Rupert Murdoch Considering Purchase Of LA Times And Chicago Tribune

Now that Rupert Murdoch has been practically run out of the U.K. newspaper publishing business, it seems he wants to expand his holdings in the U.S. market. According to the Los Angeles Times, executives from Murdoch's News Corporation have held "preliminary talks" with the paper's debt holders. The Times is owned by Tribune Co., which also owns the Chicago Tribune. A report by Reuters kinda sorta plays down the rumor but also says the Times is "standing by" its report. Furthermore, FoxBusiness.com has an article saying Murdoch is "looking to buy" the LA Times.

Fox Business writes:

News Corp Chairman and CEO Rupert Murdoch is looking to buy the Los Angeles Times, one of the country's largest newspapers, from struggling media conglomerate Tribune Co, a source familiar with his plans told Reuters on Friday.

News Corp executives -- including Murdoch's son James -- flew into Los Angeles twice this month to take a preliminary look at the storied daily's books, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the meetings were not publicized.

Fortunately, there are regulatory hurdles for Murdoch to buy those papers and other parties are said to be interested as well.

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commented 2012-10-22 20:55:19 -0400 · Flag

Hm — did the LAT endorsement of President Obama/stern rebuke of Mitt Romney have anything to do with Rupert’s sudden interest?

“Republicans have sought to make the presidential election an up-or-down vote on Obama, hoping that voters will hold him accountable for the country’s stubbornly high unemployment and sluggish economy. But this election isn’t a referendum on one candidate, it’s a choice between two. And unfortunately for the GOP, its candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, has demonstrated clearly that he’s the wrong choice. He’s wrong on the issues, from immigration to tax policy to the use of American power to gay rights and beyond. And his shifting positions and willingness to pander have raised questions about who he is and what he stands for.

“The most troubling aspect of Romney’s candidacy is that we still don’t know what his principles are. Is he the relatively moderate Republican who was governor of Massachusetts, the “severely conservative” one on display in the GOP primaries or the more reasonable-sounding fellow who reappeared at the presidential debates? His modulating positions on his own tax plan, healthcare reform, financial regulation, Medicare, immigration and the national safety net add to the impression that the only thing he really stands for is his own election."

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/editorials/la-ed-end-president-20121021,0,3229774.story

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commented 2012-10-22 17:53:03 -0400 · Flag

Murdoch sez

Can I stuff a few more rags up my colon?!!

commented 2012-10-22 16:04:29 -0400 · Flag

The LA times’ website is by far one of the most quoted in stories about GOP wrongdoing. They’ve gotten so good at fact-checking in real time that other publications consider them THE top source for Republican scandals that isn’t a focus site.

Murdoch wants to shut them up, and have a publication with that level of cred for his agenda. They’re a two-for-one.

Chicago tribune is also a very good publication, they’re my #1 for debunking Fox News’ Chicago claims. While LAT is the superior publication, the Tribune is far more important to their anti-Obama agenda.

Once again… two-for-one.

commented 2012-10-22 13:44:20 -0400 · Flag

If the LA Times is sold to Murdoch my subscription will be cancelled the next day. I think I can safely speak for millions of other readers in LA as well.

commented 2012-10-22 10:10:33 -0400 · Flag

Memo to the editors and reporters for the LA Times and Chicago Tribune: Bend over and smile. You are about to be Rupertized. Ask your friends at the WSJ how it feels.

commented 2012-10-22 07:48:23 -0400 · Flag

The Sunday Tribune had a big feature story about the ‘HOT’ race between Tammy Duckworth and the moron Joe Walsh. Among the other dreck were the nuggets saying that Walsh had worked so hard to improve his image that his former issues with being a deadbeat dad, and other financial problems hardly come up any more. And Tammy would NOT have a cakewalk even though the Dems’ redistricting had gifted her with a largely Democratic district.
It’s not like the Trib has ever been a bastion of truth and fairness. It has always been a conservative rag, and I fully expect them to endorse Romney.

commented 2012-10-22 04:17:43 -0400 · Flag

Well, well, well..Ruthless Rupy wants to increase his control of the world’s media. There’s one problem..the old man has competition.

Before you read this article, grab a bag of popcorn and a cold drink. This will be entertaining.

The One with the Most Money Wins

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20121019/NEWS06/121019734/san-diego-developer-eyes-purchase-of-tribune

Let the games begin.

NOTE TO RUPY

From what we hear of Doug Manchester, aka, Papa Doug, he’s the last person you want to tangle with, old man. For the first time in your miserable life, you will face someone who will take you down in a heartbeat.

commented 2012-10-22 03:53:18 -0400 · Flag

@AAP: looks as though they should be in violation of a law aimed at preventing the creation of information oligopolies. If there are no laws to protect plurality of information, the First Amendment will exist only on paper because contrary views will systematically be ignored if not actually silenced.

commented 2012-10-22 01:36:31 -0400 · Flag

I’m surprised he isn’t also buying up The San Gabriel Vally Tribune, Highlander, and The Penny Saver. Ya gotta cover all the bases.

commented 2012-10-21 22:07:31 -0400 · Flag

Don’t you dare touch my LA Times. You screwed up my Dodgers when you bought them from the O’Malley family and then put the team in a tailspin by trading Mike Piazza, then selling the team to Frank McCourt.

You’ve done enough damage to LA. You’re worse than smog, earthquakes and traffic. Go away.