Murdoch’s Station Break

News Corp. is considering the sale of all its smaller stations -- representing a quarter of its station portfolio -- for as much as $800 million. Such a deal would relieve News Corp. of assets that aren't crucial to its high-margin, big-reach strategy, cut down on overhead, and simplify its operations. The targets are all Fox O&Os outside the top 25 markets. But “small” by News Corp.’s standards doesn't mean they’re all small towns. Included in the potential sale: Kansas City, Mo. (the 31st-largest TV market), Milwaukee (No. 32) and Salt Lake City (36). A sale would shrink Fox’s station count from 35 to 27.
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John M. Higgins]
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)

Update:
NEWS CORP SAYS NO TALKS TO SELL STATIONS
"We're not doing anything to loosen our world-wide grip of media domination," a spokesperson for News Corp said in response to a story yesterday about the possible sale of Fox broadcast TV stations in the US.
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6258363?display=Breaking+News&referral=SUPP
(free access for Benton's Headlines subscribers)