21st Century Fox is reportedly considering options to derail Sinclair Broadcast Group’s potential takeover of Tribune Media, despite not wanting to acquire the station group itself, according to Bloomberg.
In a report Friday, Bloomberg said Fox has been approached by parties interested in buying Tribune as part of a consortium including investor Starboard Value, which owns 4.4% of Tribune. Nexstar Media Group, which earlier this year closed its merger with Media General, is also considering a bid, Bloomberg said.
Although Fox isn’t interested in pursuing a Tribune acquisition, the company could influence a deal because it would have to approve the transfer of Tribune’s Fox affiliations to a new owner, according to Bloomberg. If Sinclair bought the group, it would own 28% of the country’s Fox affiliates, it said.
