Murdoch-led group buys pay-per-view TV firm

A group of investors headed by Mr Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation is buying an Italian pay-per-view TV firm for €1 billion…

A group of investors headed by Mr Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation is buying an Italian pay-per-view TV firm for €1 billion.

Mr Murdoch has signed the Stg£646 million deal to acquire Telepiu from Vivendi Universal.

News Corporation said in a statement: "Approximately €400 million will be reimbursed (to News Corporation) for certain future Italian Serie A soccer broadcast rights."

It said a further €100 million will be paid when the sale of two terrestrial licences by Vivendi is completed.

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The statement said the deal is subject to a number of conditions, including the completion of regulatory approvals and the agreement of other parties.