Murdoch-Malone deal is glimpse at the future

MURDOCH-MALONE DEAL IS GLIMPSE AT THE FUTURE
[SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter, AUTHOR: Diane Mermigas]
Rupert Murdoch's willingness to relinquish News Corp.'s hard-won controlling interest in DirecTV in order to fend off a potential threat from John Malone's Liberty Media is indicative of a new industry dealmaking mind-set that will result in the restructuring and even dismantling of media companies in the coming years. The trading of major assets and the restructuring of major media conglomerates will run deep and long during the next 18 months as players reposition themselves in a digital marketplace governed by new rules. If Murdoch has cooled on DirecTV's distribution magic since acquiring its controlling interest less than three years ago, it is because of his impatience with how long and how much money it will take to make the satellite platform more competitive with cable and telephone companies by giving it broadband interactivity through a partnership with a wireless provider.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/columns/mermigas_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003123897