Disney has offered to buy Sky News to help Rupert Murdoch push through his £11.7bn takeover of Sky by allaying fears he will control too much of the UK news media.
Disney has “expressed interest” in buying Sky News, a move that would clear media plurality concerns and pave the way for its own $66bn (£47bn) takeover of most of Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox, including all of Sky.
Sky has previously warned it could close Sky News if Fox were unable to gain regulatory clearance for its takeover bid.
Disney, which has called Sky a “crown jewel” Fox asset, said it would “agree to sustain the operating capital of Sky News and maintain its editorial independence”.