News Corp eyes Orange’s French pay TV channels

News Corp is eyeing the acquisition of France Telecom / Orange’s pay TV channels. This would be a significant step for Rupert Murdoch’s media company and would ramp up Murdoch’s interests in the country.

Currently, News Corp only operates a handful of Fox International Channel-owned networks in France including Nat Geo, but this move would give it access to Orange’s bouquet of five movie, sports and entertainment channels.

France Telecom CEO Stephane Richard is looking to sell the channels in the next few weeks and told local press that it is keen to concentrate on its core telephony business, rather than continue its feud with rival pay broadcaster Canal Plus.

Orange Cinema Series currently has a number of volume deals with the Hollywood studios including HBO, Warner Bros International Television Distribution and Disney Media Networks.