Comcast Corp. is the latest company to join the pursuit of Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox media assets, including Fox's movie studio, cable channels and t international operations, according to two people familiar with the move.
Comcast already owns NBCUniversal, so buying Fox's entertainment assets would make it a dominant media company. Walt Disney Co. engaged in similar talks with the Murdoch family, but those discussions broke off.
The Comcast conversations are in a preliminary stage, according to two people knowledgeable about the talks who were not authorized to discuss the situation.
Other bidders appear to be circling, including Verizon and possibly Amazon.com.
Comcast is particularly interested in Fox's international assets, including its stake in European pay-TV Sky and Fox's Star television service in India, according to the two people. They said NBCUniversal has a much smaller international presence, so Fox's global assets are particularly attractive.
Comcast would be interested in buying the 20th Century Fox movie and television studio, cable channels such as National Geographic, FX and Fox's sports networks, the people said.
