国际英语新闻：Media tycoon Murdoch in multi-billion dollar bid to buy BSkyB

LONDON, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch has made a bid for the whole of BritishSkyBroadcasting (BSkyB) through his News Corporation arm, in a deal which could be worth up to 10 billion pounds (about 16 billion U.S. dollars), the Daily Telegraph reported Tuesday.

News Corporation already owns 39.1 percent of BSkyB, the major satellite broadcaster in Britain, but its initial offer of 6.75 pounds (about 10.8 dollars) per share on June 10 for the remaining 61.9 percent was rejected by BSkyB, which said the offer undervalued the company.

The bid was raised to 7 pounds (11.2 dollars), but this too didn't satisfy BSkyB, which said in a statement that it will consider bids over 8 pounds (12.8 dollars).

News Corp Chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch gestures while discussing "the future of journalism" at a "Kalb Report" discussion with journalist Marvin Kalb at the National Press Club in Washington, April 6, 2010.

The 7 pound/share bid would value BSkyB at about 7.8 billion pounds (about 12 billion dollars).

BSkyB's senior independent director Nicholas Ferguson said, "Based on careful review and advice, it is the unanimous view of the independent directors that there is a significant gap between the proposal from News Corporation and the value of the company."