outdoors Holdings LLC. Outdoor Channel shares were down 1.4 percent at $8.72 on the Nasdaq in early trading on Wednesday.
HMV rescue deal expected by the end of March: source
LONDON (Reuters) - Administrators at British entertainment retailer HMV will push to secure a rescue deal for the firm before a big quarterly rent bill becomes due at the end of March, a source familiar with the situation told Reuters. The 92-year-old firm was forced to appoint Deloitte to find a buyer for all or parts of the business in January, after succumbing to a decline in CD, DVD and video game markets as well as increasing competition from supermarkets and online rivals.
Venezuela opposition TV channel says accepts buyout offer
CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuelan opposition TV channel Globovision said on Monday it had accepted a buyout offer, calling its operations financially and politically unfeasible after rows with the government and high inflation. The sale of Globovision, the only openly anti-government media channel, will occur after an April presidential election. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Exclusive: MGM board expected to discuss IPO at March 18 meeting
(Reuters) - The board of MGM, the storied Hollywood studio that exited bankruptcy in 2010, will discuss a long-awaited initial stock offering when it meets on March 18 amid indications that debt-holders who control the company may be nearing a decision to file. MGM told investors it will release year-end numbers to investors on March 18 at 7:30 pm EST after the board meeting, and would hold a conference call the next day to explain the results and its current thinking on an IPO, according to three people with knowledge of the communication.
Boston Phoenix closes down, tweets 'Good Night and Good Luck'
By Brent Lang LOS ANGELES (TheWrap.com) - "Thank you Boston. Good night and good luck."
WhaleShark Media changes name, buys Dutch coupon company
AUSTIN, Texas (Reuters) - Online coupon company WhaleShark Media said it was changing its name to RetailMeNot and acquiring the leading online coupon site in Holland, Actiepagina.nl. The acquisition marks RetailMeNot's fourth in Europe, in addition to online-coupon companies VoucherCodes in the United Kingdom; Poulpeo in France; and Deals.com in Germany.
