Fox set to make £25bn bid for Sky

RUPERT Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox is poised to raise its offer for Sky to £25bn, it was claimed last night.

The bid would aim to see off rival Comcast, the owner of Universal Studios, which has sought to derail Fox’s takeover of the 61pc of Sky it does not already own.

Fox’s offer would be the first it has made since its original bid of £11.7bn for Sky in December 2016. Since then the satellite broadcaster’s shares have jumped 45pc, however, and Comcast has swooped in with a £22bn counter-bid.

Fox could table its offer this week if its takeover attempt is given final approval by the Government, the Financial Times reported.

The deal is seen as a crucial step by Fox as it tries to close an even bigger, £54bn deal with Disney. It has promised its entertainment assets to Disney, including Sky, but Comcast is also vying for the businesses.

Last night 21st Century Fox did not respond to a request to comment.