Renowned deal maker Mr Mel Karmazin, chairman of broadcast giant CBS Corporation, said yesterday he wanted to buy rival NBC, an unprecedented deal that would require an overhaul of rules governing the television industry.

Mr Karmazin, speaking at a media conference, said he would be willing to "overpay" for the General Electric unit.

NBC, which has been grappling with the loss of the blockbuster TV show Seinfeld and the lucrative National Football League broadcasts, is a natural fit for CBS and a deal is not out of the question considering the record mergers and acquisitions sweeping through corporate America, he said.

Mr Karmazin, who has reportedly made similar comments about buying a network before, said: "If Exxon and Mobil can combine, then why can't I buy NBC?"

A spokesman for NBC, which analysts have rumoured might be spun off from the GE conglomerate declined comment on Mr Karmazin's interest.