Rupert Murdoch appears close to settling a long-running dispute with American media tycoon John Malone in an asset and cash deal worth $US4.7 billion ($6.5 billion).
Analysts say Mr. Murdoch could sell six US television stations to Mr. Malone's Liberty Media and offer $US 3.5 billion in cash in exchange for Liberty's 190 million voting shares and 25 per cent of its non-voting scrip in News Corp.
Mr. Murdoch has told The Australian Financial Review that negotiations with Mr Malone had become "more substantial".
It makes sense for this deal to get done. And as we've said in the past, it should have gotten done a long, long time ago. At times it feels like watch grass grow or paint dry.
But I'm hopeful it will prove worth the wait.
NWS 1-yr chart:
