LONDON, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- Acquisition talks between satellite broadcaster BSkyB and Easynet were to be confirmed Monday and will be closely watched by the British telecom industry.
London's Times said Sunday that the talks between the two firms have been ongoing as BSkyB, part of Rupert Murdoch's communications empire, seeks entrée into the growing broadband market in Britain.
Acquiring Easynet would also allow BSkyB to begin offering video on demand, which can't be done by satellite.
The Times noted that word of the possible deal pumped Easynet's stock higher on Friday and also raised the possibility that a rival company could come in and raise the bid for Easynet. In addition, BSkyB could have its eye on an Internet service provider in the United Kingdom.
